The Solomon Key

by Shawn Hopkins

  “Athens County. It is about ninety miles southeast of here, near West Virginia.”

  West Virginia. Wasn’t that where they said the CIA wanted to take him? To that DARPA facility?

  The red BMW continued ahead of them, its brake lights yet to shine through the morning sunlight, and by the time Scott set one of the old books on his lap, the landscape outside the window had already gone from city to suburb and was now making the transition to rare farmland.

  Book of Tobit, chapter 3.

  There was a summarization of the text before a verse-by-verse translation spilled over onto the next two pages. Scott skipped through it, paying attention only to words that were either underlined or circled, presumably by the priest. He found a few references made to the Testament of Solomon scribbled beside the body of the text and then an excerpt from Milton’s Paradise Lost:

  Better pleased

  Than Asmodeus with the fishy fume

  That drove him, though enamoured, from the spouse

  Of Tobit’s son, and with a vengeance sent

  From Media post to Egypt, there fast bound.

  - Paradise Lost , iv. 167-71.

  Scott ran his finger down a list of names that followed Milton’s excerpt. In the margin near the top of the list was written its explanation.

  References to the Catholic authenticity of Tobias.

  The list started with St. Polycarp and a date. AD 117. Next to it read,

  Cites Tobit 4:10 and 12:9 (Ad Philippenses).

  That’s how the whole page was laid out. A name, a date, and the references used.

  Deutero-Clement, St. Clement of Alexandria, Origen, St. Athanasius, St. Cyprian, St. Ambrose...

  Tobias was present in Old Latin Version from AD 150 until replaced by Jerome’s Vulgate. Earliest canonical lists contain Tobias (Council of Hippo, Councils of Carthage, St. Innocent I, St Augustine). Fourth and fifth century Septuagint manuscripts contain Tobias. Council of Trent confirmed canonicity of Tobias (April 8, 1546) as well as Vatican (April 24, 1870).

  Scott looked up from the pages and stole a glance back at Mayhew. He appeared to be sleeping.

  “You read this thing?” Scott asked, turning his attention to Malachi.

  Malachi looked over. “I am familiar with Tobit.”

  “So why do you think Mr. Smith wanted me to read it?”

  But Malachi only shrugged. “His name was Benjamin by the way.”

  “Did he know the priest?”

  Malachi nodded. “Very well.”

  Scott was confused. “Did they share the same—”

  “The priest was Catholic. Obviously there existed differences of opinion. But as far as the ring was concerned, they wanted the same thing.”

  “For it to disappear.”

  “To keep it from the wrong hands.”

  “And whose hands are those?” Scott asked.

  “Everyone else’s.”

  He thought about it, and some dots began to connect. “The priest was working with Benjamin.”

  “Yes.”

  “Against Daniel.”

  He nodded. “Daniel was a Zionist. He wanted to use the ring as a means to reestablish Israel, to bring the Messiah.”

  Scott touched his sore head. “And you think the idea is blasphemous?”

  “Like Benjamin told you, some of us Jews are still hoping in a future prophetic fulfillment, and we see all these human efforts as simply delaying it.”

  Scott was about to bring up the seeming contradiction that was bothering him when Mayhew’s voice suddenly entered the discussion.

  “I don’t understand, the Zionist movement seems to be the process of prophetic fulfillment.”

  Malachi’s eyes rose to the rear-view mirror. “We do not believe in any process. We believe that Messiah will return and do all things at once. Our Zionist brothers, both secular and religious, are planning on destroying the Dome of the Rock and building another Temple there. But the Temple they build will have to be destroyed in order for Messiah to build His Temple when He comes. The Temples that have already stood in Jerusalem have fallen victim to God’s judgment, and if another Temple is to be built, it too will face the same end. Perhaps our conquest to gain back what God has taken from us is the very grounds for such punishment.”

  Mayhew leaned back again. “So Daniel was working for Benjamin, and the priest was working for Benjamin, but Daniel and the priest were working against each other?”

