2 Kings 23:4

“And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, etc.] Or the second course of the priests; the course of Jedaiah, (<132407>1 Chronicles 24:7) as some think; or rather, the two chief priests next to the high priest, who were of the line both of Eleazar and Ithamar; though the Targum interprets it of the Sagan of the priests, a deputy of the high priest, such as in later times the high priest had always appointed for him on the day of atonement f261: and the keepers of the door: the porters at the door and gates of the temple; or rather the treasurers, as the Targum; such as were appointed over the vessels of the sanctuary, as the Jewish writers generally…”

“HE DESTROYS IDOLATRY. (2Ki. 23:4-28) the king commanded Hilkiah, &c.--that is, the high priest and other priests, for there was not a variety of official gradations in the temple. all the vessels, &c.--the whole apparatus of idol-worship. burned them without Jerusalem--The law required them to be consigned to the flames (Deu 7:25). in the fields of Kidron--most probably that part of the valley of Kidron, where lies Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. It is a level, spacious basin, abounding at present with plantations [ROBINSON]. The brook winds along the east and south of the city, the channel of which is throughout a large portion of the year almost or wholly dry, except after heavy rains,…”

“A parenthesis giving the earlier reforms of Josiah. 2 Kings 23:4 The priests of the second order - This is a new expression; and probably refers to the ordinary priests, called here “priests of the second order,” in contrast with the high priest, whose dignity was reviving (2 Kings 12:2 note). The vessels - This would include the whole apparatus of worship, altars, images, dresses, utensils, etc., for Baal, etc. (2 Kings 21:3-5 notes). The ashes of the idolatrous objects burned in the first instance in the “fields of Kidron” (i. e., in the part of the valley which lies northeast of the city, a part much broader than that between the Temple Hill and the Mount of Olives) were actually taken to…”

“Second order - Either those two who were next in degree to the high - priest, and in case of sickness were to manage his work: or the heads of the twenty four courses which David had appointed. The grove - The image of the grove: it being most frequent to call images by the names of the persons or things which they represent. The fields - Adjoining to the brook of Kidron. To Beth - el - To shew his abhorrence of them, and that he would not give the ashes of them a place in his kingdom: and to pollute and disgrace that place which had been the chief seat and throne of idolatry. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 23:5”

“23:4 remove . . . all the articles: Josiah eliminated from the Temple detestable items associated with pagan worship. • terraces of the Kidron Valley: This area, near the Valley of Ben-Hinnom where the loathsome Molech rituals of child sacrifice had been carried out, became a place where ashes and dead bodies were taken (Jer 26:23). • Taking the ashes away to Bethel, where Jeroboam had erected one of his cult altars (1 Kgs 12:28-29), would defile the site forever.”

“priestss of the second order: These were either such as occasionally supplied the high priests's office, or those of the second course or order established by David. See the references. 1Chr. 24:4-19; Mat 26:3, Mat 27:1 the keepers: Kg2 22:4; 1Chr. 26:1-19 to bring: Kg2 21:3, Kg2 21:7; Ch2 33:3, Ch2 33:7, Ch2 34:3, Ch2 34:4 Baal: Kg2 17:16; Jdg 2:13; Kg1 16:31, Kg1 18:19, Kg1 18:26, Kg1 18:40, Kg1 19:18; Isa 27:9; Jer 7:9 Kidron: Sa2 15:23; Joh 18:1, Cedron Bethel: Kg1 12:29; Hos 4:15; Amo 4:4 4 Kings (2 Kings) 23:5”