King Suleiman (Original Art)

King Suleiman (Arabian Nights) is a 1/1 white Human Noble with the tap ability “Destroy target Djinn or Efreet”. In Arabian Nights, Magic’s first expansion, Richard Garfield made two cycles—one of Djinns and the other of Efreets. Both cycles had a card in blue, black, red, and green. This card was made to balance these two creature-type cycles by giving white a unique answer to those types. In the early days, white was a little more proactive about killing the things it saw as "evil." King Suleiman is most likely based off of the biblical King Solomon. In stories, Solomon was granted a copper and iron magic ring that allowed him to subdue a mythical djinn. The djinn then stole back the ring while Solomon was bathing, but in the end, Solomon was able to get his ring back and re-subdue the djinn. He eventually trapped it in a bottle. This event is represented by a second card in Arabian Nights, Bottle of Suleiman, which was an artifact that allowed you to either summon a Djinn or take 5 damage. If you expect opponents to play Djinn or Efreet creatures, this card gives you a specific answer. In Old School (93/94) you’ll sometimes see King Suleiman used, especially in decks themed around Djinn/Efreet. King Suleiman is on the Reserved List, meaning it will not be reprinted in its original form.