II Chronicles 8:17

Voyage to Ophir. Cf. Kg1 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.

In this chapter we are told, I. What cities Solomon built (Ch2 8:1-6). II. What workmen Solomon employed (Ch2 8:7-10). III. What care he took about a proper settlement for his wife (Ch2 8:11). IV. What a good method he put the temple-service into (Ch2 8:12-16). V. What trading he had with foreign countries (Ch2 8:17, Ch2 8:18).

8:17-18 By discussing Solomon’s activities at his kingdom’s most northern and southern borders, the Chronicler shows the extent of Solomon’s empire. Solomon controlled ports on the Red Sea that provided for international trade to the south. • Hiram was a valuable ally; his people, the Phoenicians of Tyre, had extensive trade networks and were expert mariners, helping Solomon trade with Ophir. • Ophir is traditionally thought to be in southwest Arabia (see Gen 10:28-29).