דברי הימים ב, פרק ט׳, פסוק כ״א

The royal merchant fleet expanded the borders of ancient trade, returning to the palace with rare treasures and exotic animals from distant lands. The fleet traveled to a destination known as Tarshish. Rather than the familiar city in the region of Spain, this was likely a more southern location, pointing toward India [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This specific trade route operated independently from other voyages, such as the previously established path to Ophir, showing that the king managed multiple maritime expeditions at the same time [מצודת דוד].

These journeys were lengthy, with the fleet completing a round trip only once every three years. The extended travel time was due to both the vast distances involved and the navigational limits of the era, which required sailing ships to hug the coastline as closely as possible [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

When the ships finally returned, they brought back a unique and wealthy haul. The cargo included precious ivory, sourced from elephant tusks, though some interpretations suggest live elephants were brought back to the palace as well [רש״י]. Alongside these treasures, the fleet transported living monkeys and magnificent peacocks, admired for their brilliantly colored, shifting feathers [מצודת ציון].