“Behold, it is Solomon’s couch, With sixty valiant men around it, Of the valiant of Israel. They all hold swords, Being expert in war…” (Song of Solomon 3:7 NKJ).
This verse and the preceding one speak to us about journeying in the days of Solomon, King of Israel. At night the king’s company would find a temporary resting place. There Solomon would sleep while sixty men armed with swords stood guard around his bed.
I find this image highly amusing. Just put yourself in Solomon’s place: it has been a long, tedious tiresome trek. Finally you stop to rest for the night. All you want to do is sleep, but every time you open your eyes you see sixty armed men surrounding you and staring at you!
In the military I had to sleep in a crowded army barracks. Besides my own narrow cot there were twenty-three other beds stretched out side-by-side in the same long room. Men snored, talked in their sleep, got up in the night, tossed and turned, came and went – all night long.
I literally had to learn to sleep right through the war. I don’t know what I would have done if there had been sixty armed guards around my bed!
One writer in the seventeenth century observed that Solomon with his 60 armed guards was not as protected as we believers. Philippians 4:7 says, “The peace of God that passes all understanding will stand as a sentinel and a guard over your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.” That is real protection.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.