Gra: They were for serving the Chamah (sun). The Asheros were made for the moon.

Malbim: They are forms of the Chamah (sun).

Gra: A king reigns in one of two ways. (a) He rules by himself by force. (b) All want him, and appoint him over them. Here it says Mamlachah (for all wanted him).

Malbim: Three matters can scare a king at the start of his kingship. (a) People who oppose him, like Yaravam opposed Rechav'am, and Aviyah feared his brothers, from whom he took kingship. Asa's kingship was quiet from this ? Yaravam was weakened before Asa became king, and his father's house agreed that he should be king, for he was the Bechor. (b) Rebels during his kingship. Then, he cannot build fortified cities and impose a heavy burden on the nation. Asa was able to build them (verse 5), for the land was quiet internally. (c) Wars from outside. It says "v'Ein Imo Milchamah" (verse 5).