he left behind him the
manner of using exorcisms, by which they drive away demons, so that they
never return; and this method of cure is of great force unto this day;
for I have seen a certain man of my own country, whose name was Eleazar,
releasing people that were demoniacal in the presence of Vespasian, and
his sons, and his captains, and the whole multitude of his soldiers.
The manner of the cure was this: He put a ring that had a Foot of one of
those sorts mentioned by Solomon to the nostrils of the demoniac, after
which he drew out the demon through his nostrils; and when the man fell
down immediately, he abjured him to return into him no more, making
still mention of Solomon, and reciting the incantations which he
composed. And when Eleazar would persuade and demonstrate to the
spectators that he had such a power, he set a little way off a cup or
basin full of water, and commanded the demon, as he went out of the man,
to overturn it, and thereby to let the spectators know that he had left
the man; and when this was done, the skill and wisdom of Solomon was
shown very manifestly: for which reason it is, that all men may know the
vastness of Solomon's abilities, and how he was beloved of God, and that
the extraordinary virtues of every kind with which this king was endowed
may not be unknown to any people under the sun for this reason, I say,
it is that we have proceeded to speak so largely of these matters.

6. Moreover Hiram, king of Tyre, when he had heard that Solonion
succeeded to his father's kingdom, was very glad of it, for he was a
friend of David's. So he sent ambassadors to him, and saluted him, and
congratulated him on the present happy state of his affairs. Upon which
Solomon sent him an epistle, the contents of which here follow:

Solomon To King Hiram.

"[5]Know thou that my father would have built a temple to God, but was
hindered by wars, and continual expeditions; for he did not leave off
to overthrow his enemies till he made them all subject to tribute. But I
give thanks to God for the peace I at present enjoy, and on that account
I am at leisure, and design to build a house to God, for God foretold
to my father that such a house should be built by me; wherefore I desire
thee to send some of thy subjects with mine to Mount Lebanon to cut down
timber, for the Sidonians are more skillful than our people in cutting
of wood. As for wages to the hewers of wood, I will pay whatsoever price
thou shal