1 Kings 15:13

“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…”

“also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen--The sultana, or queen dowager, was not necessarily the king's natural mother (see Kg1 2:19), nor was Maachah. Her title, and the privileges connected with that honor and dignity which gave her precedency among the ladies of the royal family, and great influence in the kingdom, were taken away. She was degraded for her idolatry. because she had made an idol in a grove--A very obscene figure, and the grove was devoted to the grossest licentiousness. His plans of religious reformation, however, were not completely carried through, "the high places were not removed" (see Kg1 3:2). The suppression of this private worship on natural or…”

“Asa degraded Maachah from the rank and state of queen-mother. The word translated “idol” both here and in the parallel passage (marginal reference), does not occur elsewhere in Scripture. It is derived from a root signifying “fear” or “trembling,” and may perhaps best be understood as “a fright, a horror.” Such a name would seem best to apply to a grotesque and hideous image like the Phthah of the Egyptians. She made it to serve in lieu of the ordinary “grove” - asherah, or idolatrous emblem of Astarte (Exodus 34:13 note). Asa cut it down, for like the usual “asherah,” Maachah’s “horror” was fixed in the ground. And burnt it at the brook Kidron - Similarly Josiah, when he removed Manasseh’s…”

“He removed - He took from her either the name and authority of queen regent, which she, having been Rehoboam's wife, and Abijam's mother, took to herself during Asa's minority; or, the dignity of the queen mother, and those guards, or instruments of power, which she had enjoyed and misemployed. An Idol - Heb. a terror, or horror, that is, an horrible idol; which it may be so called, because it was of a more terrible shape than ordinary, and not to be seen without horror. Kidron - That when it was burnt to powder, it might be thrown into the water, and be unfit for any use. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 15:14”

“Maachah: Kg1 15:2, Kg1 15:10; Ch2 15:15, Ch2 15:16-19 his mother: Deu 13:6-11, Deu 33:9; Zac 13:3; Mat 10:37, Mat 12:46-50; Co2 5:16; Gal 2:5, Gal 2:6, Gal 2:14 destroyed: Heb. cut off, Lev 26:30; Deu 7:5; Kg2 18:4, Kg2 23:12-15; Ch2 34:4 and burnt: Exo 32:20; Deu 9:21; Jos 6:24 the brook: Sa2 15:23; Kg2 23:6; Joh 18:1, Cedron 3 Kings (1 Kings) 15:14”