1 Kings 15 10

1 Kings 15:10 kjv

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

1 Kings 15:10 nkjv

And he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His grandmother's name was Maachah the granddaughter of Abishalom.

1 Kings 15:10 niv

and he reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother's name was Maakah daughter of Abishalom.

1 Kings 15:10 esv

and he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.

1 Kings 15:10 nlt

He reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother was Maacah, the granddaughter of Absalom.

1 Kings 15 verses

1 Kings 15 10 Meaning

This verse serves as a crucial genealogical detail for King Asa of Judah, identifying the significant matriarchal figure of his lineage. While seemingly straightforward, the term "mother" here is understood in the broader biblical sense to denote an ancestress, specifically his grandmother. The identification of "Maacah the daughter of Abishalom" ties Asa directly to the influential royal house, highlighting both the prominence and the eventual challenge posed by this key female figure in his life and reign.

1 Kings 15 10 Context

1 Kings chapter 15 introduces King Asa of Judah. The verses immediately preceding (1 Kgs 15:1-8) provide an account of Asa's father, Abijam (also known as Abijah), and his short, unrighteous reign. Verse 10 provides a key genealogical detail concerning Asa's lineage, specifically naming his "mother," Maacah, and her father, Abishalom. This detail sets the stage for Asa's most notable early reform action described shortly after, where he removes Maacah from her influential position as queen mother because of her prominent involvement in idol worship (1 Kgs 15:13). Historically, the queen mother (gevira) held significant influence in the Judean court, often functioning as a regent or a powerful advisor. This verse is therefore not merely a passive genealogical entry but a precursor to a major conflict between the righteous King Asa and a deeply entrenched source of idolatry within the very heart of the royal family.

1 Kings 15 10 Word analysis

• His: Refers to Asa, the subject of this segment of Israel's royal history, the son of Abijam and grandson of Rehoboam. Asa is generally portrayed as one of the good kings of Judah.
• mother's: The Hebrew word is ʾem (אֵם). While literally "mother," in biblical genealogies, "mother" or "father" can often denote a progenitor or ancestress/ancestor further removed, especially in royal lines. Given that 1 Kgs 15:2 clearly states Maacah was Abijam's mother, and 2 Chr 11:20-22 confirms she was Rehoboam's wife and mother of Abijah (Abijam), this means Maacah was Asa's grandmother. The use of "mother" here could highlight her significant status as the influential gevira (queen mother/royal grandmother) rather than a strict biological relationship to Asa. This role carried immense political and religious authority.
• name was: A standard biblical construction used to identify individuals, placing emphasis on their identity and role within the narrative.
• Maacah: The proper noun, significant due to her high royal status and subsequent idolatrous activities detailed later in the narrative. She is central to the challenge Asa faced in his reforms. Her name itself (from a root meaning "to press," "to squeeze") doesn't immediately suggest her later actions, but her character is defined by them.
• the daughter of: This phrase, bat-, emphasizes her lineage and, consequently, her royal pedigree and influential standing. It firmly establishes her place within a recognized and powerful family line.
• Abishalom: Generally identified by scholars as Absalom, King David's son (2 Sam 3:3; 13:37; 14:27), whose full name was Absalom. Maacah, his daughter, thus directly connects King Asa to David through a royal, though sometimes turbulent, branch of the Davidic family. The identification with Absalom adds another layer of tragic significance given Absalom's own rebellion and death, but here it underscores the prominence of the maternal lineage of Asa.

1 Kings 15 10 Bonus section

The specific form of Maacah's idolatry, the "abominable image for Asherah" (1 Kgs 15:13), signifies a specific Canaanite goddess often associated with fertility and depicted as a sacred pole or tree. Her prominent involvement suggests a deep syncretism that had permeated the royal court itself. Asa's act of removing her from her position as queen mother (which implies significant power) and destroying her idol was a radical demonstration of his commitment to the covenant, showing that even blood ties or social standing would not hinder the restoration of true worship. This particular conflict serves as a microcosm of Judah's ongoing struggle with pagan practices that continually challenged the nation's unique identity as God's chosen people.

1 Kings 15 10 Commentary

1 Kings 15:10 provides a terse yet profoundly significant detail regarding the lineage of King Asa. By identifying his "mother" (understood as grandmother/queen mother) as Maacah, daughter of Abishalom (Absalom), the text implicitly highlights several key themes. First, it connects Asa directly to the esteemed Davidic royal lineage through both paternal and maternal lines, emphasizing the enduring nature of the Davidic covenant. Second, the prominent naming of Maacah sets the stage for her subsequent scandalous involvement in idol worship. In the highly influential role of gevira (queen mother) in Judah, Maacah's apostasy would have posed a formidable obstacle to true worship, indicating a deeply rooted challenge for the young king. This seemingly minor genealogical note therefore introduces the first and most critical test of Asa's devotion to Yahweh, revealing the courageous action he would take to purge idolatry even from the most powerful figures within his own family. The verse underscores that the spiritual battle for Judah was fought not only against external threats but also against internal corruption and the powerful influences within the very seat of authority.