1 Kings 9:26 kjv
And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.
1 Kings 9:26 nkjv
King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.
1 Kings 9:26 niv
King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea.
1 Kings 9:26 esv
King Solomon built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.
1 Kings 9:26 nlt
King Solomon also built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, a port near Elath in the land of Edom, along the shore of the Red Sea.
1 Kings 9 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 9:27-28 | And Hiram sent his servants…with the servants of Solomon… fetched gold… | Immediate purpose of the navy for trade. |
| 2 Chr 8:17-18 | Then went Solomon to Eziongeber…and Hiram sent him ships… | Parallel account of the fleet's origin. |
| 1 Ki 10:11-12 | And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir…almug trees… | Specific cargo and source (Ophir) of wealth. |
| 1 Ki 10:22 | For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram… | Extensive wealth derived from global trade. |
| 2 Chr 9:21 | For the king’s ships went to Tarshish…once every three years… | Confirms and elaborates on the extensive trade. |
| 1 Ki 4:20-21 | Judah and Israel were many…eating and drinking, and making merry… | Prosperity and peace enabling such projects. |
| 1 Ki 5:1 | And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard… | Hiram's foundational alliance with Solomon. |
| 1 Ki 5:7-12 | Hiram provided Solomon with cedar, fir, and lumber… | Hiram's role in supplying building materials. |
| Deut 2:8 | ...from Elath, and from Eziongeber... | Mentions geographical proximity of the towns. |
| Num 33:35-36 | ...from Eziongeber to the wilderness of Zin… | Eziongeber in Israel's journey in the past. |
| 2 Sam 8:13-14 | ...when he returned from smiting of the Syrians... in the valley of salt... | David's prior conquest of Edom, providing access. |
| 1 Chr 18:13 | David conquered Edom…and Edom became servants to David… | Parallel account of David securing Edom. |
| Ps 72:10 | The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents… | Prophetic allusion to prosperous, wise reign. |
| Isa 60:9 | Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first… | Prophetic reference to ships bringing wealth to Zion. |
| Ezra 3:7 | ...They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat… | Later example of maritime timber transport for temple. |
| Jonah 1:3 | But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD… | Mentions maritime voyages in the Old Testament. |
| Prov 31:14 | She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. | Imagery of valuable distant trade. |
| Ps 107:23-24 | They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters… | Describes typical maritime commercial activity. |
| Eccl 2:8 | I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings… | Solomon's overall acquisition of immense wealth. |
| Isa 2:7 | Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end… | Potential caution against reliance on excessive wealth. |
1 Kings 9 verses
1 Kings 9 26 Meaning
1 Kings 9:26 states that King Solomon constructed a fleet of ships at Eziongeber, a strategic port located on the shore of the Red Sea within the territory of Edom, near the town of Eloth. This verse details a major expansion of Solomon's dominion and economic enterprise, signaling his move into extensive maritime trade and the securing of lucrative international routes, facilitated by the established control over Edom.
1 Kings 9 26 Context
This verse appears after Solomon's twenty-year building project involving the Temple and his palace, and God's renewed covenant promises to him (1 Ki 9:1-9). It marks a transition to the flourishing international trade and administration of Solomon's vast kingdom, which enabled such grand ventures. Historically, this period represents the zenith of Israelite power and prosperity, underpinned by strategic alliances like the one with Hiram of Tyre. Eziongeber's location at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea) was critical for access to eastern and southern markets. Edom's subjugation by David (2 Sam 8:13-14) ensured Israelite control over this vital coastal region, making Solomon's naval operations possible.
Word Analysis
- And King Solomon: Highlights the personal initiative and immense authority of the king, who directly commanded and oversaw such a significant undertaking. This emphasizes his role as a wise and powerful ruler chosen by God (1 Ki 3:12).
- made a navy of ships: Hebrew: אֳנִי ('oniy), meaning "fleet" or "ships." This indicates not merely a few boats but a structured maritime force intended for large-scale operations. "Made" implies substantial construction, planning, and resource allocation. It signifies sophisticated craftsmanship, likely benefiting from Phoenician expertise through Hiram (1 Ki 9:27).
