2 Chronicles 1:13

2 Chronicles 1:13 says, Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.  Solomon then came down from the high place at Gibeon and went to stand before the tabernacle in Jerusalem to reign over the people.  We cannot just stay in the high places separated from people and praying to God, but must come down to daily life and interact with people if we are to be effective in sharing God's word.  We also are not called to rule over them spiritually, but to lead them to a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse fourteen adds, And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.  Solomon first began to gather and assign his chariots and those who drove them to their place of service.  Though God was his ultimate source of power, he was wisely using what God provided him with, and God is still our source of power today, but we also must wisely use what He provides us with.  Verse fifteen continues, And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance.  Solomon then enriched the city, making silver and gold a plenteous as stones and cedars as abundant as the common sycamore trees.  Not that it is what is going to be important, but when we get to our heavenly home, we are told that the streets are going to be paved with gold, but we are not promised riches here, nor should we be concerned if we don't have them.  Verse sixteen states, And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.  Solomon also brought horses and linen yarn out of Egypt, and his merchants received the linen yarn at a price.  He engaged in trade with other countries and promoted industry in Israel.  We are not an island as a nation, but we need to be engaged in business with other countries, which may provide us with an opportunity to share the gospel.  Verse seventeen adds, And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.  Matthew Henry says that they sold these things to Syria at a profit.  Though if we are engaged in trade with someone, we should want to make a profit, I believe our first concern should be to bring honor to God in what we do and to share His gospel with others.