Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.

Then Solomon went to Asiongaber, and to Ailath, on the coast of the Red Sea, which is in the land of Edom.

Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber, and to Eloth, on the sea shore in the land of Edom.

Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.

Then hath Solomon gone to Ezion-Geber, and unto Elath, on the border of the sea, in the land of Edom;

Then Solomon went to Ezion-geber and to Eloth by the sea in the land of Edom.

Then Solomon went away to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, on the coast of the Red Sea, which is in the land of Edom.

Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber - See the notes on 1-Kings 9:26-28 (note), for conjectures concerning Ezion-geber and Ophir.

Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the (i) sea side in the land of Edom.
(i) Meaning, the Red Sea.

Then went Solomon to Eziongeber,.... Being now at leisure to look after his navy, to carry on merchandise; and of this, and the following verse, and the reconciliation of them with 1-Kings 9:26; see Gill on 1-Kings 9:26, 1-Kings 9:27, 1-Kings 9:28.

Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber, and to Eloth--These two maritime ports were situated at the eastern gulf of the Red Sea, now called the Gulf of Akaba. Eloth is seen in the modern Akaba, Ezion-geber in El Gudyan [ROBINSON]. Solomon, determined to cultivate the arts of peace, was sagacious enough to perceive that his kingdom could become great and glorious only by encouraging a spirit of commercial enterprise among his subjects; and, accordingly, with that in mind he made a contract with Huram for ships and seamen to instruct his people in navigation.

Voyage to Ophir. Cf. 1-Kings 9:26-28, and the commentary on that passage, where we have discussed the divergences of our narrative, and have also come to the conclusion that Ophir is not to be sought in India, but in Southern Arabia. By אז the date of this voyage is made to fall in the period after the building of the temple and the palace, i.e., in the second half of Solomon's reign.