2 Chronicles 15:16

KJV

And also [concerning] Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from [being] queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped [it], and burnt [it] at the brook Kidron.

KJV (with Strong's)

And also concerning Maachah {H4601} the mother {H517} of Asa {H609} the king {H4428}, he removed {H5493} her from being queen {H1377}, because she had made {H6213} an idol {H4656} in a grove {H842}: and Asa {H609} cut down {H3772} her idol {H4656}, and stamped {H1854} it, and burnt {H8313} it at the brook {H5158} Kidron {H6939}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Asa the king also deposed Ma'akhah his [grand]mother from her position as queen mother, because she had made a disgusting image for an asherah. Asa cut down this image of hers, chopped it into tiny pieces and burned it in Vadi Kidron.

Berean Standard Bible

King Asa also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a detestable Asherah pole. Asa chopped down the pole, crushed it, and burned it in the Kidron Valley.

American Standard Version

And also Maacah, the mother of Asa the king, he removed from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah; and Asa cut down her image, and made dust of it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 15:16 records a powerful act of King Asa's reign, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to YHWH and his radical efforts to purge idolatry from the kingdom of Judah. This verse highlights Asa's courageous decision to remove his own grandmother, Maachah, from her influential position as queen mother because of her egregious idolatry, specifically her creation of a detestable Asherah pole. Asa's subsequent, thorough destruction of this idol at the Kidron Valley underscores his uncompromising zeal for God's purity and his determination to lead Judah in covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of King Asa's reign, following a period of significant spiritual renewal and national covenant with God. Chapter 14 details Asa's initial reforms and his reliance on the Lord, which led to a decisive victory over the Cushites. Chapter 15 opens with the Spirit of God coming upon the prophet Azariah, who delivers a powerful message to Asa and all Judah, urging them to seek the Lord and warning of the consequences of forsaking Him. This prophetic encouragement galvanizes Asa to undertake even more extensive reforms, including the renewal of the covenant at Jerusalem, where the people enthusiastically committed themselves to the Lord [2 Chronicles 15:8-15](/2_chronicles/15-8 "2 Chronicles 15:8-15 - Asa's Reforms and Covenant Renewal"). The action against Maachah in verse 16 serves as the ultimate test and demonstration of Asa's sincerity and the depth of his commitment to this renewed covenant, proving that no one, not even his own family, was exempt from the call to purity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The worship of Asherah was a pervasive and insidious form of Canaanite idolatry that frequently infiltrated Israelite religious practices. Asherah was a prominent Canaanite goddess, often depicted as a consort of Baal or El, associated with fertility, trees, and wooden cultic poles or images. Such worship often involved immoral rites, including cultic prostitution, making it particularly offensive to YHWH, who demanded exclusive devotion. The role of the "queen mother" (Hebrew: _gevira_) in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, including Judah, was often one of significant influence and authority, sometimes even exceeding that of the king's primary wife. Maachah's position as the mother of Asa (or more likely, his grandmother, as "mother" could denote an ancestress or queen dowager) meant her idolatry posed a direct challenge to the king's reforms and set a dangerous precedent for the nation. The choice of the Kidron Valley, located east of Jerusalem, as the site for the idol's destruction was highly symbolic. This valley historically served as a dumping ground for defiled objects and a place of ritual cleansing, emphasizing the utter contempt and defilement associated with the pagan idol.
* **Key Themes:** 2 Chronicles 15:16 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Radical Purity and Reform**, demonstrating Asa's uncompromising zeal for God's holiness, even when it required confronting sin within his own family and at the highest echelons of power. This action highlights that true spiritual revival often necessitates drastic measures to eradicate anything that defiles the worship of God. Secondly, the verse exemplifies **Leadership by Example**, showcasing Asa's willingness to make difficult and unpopular decisions for the sake of divine truth, setting a powerful precedent for the entire nation to follow God wholeheartedly, as exhorted by Azariah in [2 Chronicles 15:2](/2_chronicles/15-2 "2 Chronicles 15:2 - Azariah's Prophecy to Asa"). Thirdly, it directly addresses the persistent challenge of **Confronting Idolatry**, specifically the insidious nature of Asherah worship, which was strictly forbidden by God's law [Deuteronomy 16:21](/deuteronomy/16-21 "Deuteronomy 16:21 - Prohibition of Asherah Poles"). Asa's thorough destruction of the idol—cutting, stamping, and burning—symbolizes a complete and irreversible