The Testament of Solomon and other works

King Solomon painting by Gustave Dore


Firstly, I would like to apologize. This and things like this are the only pieces of literature I’ve read outside of a class for the past and of my own volition in the past six or so years. Now, on with the blog.

Now, I think, technically, the fandom around this piece of literature would be considered a religion, however, I’m considering it Jewish mythology. Also, what is religion other than an overwhelming and often toxic widespread fandom?



Portrait of King Solomon by Nicolas Caussin


Now, the stories of King Solomon originate from Jewish mythology. King Solomon, being the son of King David and one of the rulers of the Kingdom of Isreal. He also commissioned the First Temple of Jerusalem, also known as the Temple of Solomon. He's also known for being one of the horniest people in history, having 1000 lovers: 700 wives and 300 concubines. While King Solomon is considered a canon figure in Jewish tradition, many of the stories about and surrounding him are considered to be pseudepigraphical. While disregarded by the Jews, these stories have penetrated parts of modern culture, specifically the Higher and Lesser Keys of Solomon. These tomes made way for many forms of modern witchcraft, and while they’re not widely used today, Solomon’s “mystical figures” are just sigils, and older sigils like these aren’t commonly used anymore. Most people who come across The Testament of Solomon don’t actively practice magic, however, there are religions that practice similar traditions and have parallel ideas. Nevertheless, the stories of King Solomon and his demonic escapades are just that, stories. But they’re really cool stories.



King Solomon & The Black Goddess by Natalia Smirnova

To explain: The legend goes that King Solomon, using a ring he was given by the archangel Michael, had the ability to trap and extort demons. Solomon traps 72 demons that range from one who strangles Aquarius men who like Virgo women to the devil himself. They also all have little origin stories, like some come from angels or archangels and some come from one of the seven deadly sins. They really covered all of their bases. Solomon also spends a good amount of time in the story trying to get Beelzebub to bring forth his own son, which at the end of the story, Beelzebub eventually does. The last demon Solomon calls upon, Abezithibod, warns of the end of the world. He claims to have been the one who parted the Red Sea and has been trapped in the Red Sea under this pillar since then and he can’t leave because the pillar falling will enact the end of the world. Then, God found out about all the demonic stuff Solomon was doing and took the holy spirit out of Solomon.


Moral of the story: if you mess with demons, don’t let God find out.










Bonus Content: not even dead kings can escape Tumblr incorrect quotes.







Works Cited

Caussin, Nicolas. “Portrait of King Solomon.” Pitts Digital Image Archive | Emory University, 17th, pitts.emory.edu/dia/image_details.cfm?ID=115344.

Conybeare, F., Peterson, J. and Turner, R., 2021. [ebook] Available at: <http://www.lastgasps.com/Solomon_-_The_Testament_Key_and_Legematon_of_Solomon_(unabridged).pdf> [Accessed 5 August 2019].

Dore, Gustave. “King Solomon Drawing By Gustave Dore.” Fine Art America, 19 Feb. 2019, fineartamerica.com/featured/king-solomon-drawing-by-gustave-dore-gustave-dore.html.

Smirnova, Natalia. “King Solomon & the Black Goddess.” Tumblr, saint-of-the-pit, 15 Jan. 2016, saint-of-the-pit.tumblr.com/post/137332450583/artwork-by-natalia-smirnova-the-second-image.

“1000 vs 1.” Tumblr, Diabelosa, 2 Dec. 2020, diabelosa.tumblr.com/post/636340426990927872/1000-vs-1.