The Testament of Solomon (Kinda)

The boy favored by Solomon and Ornias the Demon

Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel ruled wisely as many artisans crafted a temple of God. When it had come time for Solomon to pay his artisans at the end of the day, a young boy, liked by the king, had his turn. The exchange had gone like all the others and neither said anything. He had given the boy extra gold since he was favoured by Solomon but something was a little off about him. The young man had been getting thinner and thinner each day despite getting paid more than all the others.

The next day comes and it goes like all the others, the artisans arrive, they work until they are due for pay, they leave. However, this time Solomon asked the young boy, "Why are you so thin child? I pay you more gold and give you more food than all the other artisans. What is happening?"

"A demon..." the child said slowly

"It comes every night and takes away half my pay and half my food. It then sucks the nutrients out of my body. Your majesty please help me..."

"I shall pray to the Lord, he will be delivered to my control. Come with me." Solomon gestured at a guard to finish paying the workers and took the boy to a temple.

When they arrived, Solomon told the child to kneel and pray as he did. While they prayed a warm light had fallen over them and they heard the beat of wings. "You who are faithful to Lord may arise your head and look upon me." Said a gentle voice. Solomon and the boy both looked up. "I am Archangel Michael, I have brought a gift of God." Archangel Michael opened his palm revealing a small ring with a pentagram engraved in it.

"Son of David and King of Israel, Solomon take upon this ring. With it you shall control all demons of the Earth, and with their help you shall build up Jerusalem."

Solomon grasped the ring from the palm of the descended Angel's warm hands and said "Thank you great servant of the Lord. Thank you, holy Lord. Amen."

With a beat of the Archangel's wings he soared back to heaven with no other words. Solomon was overjoyed, he praised and glorified the Lord many times over. When he was done he handed the boy the ring and said "Take this ring and at the hour of the demons arrival throw it at the chest of the demon and say to it: 'In the name of God, King Solomon calls thee hither.' and then come running to me without listening to the demon's words." And he dismissed the boy.

When the hour was right the demon burst from devilish flames into the young boy's room. The boy had been faking his sleep so that when the demon arrived he could surprise it. He jumped out of his bed while the demon was collecting his money and threw the ring at it and yelled "In the name of God, King Solomon calls thee hither!" When it collided with the demon, the demon let out a great howl of agony and pain. It dropped the gold it held in its twisted hand and fell on the floor. The child and ran out of his house to Solomon, the demon had no choice to follow as he was now bound to the ring's command. The demon pleaded "Child, why have you done this? Take this ring off me, and I will grant you all the gold, silver and food you could ever wish for. Simply take this ring off of me and you will have more might than Solomon himself!" The child ignored the demons promises and replied "As long as Lord God lives, I won't set you free! So, come follow." And went rejoicing to the king, and said "I have brought the demon, King of Israel, as you commanded me! Behold, he stands before the gates of your palace court, crying in pain and pleading to fruitless promises."

When Solomon had heard this, he rose from his throne and went outside to the court of his palace and saw the demon in terrible fear and agony. And he said to the demon, "Who are you, demon of hell?"

"I- I am Ornias." Replied the demon with its trembling voice.