rejection of pagan practices. Finally, this act reinforces the overarching theme of **Wholehearted Devotion to God**, which characterized Asa's early reign [2 Chronicles 14:2](/2_chronicles/14-2 "2 Chronicles 14:2 - Asa's Early Devotion") and was renewed with vigor after Azariah's prophecy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Maachah (Hebrew, _Ma'akah'_):** Identified as the "mother of Asa the king," though more accurately his grandmother (daughter of Abishalom/Absalom, and mother of Abijah, Asa's father, as seen in [1 Kings 15:10](/1_kings/15-10 "1 Kings 15:10 - Asa's Reign Begins")). Her position as queen mother (or queen dowager) granted her significant influence and status within the royal court. Her idolatry, therefore, was not merely a personal sin but a public affront to YHWH and a dangerous example for the kingdom, making Asa's action against her a profound statement of his commitment to God's law above all else.
* **idol (Hebrew, _miphletseth'_):** This specific Hebrew term is strong and highly pejorative, meaning "frightful thing," "horrible image," or "abominable image." It emphasizes the grotesque and detestable nature of the object Maachah created, highlighting its repugnance in the eyes of God and righteous Israelites. It suggests not just a mere image, but something designed to inspire dread or revulsion, underscoring the depth of Maachah's spiritual depravity.
* **grove (Hebrew, _'asherah'_):** This term does not refer to a literal grove of trees but to a cultic wooden pole or image representing the Canaanite fertility goddess Asherah. These poles were central to Canaanite worship, often erected near altars, and were explicitly forbidden by Mosaic Law due to their association with polytheism and immoral practices. Asa's action was a direct assault on a deeply entrenched pagan practice that had permeated even the royal family.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And also [concerning] Maachah the mother of Asa the king, he removed her from [being] queen":** This clause highlights the extraordinary nature of Asa's reform. Maachah, as the queen mother, held a position of immense prestige and power, making her removal a politically risky and personally difficult decision. Asa's willingness to act against his own family member demonstrates his unwavering commitment to God's law above familial loyalty or political expediency, setting a precedent that no one was above accountability for idolatry.
* **"because she had made an idol in a grove":** This provides the explicit justification for Maachah's removal. Her sin was not passive participation but active creation and promotion of idolatry, specifically an abominable image dedicated to Asherah. This act directly violated the first and second commandments, challenging the very foundation of Judah's covenant with YHWH.
* **"and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped [it], and burnt [it] at the brook Kidron":** This describes the thorough and symbolic destruction of the idol. "Cut down" refers to the initial felling of the wooden pole. "Stamped" (or "crushed") implies a complete pulverization, ensuring it could not be reassembled or venerated. "Burnt" signifies its final annihilation. Performing this destruction at the Kidron Valley, a defiled place outside Jerusalem, further emphasized the idol's impurity and the utter contempt with which it was regarded, symbolizing a complete severance from pagan worship.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices to emphasize the significance of Asa's actions. **Symbolism** is prominent in the choice of the Kidron Valley as the site for the idol's destruction. Historically a place for disposing of defiled objects, its use here underscores the utter contempt for Maachah's idol and the complete spiritual cleansing Asa sought for Judah. The act of "cutting down," "stamping," and "burning" the idol is a form of **Tricolon** or **Emphasis through Repetition**, highlighting the thoroughness and irreversibility of the purification process. This triple action is not merely descriptive but prescriptive, demonstrating the radical measures required to eradicate deeply rooted sin. Furthermore, the narrative presents a stark **Contrast** between Asa's zealous devotion to YHWH and Maachah's blatant idolatry, amplifying the king's righteous character and the gravity of his decision. This contrast serves to commend Asa's leadership and underscore the spiritual stakes involved in covenant faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
King Asa's radical purification, particularly his confrontation with his own family member, resonates deeply with biblical themes of exclusive devotion to God, the necessity of purity in worship, and the uncompromising nature of God's demands for holiness. It serves as a powerful reminder that covenant faithfulness requires a decisive break from anything that competes for God's rightful place in our lives, regardless of personal cost or social standing. The thorough destruction of the idol reflects the biblical mandate to utterly eradicate all forms of idolatry and syncretism, ensuring that the people's worship is directed solely to YHWH. This commitment to purity is not merely external but reflects an internal heart posture of wholehearted seeking after God.

