Page:Legends of Old Testament Characters.djvu/362

340 The queen of the ants, who, till this moment, had not seen a man, was filled with fear when she beheld Solomon, and she cried to her host, "Hie to your holes, fly!"

But God commanded her not to fear, and to summon all her subjects, and to anoint Solomon king of all insects. Solomon, who heard the words of God, and the answer of the queen from a distance of many miles, borne to him upon the wind, descended into the valley beside the queen. Immediately the whole valley was filled with ants, as far as the eye could see.

Solomon asked the queen, "Why didst thou fear me, being surrounded with such a countless and mighty host?"

"I fear God alone," answered the queen; "if any danger were to threaten my subjects, at a sign from me seven times as many would instantly appear."

"Wherefore then didst thou command the ants to fly to their holes when I appeared?"

"Because I feared they would look with wonder and reverence on thee, and thereby for a moment forget their Creator."

"I am greater than thou," added the queen of the ants.

"How so?" asked Solomon in surprise.

"Because thou hast a metal throne, but my throne is thy hand, on which I now repose," said the ant.

"Before I leave thee, hast thou no word to say to me?"

"I ask nothing of thee, but I give thee a piece of advice. As long as thou livest, give not occasion to be ashamed of thy name, which signifies The Blameless. Beware also never to give the ring from thy finger, without saying first, 'In the name of the God of all mercy.'"

Solomon exclaimed, "Lord! Thy kingdom exceeds and excels mine!" and he bade farewell to the queen of the ants.

After Solomon had visited Damascus, he returned another way, so as not to disturb the ants in their pious contemplation. As he returned, he heard a cry on the wind, "O God of Abraham, release me from life!" Solomon hastened in the direction of the voice, and found a very aged man, who said he was more than three hundred years old, and that he had asked God to suffer him to live, till there arose a mighty prophet in the land.