1 Kings 9:26

Ezion-geber. This place is at the head of the Gulf of Aqabah, a seaport of Edom on an arm of the Arabian Gulf. The Israelites camped near here on their journeys through the wilderness (Num. 33:35; Deut. 2:8). The site, now 500 yds. from the sea, was either Ezion-geber or a suburb and commercial center connected with it. A building formerly identified as a smelter, but now as a fortified storehouse, was excavated; and various artifacts of copper were found elsewhere on the site (see on Deut. 8:9). Solomon apparently controlled the overland trade route from Palestine to Arabia and the sea route to Ophir. The ambition to control these routes was probably one of the major causes of the struggles between Israel and Edom. Saul fought against Edom (1 Sam. 14:47), and David placed garrisons there (2 Sam. 8:14; 1 Chron. 18:13). “Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber” (1 Kings 22:48). In the days of Jehoram, Edom revolted from Judah and was under its own king (2 Kings 8:20). Amaziah fought a successful war against Edom (2 Kings 14:7), and his son Azariah “built Elath, and restored it to Judah” (2 Kings 14:22).

Eloth. Sometimes written Elath. A place on the Gulf of Aqabah near Ezion-geber. The name survives in Eilat, the modern city near this place.