Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 23:6
6. Brought out the grove Rather, the Asherah image, mentioned in 2 Kings 21:7. Kidron See on 2 Kings 23:4. Graves of the children of the people That is, of the common people. See Jeremiah 26:23. 2 Chronicles 34:4, says, “Upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them;” but that passage seems to refer to other images of Asherah, to which, however, many of the common people may have often sacrificed. The object of casting the powder, or dust, of these images on the graves may... read more
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 23:5
5. Put down The margin is better, he caused to cease; he set them aside by prohibiting their idolatrous service, and destroying all their places of worship. The idolatrous priests The chemarim, ( כמרים ,) These are mentioned again at Hosea 10:5, and Zephaniah 1:4, where they seem to be the priests of the calf-worship. Here they are described as those whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places, and are distinguished from the priests of Baal and other... read more