1 Kings 15 · a question people ask
Was Maacah Abijam's mother or Asa's?
1 Kings 15 says the same words of both kings. Of Abijam: "His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom" (15:2). Of Asa, whom 15:8 calls Abijam's son: "His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom" (15:10), and "He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen" (15:13). 2 Chronicles says, "In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah" (2 Chronicles 13:1), and "His mother’s name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah" (2 Chronicles 13:2). Of Asa it says, "Also Maacah, the mother of Asa the king, he removed from being queen mother" (2 Chronicles 15:16). The chapter doesn't say who Abishalom was. None of these verses explains how they fit together, and readers have explained them in more than one way. These notes set the verses side by side and don't choose.
The verses
“He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.”
“Abijam slept with his fathers, and they buried him in David’s city; and Asa his son reigned in his place.”
“He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.”
“He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen, because she had made an abominable image for an Asherah. Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron.”