The last three verses of this chapter illustrate, as many commentators point out, that the gift that displeased Hiram did not mark the end of the alliance between him and Solomon. They entered into a joint venture to get treasure from the land of Ophir. Its exact location is unknown at the present time, but we can assume that it was either some place in Africa or Arabia, because the starting point was Ezion-geber, which was located on the Red Sea.
The fact that this was a joint venture is illustrated by the fact that Tyre supplied ships and experienced seamen, but Solomon also provided his own servants to accompany the more experienced Phoenicians. The venture, unlike another one attempted by Jehoshaphat in the future (2 Chronicles 20:36–37), was successful, and a trading fleet returned with 420 talents of gold. This was approximately three-and-a-half times the amount of gold that Solomon used in the construction of the Lord's temple.
God had promised that he would give Solomon riches, as we have seen. And he used much of the wealth that he had received while the temple was being constructed in the service of that construction. Yet, the collecting of this gold does not appear to have any use for the work of the Lord. We may certainly ask the question whether this specific occurrence is a violation of Moses' instruction to the kings that Israel would eventually choose for themselves. Moses said they should not gather to themselves horses, chariots, and riches. All three of these things are shown in this chapter as things in which Solomon engaged.
Again, it seems that the writer is preparing us for the full apostasy into which Solomon would fall at the end of his reign. These things reinforce one of the themes of 1 Kings, that no mere human king will bring to Israel the complete blessing of the Lord upon the nation.
26 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.