  “Benjamin was a top ranking Mossad agent whose orders came from the secular state of Israel. All Mossad agents work for the secular state. But there have developed religious cliques within the agency, cliques not all in agreement with the direction the secularists wish to take us. But the religious factions are in disagreement with each other too. Daniel reported to Benjamin but was acting according to his own interests, not aware that Benjamin had his own agenda. That was the priest’s role, to keep an eye on Daniel and his findings.”

  The car was silent for two miles.

  Finally, Mayhew asked, “Who are we going to see?”

  “His name is Isaiah. He knew Benjamin.”

  “Jewish?”

  A nod. “Messianic Jew.”

  Mayhew squinted. “I thought the Orthodox considered Messianic Jews to be heretics and apostates.”

  “They do. The relationship Benjamin and Isaiah shared was unique. They did not let their religious differences interfere with the love they had for each other.” Malachi saw the startled looks and quickly shook his head. “They were brothers.” And then he set his eyes back on the road and drove on in silence.

  After a moment of staring out the window in consideration, Scott returned his gaze to the book in his lap and started reading where he’d left off.

  Testament of Solomon

  Book of Tobit

  Haggadic Legend

  The Asmodeus in TESTAMENT and the Asmodeus in TOBIT seem to be the same as the “Ashmedai” of rabbinical literature. The Haggadah relates that Solomon did not know how to shape the blocks of marble without using an iron tool (Ex 20:25,26). His wise men urged him to obtain the “Shamir” (a worm that could cleave rocks). But not even the demons knew where the Shamir could be found. However, they reasoned that Ashmedai (Asmodeus), King of the Demons, knew of the place. So they (the demons) told Solomon of the mountain where Ashmedai dwelt and the manner of life he conducted there…

  Scott skimmed down past the plot to capture the demon, his eyes scanning the text until captivated by some severe underlining.

  Solomon sends BENAIAH ben Jehoiadah to capture Ashmedai (Asmodeus). He gives Benaiah a chain with a ring on it (some translations say it was engraved with the Tetragrammaton). Then Benaiah pours wine into the demon’s water well and makes him drunk. Once he has fallen into a deep sleep, Benaiah throws the chain around his neck and says, “The Name of thy Lord is upon thee.”

  -Connection of Solomon with magical ring is first documented by Josephus, who also describes him as a magician (Ant. 8.2.5).

  Scott had no idea what all this meant, except that it sounded similar to what was in the Testament. “Do you know what this says?” he asked Malachi.

  Benjamin’s death was weighing heavily on Malachi, and it was through a softer, more sullen voice that he answered. “I know the gist of it.”

  “Do you know about this Benaiah guy and the ring Solomon gave him?”

  “Nothing more than what is in Tobit.”

  “The priest underlined it…”

  “Keep reading, Mr. Scott.” He sighed and leaned to his left, putting his weight against the door.

  “You okay?” Scott asked.

  “Fine.”

  Scott went back to reading.

  Solomon tells the demon that he only wants the worm, and Ashmedai (Asmodeus) reveals its location. However, he remains with Solomon until the Temple is completed. Solomon then says to Ashmedai that he does not understand the greatness of demons if their king can be bound by a mere mortal. Ashmedai responds to this by sugge
sting that Solomon remove the chain and lend him the magic ring. Then would he reveal to Solomon his greatness. Solomon agrees to this, and the demon stands with one wing touching heaven and the other reaching earth before he snatches up Solomon (who had parted with his protective ring) and flings him 400 parasangs away from Jerusalem. From that point on, Ashmedai poses as Solomon in his stead.

  After wandering for a long time, Solomon eventually returns to reclaim the throne, telling his story to the people. At first, they think him mad. And then they begin to consider the strange behavior the king had recently exhibited, for his marital affairs were no longer being kept in accordance with Jewish law, and not even Benaiah was permitted in his presence. Solomon is then provided with another ring and when he appears before Ashmedai with it, the imposter takes flight.

