Rashi on Tanakh1 Kings 15

Rashi

Read 1 Kings 15 in the Bible

1 Kings 15:1

In the eighteenth year [of the reign] of King Yerovom. One year after Rechovom’s death, in the twentieth year of Yerovom, Asa reigned. The third year of Nodov (Aviyam) is counted for King Asa as a year, and for him it is also counted.

1 Kings 15:12

And he rid [the land] of prostitutes. [Targum] Yonoson rendered, “and he abolished the prostitutes.”

1 Kings 15:13

He removed from her position of authority. From being queen.
For she had made a fearful image. Our Rabbis stated [that מפלצת is a combination of] מפליא ליצונתא [=extreme lasciviousness]. She made for it a phallic symbol,1Alternatively, an image that casts fear and dread unto its worshipers.—Radak and she would copulate with it every day.2Maseches Avodah Zarah 44a.

1 Kings 15:14

[However] the [private] altars he did not remove. The private altars upon which they had become accustomed to sacrifice to Heaven since Shiloh had been destroyed until the Beis [Hamikdosh] was built, when private altars were permissible, were not removed now, even though they were forbidden once the Beis [Hamikdosh] was built, and they were punished by premature death because of it.

1 Kings 15:22

There will be no exceptions. Even a bridegroom from his chamber,3Not even Torah scholars were exempt and Asa was punished for this. See Maseches Sotah 10a. concerning whom it is stated, “he shall be free for his home one year.”4Devarim 24:5.

1 Kings 15:25

Two years. The second and the third [year] of Asa.

1 Kings 15:33

It was during the third year of Asa king of Yeudah, Bashah son of Achiyoh became king. The third year of Asa is counted for Nodov and Bashah.5The in year in which Basha killed Nodov was during the third year of Asa’s [above v. 28] reign, and it is counted for both kings.

Rashi on Tanakh — Rashi. Metsudah Publications / Judaica Press · CC BY