After David's death, Hiram maintained his alliance with David's son and successor Solomon, again as an equal ("אחי", meaning "my brother")[6][7][8] Through the alliance with Solomon, Hiram ensured himself access to the major trade routes to Egypt, Arabia and Mesopotamia. The two kings also jointly opened a trade route over the Red Sea, connecting the Israelite harbour of Ezion-Geber with a land called Ophir.[9] Some schools of thought suggest that this land of Ophir was in the Philippines or the port city of Sopara near modern Mumbai (Bombay), India.[10]