  Then there were written some words that Scott couldn’t decipher, and his head seemed to throb even more. He flipped through the rest of the book just to see how much further he had to read. It looked like there were only four or five pages left, so he took a deep breath and pressed on.

  Midrash Tehillim 78:351-353; Midrash Al-Yithallel (Sefer ah-Likkutim I, 20-22, ed. Gruenhut); Midrash Sir HaShirim 29a-30a; B.Berakhot 6a; Zohar III, 309a; Emek ha-Melekh, 12. Adolf Jellinek’s Beth ha-Midrasch. Maasebuch.

  He figured they were references to what followed — more Jewish folklore.

  Ashmedai throws Solomon’s ring into the sea in hopes that no one finds it and discovers his true identity. Meanwhile, Solomon finds himself in a field, his appearance that of a merchant. He wanders the countryside as a beggar and cries out declarations that he was once the king of Israel. People think he is crazy, children throw stones at him. For three years, Solomon wanders foreign lands until he comes to Ammon and is hired as a cook. There he falls in love with the King’s daughter, and the King expels them both into the wilderness, not wishing to see their forbidden love or their deaths. They come to the seashore and buy a fish, and when they cut it open, Solomon’s ring is found in it. He puts it on and his rags are instantly turned to velvet. So he goes back to Jerusalem and shows the king’s ministers the ring. Then he confronts the demon posing as him, and the demon flees back to his mountain. Solomon then marries the king of Ammon’s daughter, and she gives birth to Rehoboam.

  -Other legends tell of the Sanhedrin giving Solomon another ring once they believed it was not Solomon sitting on the throne.

  There was a loose piece of paper resting between the last two pages, just as there had been loose pieces in the Testament. And, like the ones in the other book, they seemed to be filled with random notes: references to Josephus, something about Mormonism, the Talmud, Kabbalah, and five-pointed stars… There was a bright star floating in a triangle that was surrounded by more roses, “Blazing Star” written across what appeared to be a sketch of the American flag. The phrase “as above, so below” was sketched in a pool of water, the number 007 hovering beside it. There was a statue that the priest had ascribed the word Destiny to sitting over a line labeled “Pennsylvania Avenue — the hypotenuse of the Federal Triangle.” There were six stars arched over the statue’s head. And then there was the crucifix, standing in front of the double-headed phoenix again…

  Scott closed the book and took another look at the passing scenery. They were getting into the mountains now. He closed his eyes and tried to forget about the books in his lap, the ring, the Resistance sitting in the back seat, and the Mossad driving their stolen car.

  Ten minutes later, his eyes snapped open. His brain, while subconsciously working the text, realized something.

  According to the priest’s books… there were two rings.

  30

  Malachi turned the Mustang onto a dirt road and pulled up alongside a modest looking house on their right.

  “This it?” Scott asked, leaning forward.

  “Yeah,” Malachi answered.

  But the BMW they were following continued on past the house and disappeared behind a trail of rising dust.

  Mayhew sat up straight in the back seat. “Where are they going?”

  “To the rendezvous point.” Looking over at Scott, he said, “I am sorry about your friend, that we couldn’t do more to help her.”

  Scott winced at the sting he felt. “Me too.”

  Malachi pulled a phone out of his pocket and handed it to him. “You can use this to reach us. Just hold down the number one key. Only use it once, then get rid of it.”

  Scott held it for a second before reluctantly slipping it into his pocket. “What do we tell this guy?”

  “Tell him that Benjamin sent you and show him the priest’s books. He will believe you.”

  “And what exactly is it that we’re supposed to learn from him?”

  “That is up to him, I guess.”

  “Right,” he mumbled while pushing open the door.

  “Hold on a second,” Mayhew suddenly protested. “Where are you going?” he asked Malachi.

  He turned to look at him. “Secret.”

