Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.
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's 'Biblical Researches,' 1:, p. 250). 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 view, he made a contract with Huram for ships and seamen to instruct his people in navigation.