1)
Why didn't the previous verse mention eradicating the Asherah?
1.
Malbim: The previous verse discusses the Heichal. The Asherah was in the Azarah, next to the Mizbe'ach.
2)
What is "Kever Bnei ha'Am"?
1.
Radak: It is the people who served them in their lifetimes. He put the ashes on them to disgrace them - 'see what you served in your lifetimes!', so the living would be chastised. And so it says in Divrei ha'Yamim II, 34:4 "Al Pnei ha'Kevarim ha'Zovechim Lahem." The word Samuch [to ha'Zovechim] is omitted. It means
