Asa relieved Maacah from being queen mother.
This term is difficult to interpret. The ESV and other translations use the name of a position used by some modern monarchies to denote the title given to the wife of a deceased monarch. This situation is not exactly the case in Judah at that time, since in a polygamous royal family it is difficult to know to whom the title queen
belongs. We do not know whether the Hebrew term speaks of a position of merely ceremonial importance of position in the court or official power in the nation. Regardless of which it is, Asa removed Maacah from it.
Of greater importance than the nature of the position while she held it is the reason that the king deposed her. The reason was stated that she made an image of Asherah, who was a pagan goddess of love
and fertility. What was said previously concerning the likelihood of the execution of the male cult prostitutes might also be said concerning Maacah.
Asa’s action did not end with the deposition of Maacah. He cut down the image and burned it at the brook Kidron, a stream that passed through Jerusalem. It is possible that the stream is mentioned because Asa also took the ashes and threw them into the water. This action would have symbolized the carrying away of the pollution of the idol.
13 He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah. And Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron.