Ezion Geber on the shore of the Red Sea? 1 Kings 9:26

"1 Kings 9:26 says, 'King Solomon made a navy of ships in Ezion-geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.' The problem with this verse is that Ezion-geber is over a hundred miles from the Red Sea and is certainly not on its shore" (EBE 219).

I think the problem is with the term Red Sea, which strictly speaking should be Reed Sea. In biblical times the gulf of Akabah and the gulf of Suez would be known as the Reed or Red Sea as well as the bitter lakes region north of Suez. Ezion-geber is on the Gulf of Akabah, close to present day Elat which is on the sea shore. The Gulf of Aqaba, is anyway an arm of the Red Sea, the other western arm is the gulf of Suez with the Sinai peninsular in between. The Encyclopædia Britannica says that "geologically, the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba (Elat) must be considered as the northern extension of the same structure" (ie. of the Red Sea).

Other references to Ezion-Geber

(Num 33:35-36 NIV) They left Abronah and camped at Ezion Geber. {36} They left Ezion Geber and camped at Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.

(Deu 2:8 NIV) So we went on past our brothers the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We turned from the Arabah road, which comes up from Elath and Ezion Geber, and traveled along the desert road of Moab.

(1 Ki 9:26 NIV) King Solomon also built ships at Ezion Geber, which is near Elath in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea.

(1 Ki 22:48 NIV) Now Jehoshaphat built a fleet of trading ships to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail--they were wrecked at Ezion Geber.

(2 Chr 8:17 NIV) Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and Elath on the coast of Edom.

(2 Chr 20:36 NIV) He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. After these were built at Ezion Geber,

The Catholic Encyclopedia says

More properly Ezion-geber, a city of Idumea, situated on the northern extremity of the Ælanitic Gulf, now called the Gulf of Akabah. it is mentioned six times in the Holy Scriptures: Numbers, xxxiii, 35; Deut., ii, 8; III K. (Vulgate), ix, 26; xxii, 49; II Par. (Chron.), viii, 17; xx, 36. The general site of Asiongaber is indicated in III K., ix, 26 (I K.); but its ruins have disappeared, so that its precise site is a matter of conjecture. The Children of Israel encamped in Asiongaber in their journey through the wilderness (Num., xxxiii, 35). The ships of Solomon and Hiram started from this port on their voyage to Ophir. It was the main port for Israel's commerce with the countries bordering on the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Josaphat, King of Juda, joined himself with Ochozias, the wicked King of Israel, to make ships in Asiongaber; but God disapproved the unholy alliance, and the ships were broken in the port (II Par., xx,37).

See Tekton's response

"Ezion-geber" Encyclopædia Britannica

The most extensive information page is by Rodney R. Baird

For an interesting exchange between Farrell Till and McKinsey on this topic go here (search for ezion-geber farrell till mckinsey).