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.
Ver. 26. And king Solomon made a navy of ships.] Not now first, but when he first began to build, or before. Neither out of covetousness, but for the ease of the people, and to defray his great charges. Fabrica enim opes etiam regias et maximas exhaurit. Building is very costly.
In Eziongeber.] Jehoshaphat did the like, but with unlike success; and why? see 1 Kings 22:48 .