1 Kings 15:13

And also Maachah Here, as above, the LXX. has Ana.

his mother, even her he removed The R.V. omits -even her". The Hebrew has this construction, but it is Hebrew, not English, though like several other Hebrew idioms, it has become accepted, through the influence of the A. V.

frombeing queen i.e. From the influential position of queen mother. The title is not the usual word for -queen" but one which implies special authority and influence.

she had made an idol in a grove R.V. -had made an abominable image for an Ashêrah." The word which the A.V. renders -idol" is one of the numerous terms which the Hebrew language applied to the objects of idolatrous worship. It is cognate with words which signify -horror," -trembling," -fearfulness," and indicates an erection which was likely to excite such feelings. On -Ashêrah," which is used sometimes for the goddess, sometimes for the idol set up to represent her, see above on 1 Kings 14:15.

and Asa destroyed her idol R.V. cut down her image. The verb indicates the manner of the destruction, and shews that the image was such that it could be cut down as you would cut down a tree. Hence most likely it was of wood, for in the next clause we find that it was burnt.

by the brook Kidron This was rather a valley or torrent bed, which became a stream in the time of rain. It was close to Jerusalem, lying between the city and the mount of Olives. The name is connected with several events which mark it as a spot of evil fame. Beside the burning there of these idols, it was at this place that Athaliah was put to death (2 Kings 11:16), and hither in after times many impure objects of worship and abominations were brought to be destroyed (2 Kings 23:4; 2 Kings 23:6; 2 Kings 23:12; 2 Chronicles 29:16; 2 Chronicles 30:14).