2 Chronicles 15:16 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Asa removes his own mother from queenship because she made an idol, and he personally destroys it.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 15:16
Asa demonstrates covenant seriousness by removing even his mother for idolatry.
What Does 2 Chronicles 15:16 Mean?
Despite family loyalty, Asa's commitment to the covenant is absolute. His mother Maachah held the position of queen mother—a position of authority and influence. Her idolatry represents a direct challenge to the covenant, and Asa responds by removing her from that position, demonstrating that no relationship supersedes the covenant with God.
The personal destruction of the idol—cutting it down, stamping it, burning it at Kidron—is thorough and public. By performing this destruction himself, Asa models the covenant commitment he demands of the nation. The brook Kidron is where later kings will also destroy idolatrous objects, establishing this as the place where idolatry is ritually destroyed and separated from Jerusalem.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 15:16
What does 2 Chronicles 15:16 mean?
Asa removes his own mother from queenship because she made an idol, and he personally destroys it.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 15:16?
Asa demonstrates covenant seriousness by removing even his mother for idolatry.