2 Chronicles 15:16-1

(1 Kings 15:13-15). Other Religious Measures of Asa

16. And alsoconcerning Maachah R.V. And also Maacah. "Maacah the daughter of Abishalom" is described as the mother of Abijam (Abijah) In 1 Kings 15:2 and as the mother of Asa in 1 Kings 15:10, although Asa is described as the son of Abijam (Abijah) in 1 Kings 15:8. Most probably Maacah was the grandmother of Asa but retained her position as queen-mother during two reigns, i.e. until removed by Asa.

frombeing queen R.V. mg., from being queen-mother.

an idol R.V. an abominable image. On 1 Kings 15:13 Robertson Smith (Religion of the Semitesp. 188, note) suggests that the Asherah itself (cp. 2 Chronicles 14:3 note) was partly carved into a kind of image, "a grisly object." For the present passage see next note.

in a grove R.V. mg. (rightly as representing the meaning of the Chronicler) for Asherah, Asherah being here and in a few other passages (1 Kings 18:19; 2Ki 21:7; 2 Kings 23:4; 2 Kings 23:7) to be translated as the name of a goddess, about whom however next to nothing is known. According to some scholars the Chronicler was mistaken in imagining that "Ashçrâh" was anything more than a common noun denoting the wooden symbol of a goddess. We must of course translate according to the meaning of the Chronicler whether he has fallen into an error or not. Cp. note on 2 Chronicles 14:3.

cut down her idol, and stampedit] R.V. cut down her image, and made dust of it.

the brook Kidron On the east of Jerusalem, an unclean place; cp. 2 Kings 23:4, "in the fields of Kidron." Bädeker, p. 96.