  There was a strange moment of hesitation on Mayhew’s part, almost like he didn’t want to leave the car. He glanced up at Scott, then back at Malachi. Finally, he sighed and threw open the door.

  Bending over, Scott stuck his head back in the car, through the open window. “Thank you.”

  Malachi smiled. “I will see you soon.” And then he put the car in drive and pulled back onto the dirt road, speeding off after the BMW and leaving Scott and Mayhew standing in the middle of nowhere.

  “You trust them with the ring?” asked Mayhew.

  “It’s not mine to trust them with.” And he started walking up the path. It was cold, and clouds were rolling in. It looked and felt like it might snow. He crossed his arms, shivering, and tried not to think about the tiny phone in his pocket… why the Mossad wanted him to have it. None of it made any sense, but so far, whatever this game was, it had kept him alive.

  The house was two stories tall and covered in yellow siding. There was an old pickup truck peeking through a tiny garage beside the house, but otherwise, the surrounding property was bare.

  As Scott approached the front door, he noticed his reflection in the glass window. His hair was matted with dry blood, and a plethora of cuts crisscrossed his forehead. His clothes were dirty and charred, holes spotting his jacket, and his eyes were bloodshot with fatigue. Just before knocking, he turned away from his reflection and observed Mayhew. His appearance wasn’t much of an improvement. Taking a deep breath, Scott rapped his knuckles against the door.

  A few seconds later, the door cracked open.

  “Who is it?” a voice called from the other side.

  Scott exchanged a quick glance with Mayhew before answering. “My name is Matthew Scott, and this is Titus Mayhew. We were sent here by Benjamin.”

  A pause. “Why?”

  “To be honest, I’m not really sure.”

  Silence.

  Scott tried explaining further. “We have something to show you, something we were told you would understand.” He took the books from Mayhew.

  “What is it?”

  “Actually, they’re books. Written by a priest.” Trying not to move too suddenly, he slipped the books into the opening between the door and its frame.

  The person inside took the books and shut the door.

  Mayhew looked up into the sky. “Looks like it might snow,” he grumbled.

  The door finally swung open to reveal Mr. Smith back from the dead. He was holding the books in his hands. “Are you armed?” he asked in a deep voice that was not Benjamin’s.

  “No.” It took Scott a second to remember this was Benjamin’s brother, the similarities uncanny.

  The man nodded his approval. He then turned and walked into the depths of the house, looking through the books. “Come in and shut the door. They’re calling for snow.” And then he whispered under his breath, “Or making it.”

  Closing the door, they followed after him.

  “Are you hungry?” the man as
ked, leading them into the kitchen. He set the books down on a hutch positioned beside the kitchen’s entrance. “You look like you haven’t eaten in quite a while. Or slept for that matter.”

  Scott noticed that the man walked with a slight gimp. “Your name is Isaiah?” he asked.

  He spun around. “Yeah, I’m Benjamin’s older brother.” He opened a cabinet and pulled out a box of crackers. “Here, you can snack on these for now. Until I know what all this is about.” He set them down on a round table that was surrounded by two lonely chairs. “Have a seat.” He went to the refrigerator. “Something to drink?”

  “Please, thank you.” Scott sat, looking around.

  “Actually, would you mind if I used your bathroom?” Mayhew asked.

  Without turning around, and his head in the refrigerator, Isaiah answered, “Down the hall on the right.”

  Mayhew walked out of the room, leaving Scott with the crackers.

  Isaiah brought over a pitcher of water and some glasses. “Go on, help yourself,” he said.

  Scott obeyed, reaching for the crackers and pouring himself a glass of water. “So you’re Jewish?” he asked, gulping down the water.

  Isaiah leaned against the kitchen sink and nodded. “Messianic Jew.”

  “Meaning that you believe Jesus Christ to be the Messiah?”

  “That is correct.”

  “Don’t have too many Jewish friends, do you?”

  The old man laughed. “Out here?”