King David once asked God what good there was in gnats, spiders and fools. One day, fleeing from Saul, he hid in a cave and a spider quickly covered the opening with its web. Saul, seeing it, said that no one could have entered the cave without tearing the web, and so David escaped. On another occasion, he entered a cave where Saul and Abner were sleeping. Creeping under Abner’s gigantic legs in order to reach the cruise of water, David was suddenly caught by Abner when he stretched his legs. A gnat came and stung Abner, who lifted his leg and David escaped. On going to the king of the Philistines David simulated a fool in order to save his life. Thus he was taught to recognise the wonders of God in His creation.
419 (42). Two men lived in close friendship. War separated them. One day one of them went to his friend's town. The king, believing him to be a spy coming from the enemy’s country, ordered him to be killed. He begged to be allowed to return home to settle his affairs after which he would return. Asked who would stand surety for him, his friend offered himself to be killed if the other did not return within the fixed time. The king granted a month. On the last day the man had not returned and his friend was brought out from prison and was on the point of being killed when the other man returned. The king, greatly astounded, begged of them to allow him to become a third in their friendship.
420 (41). At a certain place there were people worshipping fire. They used to light one stake in the morning and one stake in the evening, keeping the fire alive continually. When
163 -
they grew old, they threw themselves into a flaming pit, the gate of Gehinom, believing thereby that they were absolved from their sins and carried straight to Paradise. A Jew one day came thither and left his purse with an old man. When he returned the man had thrown himself into the fire. The people told him to wait, for such men returned on the third day and settled their property; and so it happened. The old man re -appeared, settled his affairs and gave him back his purse. The Jew wanted to follow him but on the way the old man told him that he was a demon who had induced the people to worship and had acted in such manner to increase their belief and lead them astray. But he, being a Jew, could not be allowed to follow when he worshipped the true God.