[73] The "Great Name" (in Arabic, _El-Ism el-Aazam_, "the
Most Great Name"), by means of which King David was
saved from a cruel death, as above, is often employed in
Eastern romances for the rescue of the hero from deadly
peril, as well as to enable him to perform supernatural
exploits. It was generally engraved on a signet-ring,
but sometimes it was communicated orally to the
fortunate hero by a holy man, or by a king of the
genii--who was, of course, a good Muslim.
Of Solomon the Wise there are, of course, many curious rabbinical
legends. His reputation for superior sagacity extended over all the
world, and the wisest men of other nations came humbly to him as pupils.
It would appear that this great monarch was not less willing to afford
the poorest of his subjects the benefit of his advice when they applied
to him than able to solve the knottiest problem which the most
keen-witted casuist could propound. One morning a man, whose life was
embittered by a froward, shrewish wife, left his house to seek the
advice of Solomon. On the road he overtook another man, with whom he
entered into conversation, and presently learned that he was also going
to the king's palace. "Pray, friend," said he, "what might be your
business with the king? I am going to ask him how I should manage a wife
who has long been froward.
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