The Book of Solomon

The Gift of Wisdom

Solomon asks for wisdom and receives knowledge of heaven and earth. The Greater Key preserves two accounts of the revelation: an angel’s visit before sleep and a blazing star among the trees. [1][2]

Greater Key · two alternative manuscript introductions

The Gift of Wisdom

In the introduction attributed to Additional MS 10862, Solomon tells Roboam how he received his knowledge. One night, as he lay down to sleep, he invoked the divine name IAH and asked for wisdom. The angel Homadiel appeared as his eyes began to close. Speaking courteously, the angel praised his choice of understanding and just judgement over long life, riches or victory over his enemies. [1]

Solomon says that he then understood the creatures above and below the heavens. He gathered their secrets into a book and called it the Key: as a key opens a treasure house, its teaching opens the knowledge of hidden things. He urges Roboam to study the work carefully and preserve the wisdom it contains. [1]

The introduction attributed to Lansdowne MS 1203 places the revelation among trees. While meditating on divine power, Solomon sees a light like a blazing star at the end of a shaded avenue. A thunderous voice tells him not to fear and invites him to ask for what he desires. He requests wisdom, receiving knowledge of celestial treasures and the natures of earthly things. [2]

Both accounts make the king’s wisdom a divine gift, but their details differ. Additional MS 10862 names Homadiel and describes a conversation before sleep. Lansdowne MS 1203 describes a blazing star and a voice of thunder in a wooded setting. These separate introductions each explain the knowledge Solomon later entrusts to his son. [1][2]

Sources and editions

Greater Key — Introduction from Additional MS 10862
S. L. MacGregor Mathers, The Key of Solomon the King (1889), manuscript introductions attributed to British Library Additional MS 10862 and Lansdowne MS 1203. Printed pages 2–4; facsimile PDF pages 9–11. Revelation, address to Roboam, burial and rediscovery of the ivory casket.
Full passage · accessed 2026-10-10
Greater Key — Introduction from Lansdowne MS 1203
S. L. MacGregor Mathers, The Key of Solomon the King (1889), manuscript introductions attributed to British Library Additional MS 10862 and Lansdowne MS 1203. Printed pages 5–6; facsimile PDF pages 12–13. Star and thunder revelation, celestial and terrestrial creatures, testament and ethical conditions.
Full passage · accessed 2026-10-10

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The Gift of Wisdom

Sources and editions