On the other side of the river a troop of Shlomo HaMelech’s soldiers were leading a pack of mules laden with gold for the king’s coffers. Noticing the young man they called out, asking him why he was waiting.
“The waters are too deep and turbulent,” he shouted back. But the soldiers were in a hurry and descended into the river. Midway across a swell of water engulfed them and they all drowned. The young man waited until the waters became very low. Then, crossing the river, he picked up on the way all of the gold the mules were carrying.
The young man soon reached home and the entire family celebrated. When his brothers’ wives asked about their husbands, he simply told them that they were still studying. But his wife kept asking how he received all of the gold. He refused to divulge his secret. In the meantime the man became very wealthy. With the gold he purchased vast estates and prospered.
His wife was not satisfied with his answers and she began to bother him every day, until one day he revealed the true events.
Sometime later the man had a quarrel with his wife and out of anger she shouted, “You murderer, do you think you can kill me the same way you killed your brothers?”
When his brothers’ wives heard they complained to the courts. The man was tried and condemned to die. Realizing his predicament, he requested that he be allowed to see Shlomo HaMelech, who would understand his circumstances.
Brought before the king he explained that he was one of the three brothers who had studied with him many years before and that king’s advice had saved him until he neglected to obey the last instruction. The king recognized him and confirmed that he had given them the gold, which, by rights, now belonged to the younger brother. He freed the young man and then quoted his famous saying, “He who buys wisdom has purchased something more valuable than gold and diamonds.”
