SEV Biblia, Chapter 15:13
Y también privó a su madre Maaca de ser princesa, porque había hecho un ídolo en un bosque. Además deshizo Asa el ídolo de su madre, y lo quemó junto al arroyo de Cedrón.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 15:13
Verse 13. She had made an idol in a grove] The original word, txlpm miphletseth, is variously understood. I shall give its different views in the versions:- "Besides, he removed his mother Maacha from being chief in the sacred rites of Priapus, and in his grove which she had consecrated." - VULGATE. "And Ana, [other copies Maacha,] he removed from being governess, because she had made an assembly in her grove." - SEPTUAGINT.
"Moreover, he deprived Maacha, his mother, of her own magnificence, because she had celebrated a solemnity to her own worship." -SYRIAC.
"And even Maacha, his mother, he removed from the kingdom, because she had made an idol in a grove." -CHALDEE.
"Besides, he removed Maacha, his mother, from her kingdom, because she had made a high tree into an idol." -ABABIC.
"Also he removed Maacha, his mother, from the kingdom, because she had made a horrible statue; and our rabbins say that it was called txlpm miphletseth, because atwnxyl aylpm maphli leytsanutha, it produced wonderful ridicule; for she made it ad instar membri virilis, and she used it daily." - RABBI SOLOMON JARCHI.
From the whole, it is pretty evident that the image was a mere Priapus, or something of the same nature, and that Maachah had an assembly in the grove where this image was set up, and doubtless worshipped it with the most impure rites. What the Roman Priapus was I need not tell the learned reader; and as to the unlearned, it would not profit him to know. Maachah was most likely another Messalina; and Asa probably did for his mother what Claudius did for his wife.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 13. And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen , etc.] From the kingdom, as the Targum; from having any share in the government, as she might have had during his minority, his mother being dead, as some conjecture; and not only took away her power and authority, but all the ensigns of it, and perhaps forbid her the court: or he removed her from the queen, his own wife, that she might not be corrupted by her; or rather it was from presiding over the rites of the idol next mentioned, and the worshipping of it: because she had made an idol in a grove ; which had its name from horror and trembling; either because it was of a terrible aspect, or injected horror into its worshippers, or brought terrible calamities and judgments upon them: according to some Jewish writers f341 , it was a Priapus, of an obscene figure; and so others f342 , who suppose she presided over the sacred rites of this impure deity, the same with Baalpeor; and the Heathens used to place Priapus in their gardens f343 , to fright away birds, (see Gill on “ Jeremiah 49:16”), others take it to be Pan, from whence the word “Panic”, used for any great fright: and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron : and cast the ashes of it into it, that none might have any profit by it, the gold and silver on it, and in indignation to it, (see Exodus 32:20).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-24 - Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. That is right indee which is so in God's eyes. Asa's times were times of reformation. He removed that which was evil; there reformation begins, and a great dea he found to do. When Asa found idolatry in the court, he rooted it ou thence. Reformation must begin at home. Asa honours and respects his mother; he loves her well, but he loves God better. Those that have power are happy when thus they have hearts to use it well. We must no only cease to do evil, but learn to do well; not only cast away the idols of our iniquity, but dedicate ourselves and our all to God' honour and glory. Asa was cordially devoted to the service of God, his sins not arising from presumption. But his league with Benhadad aros from unbelief. Even true believers find it hard, in times of urgen danger, to trust in the Lord with all their heart. Unbelief makes wa for carnal policy, and thus for one sin after another. Unbelief ha often led Christians to call in the help of the Lord's enemies in their contests with their brethren; and some who once shone brightly, have thus been covered with a dark cloud towards the end of their days.
Original Hebrew
וגם 1571 את 853 מעכה 4601 אמו 517 ויסרה 5493 מגבירה 1377 אשׁר 834 עשׂתה 6213 מפלצת 4656 לאשׁרה 842 ויכרת 3772 אסא 609 את 853 מפלצתה 4656 וישׂרף 8313 בנחל 5158 קדרון׃ 6939
