Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 23:4

"And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring forth out of the temple of Jehovah all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of heaven, and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el." — 2 Kings 23:4 (ASV)

The priests of the second order. —Thenius is probably right in reading the singular, the priest of the second rank, i.e., the high priest’s deputy, according to the Targum, unless the heads of the twenty-four classes are intended (“the chief priests” of the New Testament). (See also 2 Kings 25:18.)

The keepers of the door (threshold).—The three chief warders (2 Kings 25:18).

Out of the temple — i.e., out of the principal chamber or holy place.

For Baal ... grove. —For the Baal ... Asherah (as also in 2 Kings 23:6–7; 2 Kings 23:15).

Burned them. —According to the law of Deuteronomy 7:25; Deuteronomy 12:3. (Compare to 1 Chronicles 14:12.)

Outside Jerusalem. —As unclean.

In the fields of Kidron. —North-east of the city, where the ravine expands considerably. (also 1 Kings 15:13.)

Carried the ashes of them to Beth-el. —This is undoubtedly strange, and Chronicles says nothing about it. If the ashes of the vessels were sent to Beth-el, why not also those of the idols themselves, and the fragments of the altars (2 Kings 23:6–12)? The text appears to be corrupt.