* [Deuteronomy 7:5](/deuteronomy/7-5 "Deuteronomy 7:5 - Command to Destroy Idols")
* [1 Kings 15:13](/1_kings/15-13 "1 Kings 15:13 - Maachah's Idolatry in Kings")
* [Exodus 32:20](/exodus/32-20 "Exodus 32:20 - Moses Destroys the Golden Calf")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Asa's courageous and uncompromising action against his own grandmother, Maachah, provides a profound challenge for believers today. It calls us to examine our own lives and identify any "idols" that may subtly or overtly compete for God's rightful place in our hearts and affections. These can manifest not as physical statues, but as possessions, relationships, ambitions, comforts, or even self-image that we prioritize above our devotion to Christ. Asa's thoroughness in cutting down, stamping, and burning the idol at the Kidron Valley teaches us that dealing with sin and spiritual compromise requires decisive, radical action—not merely superficial adjustments, but a complete severance and defilement of anything that hinders our relationship with God. For those in positions of leadership, whether in family, church, or community, Asa's example underscores the necessity of courageous integrity, prioritizing God's truth and purity even when it demands difficult, unpopular, or personally costly decisions. True spiritual revival often begins with such radical purification, starting within our own hearts and extending to our spheres of influence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" might be subtly competing for God's rightful place in my life today, and what radical steps might be necessary to remove them?**
* **In what areas of my life or influence am I called to exercise courageous, uncompromising leadership for God's truth, even when it involves personal cost or confronting difficult situations?**
* **How does Asa's thoroughness in dealing with sin challenge my own approach to personal holiness and spiritual purity, moving beyond superficial changes to complete eradication?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so significant that Asa removed his own mother (or grandmother)?**

Answer: The removal of Maachah was profoundly significant because of her high status and influence as the queen mother (or queen dowager). In ancient Near Eastern monarchies, the queen mother often wielded considerable political and social power, sometimes even more than the king's wife. For Asa to depose her for idolatry demonstrated an extraordinary level of commitment to God's law over familial loyalty, political expediency, or personal comfort. It sent an unmistakable message to the entire kingdom that no one, regardless of their position, was exempt from the demands of covenant faithfulness. This act underscored Asa's unwavering devotion to YHWH and his determination to purify the nation from top to bottom, as also noted in [1 Kings 15:13](/1_kings/15-13 "1 Kings 15:13 - Maachah's Demotion").

**What was an "Asherah" and why was it so offensive?**

Answer: An "Asherah" was not simply a "grove" of trees but referred to a cultic wooden pole or image representing Asherah, a prominent Canaanite goddess. She was often worshipped as a consort of Baal or El and associated with fertility rites, which frequently involved ritual prostitution and other immoral practices. The worship of Asherah was a direct violation of God's commands against idolatry and polytheism, particularly the second commandment, which forbids making and worshipping graven images. It was offensive because it introduced pagan practices that defiled the purity of YHWH worship, corrupted the moral fabric of society, and directly challenged God's exclusive claim to Israel's devotion, as explicitly forbidden in [Deuteronomy 16:21](/deuteronomy/16-21 "Deuteronomy 16:21 - Prohibition of Asherah Poles").

**Why was the brook Kidron chosen for the destruction of the idol?**

Answer: The brook Kidron, located in the valley east of Jerusalem, was chosen for the destruction of Maachah's idol for highly symbolic and practical reasons. Historically, the Kidron Valley served as a dumping ground for defiled objects and a place associated with ritual impurity and judgment. By destroying and burning the idol there, Asa was not only ensuring its complete obliteration but also publicly declaring its utter defilement and contempt in the eyes of God and the people. This act mirrored earlier instances of defilement and destruction of idols, such as Moses grinding the golden calf to powder and scattering it in a brook [Exodus 32:20](/exodus/32-20 "Exodus 32:20 - Moses Destroys the Golden Calf"), reinforcing the idea that such abominations were to be utterly rejected and cast out from the holy city and land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
King Asa's radical act of purification, beginning with his own household, foreshadows the ultimate and perfect purification brought by Jesus Christ. While Asa dealt with physical idols and external defilement, Christ came to confront the root of all idolatry: the sin in the human heart that elevates anything above God. Jesus, with a zeal far surpassing Asa's, cleansed the temple, not just of physical idols, but of the spiritual idolatry of commercialism and hypocrisy that defiled God's house [John 2:13-17](/john/2-13 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple"). He is the true King who, through His sacrifice on the cross, utterly destroys the power of sin and death, which are the ultimate "abominable images" that alienate humanity from God. His blood purifies not just external defilement but our consciences from dead works to serve the living God [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Purifies Conscience"). As believers, we are called to participate in Christ's ongoing work of purification, putting to death the "earthly things" in us—sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things"). Just as Asa radically removed the idol, Christ empowers us to dismantle spiritual strongholds and every proud obstacle that sets itself up against the knowledge of God [2 Corinthians 10:4-5](/2_corinthians/10-4 "2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Spiritual Warfare"), leading us into a life of true, wholehearted devotion to the one true God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 15:13

And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from [being] queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt [it] by the brook Kidron.

1 Kings 15:24

And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 15:2

Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.

2 Kings 23:15

Moreover the altar that [was] at Bethel, [and] the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, [and] stamped [it] small to powder, and burned the grove.

Exodus 34:13

But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:

1 Kings 15:10

And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.

2 Kings 23:6

And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped [it] small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.