Editing Testament of Solomon (section)

== Contents ==
{{See also|Seal of Solomon}}
When a demon named Ornias harasses a young man (who is favored by Solomon) by stealing half of his pay and sucking out his vitality through the thumb on his right hand, Solomon prays in the temple and receives from the [[archangel]] [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]] a [[magic ring]] (Containing the name that brings all demons Into subjection, Ahayah Ashar Ahayah) (as quoted as the Highest name of God according to the masons as well as the illuminatist) which Did enable him to command the demons. Solomon has the young man throw the ring at the demon Ornias, which stamps him with the seal and brings him under control. Then Solomon orders the demon Ornias to take the ring and similarly imprint the prince of demons, [[Beelzebub|Beelzebul]].

With Beelzebul under his command, Solomon now has all of the demons at his bidding to build the temple. Beelzebul reveals that he was formerly the highest ranking angel in Heaven.

In chapter 18, the demons of the 36 [[decans]] appear, with names that sometimes seem to be conscious distortions of the traditional names for the decans.<ref>Dekane und Dekansterbilder by Wilhelm Gundel, pub. J.J. Augustin, Glückstadt und Hamburg, 1936, pp.49-62, 77-81</ref><ref>Conybeare, F.C. ''The Testament of Solomon'', The Jewish Quarterly Review, Vol. 11, No. 1, (Oct.,1898)p. 6-8</ref> The decan demons claim responsibility mostly for various ailments and pains, and they provide the magical formulae by which they may be banished. For example, the thirty-third demon is Rhyx Achoneoth who causes [[pharyngitis|sore throat]] and [[tonsilitis]] and can be driven off by writing the word ''Lycourgos'' on [[ivy]] leaves and heaping them into a pile.

Solomon's final demon encounter involves sending a servant boy with his ring to take captive a wind demon who is harassing the land of [[Arabia]]. The boy is to hold a wineskin against the wind with the ring in front of it, and then tie up the bag when it is full. The boy succeeds in his task and returns with the wineskin. The imprisoned demon calls himself Ephippas, and it is by his power that a cornerstone, thought to be too large to lift, is raised into the entrance of the temple.

Then Ephippas and another demon from the [[Red Sea]] bring a miraculous [[column]] made of something purple (translation obscure) from out of the Red Sea. This Red Sea demon reveals himself as [[Abezethibou]], and claims to be the demon who supported the [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] magicians against [[Moses]], and who hardened the [[pharaoh]]'s heart, but had been caught with the Egyptian host when the sea returned and held down by this pillar until Ephippas came and together they could lift it.

There follows a short conclusion in which Solomon describes how he fell in love with a [[Shunammite]] woman, and agreed to worship [[Remphan]] and [[Moloch]] in exchange for sex.<ref>From {{bibleverse||Acts|7:43|45}}, a reference to {{bibleverse||Amos|5:25-27|45}}</ref> Solomon agrees to [[sacrifice]] to them, but at first only sacrifices five [[locusts]] by simply crushing them in his hand. Immediately, the spirit of God departs from him, and he is made foolish and his name becomes a joke to both humans and demons. Solomon concludes his text with a warning to the readers; he tells them to not abandon their beliefs for sex like he did.