- in Eziongeber: Hebrew: בְּעֶצְיוֹן גֶּבֶר (be'Etsyon Gever). A critical port city, specifically identified by name. Its location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba (eastern arm of the Red Sea) was a strategic point for access to distant lands, serving as a hub for trade with Ophir and other eastern markets.
- which is beside Eloth: Hebrew: אֵילֹת ('Eylot). A prominent neighboring town often associated with or used interchangeably with Eziongeber. Its mention reinforces the precise geographical identification of the shipbuilding site. Both Eloth and Eziongeber mark Israel's crucial southern outlet to the sea.
- on the shore of the Red Sea: Hebrew: עַל-שְׂפַת יַם-סוּף ('al sfat Yam-Sûf). "Yam-Sûf," commonly translated as "Red Sea," literally means "Sea of Reeds" or "Reed Sea." This specifies the body of water the fleet navigated, indicating the primary route for trade towards Africa, Arabia, and potentially India. It links Solomon's ventures to a historically significant body of water from Israel's Exodus journey.
- in the land of Edom: Hebrew: בְּאֶרֶץ אֱדוֹם (be'Erets 'Edom). This geographical detail underscores the territorial reach of Solomon's kingdom. Edom had been conquered and subdued by King David, securing Israelite access and control over this crucial port area, which was vital for its extensive trade network. It demonstrates the enduring impact of David's military successes on Solomon's prosperity.
Words-group analysis:
- "King Solomon made a navy of ships": This phrase showcases Solomon's initiative, his kingdom's economic power, and its capacity for complex, large-scale projects, reflecting the height of Israelite administrative and commercial achievement. It illustrates his foresight in diversifying the kingdom's economic base beyond land-based resources.
- "in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom": This extended geographical description emphasizes the strategic significance and physical location of the enterprise. It highlights the importance of territorial control (over Edom, a legacy of David) for securing vital trade routes and accessing global markets from Israel's southern frontier. This carefully specified location was key to the lucrative trade with distant lands like Ophir.
1 Kings 9 26 Bonus section
- Archaeological Support: Modern excavations at Tell el-Kheleifeh, widely identified as ancient Eziongeber, have revealed evidence of significant settlement and industrial activity, including copper smelting furnaces, aligning with the biblical descriptions of a strategic port during the Israelite monarchy.
- The Ophir Trade: The "navy of ships" mentioned here was specifically purposed for the fabled trade route to Ophir (1 Ki 9:28, 1 Ki 10:11, 22), a location whose immense gold resources and precise geographical placement remain a subject of scholarly debate (candidates range from Eastern Africa to India or the Arabian Peninsula). The biblical account solidifies its role as a key source of Solomon's legendary wealth.
- Dual-Use Fleet: While primarily a commercial fleet, any large navy in the ancient world possessed inherent defensive capabilities, adding to the perceived strength and security of Solomon's kingdom in a volatile region.
- Peak of Power: This construction and the subsequent trade voyages represent a zenith of Israelite power and reach, demonstrating an integration into global commerce that few subsequent Israelite monarchs were able to sustain. Later kings frequently lost control of this strategic Edomite port, highlighting Solomon's unique period of extensive dominion.
1 Kings 9 26 Commentary
1 Kings 9:26 provides a concise yet profound insight into King Solomon's administrative genius and the immense prosperity of his kingdom. By establishing a substantial navy at Eziongeber, Israel's access point to the Red Sea in the conquered territory of Edom, Solomon demonstrated both shrewd economic foresight and remarkable geopolitical prowess. This naval enterprise was not merely a symbol of wealth but a practical means of acquiring it, facilitated crucially by the renowned maritime expertise of Hiram of Tyre, as elaborated in subsequent verses. The fleet's purpose was clear: to embark on commercial voyages, particularly to Ophir, bringing back the gold, almug wood, and precious stones that underscored Solomon's legendary affluence. This venture marked a period when Israel's influence stretched beyond its immediate borders, engaging directly in trans-continental trade, reflecting the fulfillment of God's blessings and the flourishing of a divinely favored monarch's reign, while subtly hinting at the earthly splendors that would later pose challenges to Solomon's fidelity.