<p>King David once watched a wasp devouring a spider while a fool chased them both with a stick. And he complained to God about it. Why create wasps that sting for no benefit? Why create spiders that weave webs they'll never wear? Why create fools who harm everything they touch? Three utterly pointless creatures, David argued. God's response, according to the Alphabet of Ben Sira (c. 700-1000 CE), was sharp: "David, you are slandering My creatures. The hour will come when you will need every one of them."</p>
<p>And that's exactly what happened. Three times, the very creatures David mocked saved his life.</p>
<p>First, the spider. When David hid in a cave from King Saul, God sent a spider to weave a web across the cave's entrance. Saul arrived, saw the unbroken web, and assumed no one could have entered. He moved on. David survived. When he emerged and saw the spider, he kissed her and blessed her Creator. (For another telling of this story, see <a href='/texts/sefaria-legends-of-the-jews-1953.html'>David Learns to Respect Spiders After God Saves Him</a>.)</p>
<p>Second, the fool. When David stood before King Achish of the Philistines, he pretended to be a raving madman. Since Achish's own daughter was mentally ill, the king was disgusted: "Do I not have enough fools already?" They released David, and he escaped with his life.</p>
<p>Third, the wasp. When David crept past Saul's sleeping general Avner to steal the king's water flask, Avner's legs pinned him like pillars on the way out. David cried out in desperation. God sent a hornet that stung Avner's legs, causing him to shift. David slipped free. The lesson? Never slander God's creation. Everything has its purpose, even if you can't see it yet.</p>