11 When Micai'ah the son of Gemari'ah, son of Shaphan, heard all the words of the Lord from the scroll, 12 he went down to the king's house, into the secretary's chamber; and all the princes were sitting there: Eli'shama the secretary, Delai'ah the son of Shemai'ah, Elna'than the son of Achbor, Gemari'ah the son of Shaphan, Zedeki'ah the son of Hanani'ah, and all the princes. 13 And Micai'ah told them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the scroll in the hearing of the people. 14 Then all the princes sent Jehu'di the son of Nethani'ah, son of Shelemi'ah, son of Cushi, to say to Baruch, "Take in your hand the scroll that you read in the hearing of the people, and come." So Baruch the son of Neri'ah took the scroll in his hand and came to them. 15 And they said to him, "Sit down and read it." So Baruch read it to them. 16 When they heard all the words, they turned one to another in fear; and they said to Baruch, "We must report all these words to the king." 17 Then they asked Baruch, "Tell us, how did you write all these words? Was it at his dictation?" 18 Baruch answered them, "He dictated all these words to me, while I wrote them with ink on the scroll." 19 Then the princes said to Baruch, "Go and hide, you and Jeremiah, and let no one know where you are."
20 So they went into the court to the king, having put the scroll in the chamber of Eli'shama the secretary; and they reported all the words to the king.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 36:11-20
Commentary on Jeremiah 36:9-19
(Read Jeremiah 36:9-19)
Shows of piety and devotion may be found even among those, who, though they keep up forms of godliness, are strangers and enemies to the power of it. The princes patiently attended the reading of the whole book. They were in great fear. But even those who are convinced to the truth and importance of what they hear, and are disposed to favour those who preach it, often have difficulties and reserves about their safety, interest, or preferment, so that they do not act according to their convictions, and try to get rid of what they find troublesome.
Commentary on Jeremiah 36:20-32
(Read Jeremiah 36:20-32)
Those who despise the word of God, will soon show, as this king did, that they hate it; and, like him, they would wish it destroyed. See what enmity there is against God in the carnal mind, and wonder at his patience. The princes showed some concern, till they saw how light the king made of it. Beware of making light of God's word!