מלכים א, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ב׳

The brief reign of the king was deeply shaped by the negative spiritual influence of his family, particularly his mother. His rule lasted for a span of three years, though this period was not composed of three full years, but rather partial, fragmented ones [מצודת דוד].

The king's mother, Maacah, was the daughter or granddaughter of Absalom, King David's son [רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. While she is identified by a different name and lineage in the Book of Chronicles, she is the exact same woman. Interestingly, the historical record intentionally omits Absalom's connection to David. This omission serves as a silent condemnation, reflecting the fact that Absalom rebelled against his father and failed to behave as a loyal son [רלב״ג].

Highlighting the mother's identity is not merely a genealogical detail; it is a vital key to understanding the king's own failures. Maacah absorbed the corrupt traits of her father and later became infamous for constructing a monstrous idol. By pointing out her background, the narrative clarifies exactly why the king did evil in the eyes of God. His moral and spiritual downfall was a direct result of his mother's profound influence, as she actively passed down her wicked practices to her son [רלב״ג, רד״ק].