11 And Michaiah son of Gemariah, son of Shaphan, heareth all the words of Jehovah from off the book, 12 and he goeth down 'to' the house of the king, unto the chamber of the scribe, and lo, there are all the heads sitting: Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan son of Acbor, and Gemariah son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the heads. 13 And declare to them doth Micaiah all the words that he hath heard, when Baruch readeth in the book in the ears of the people; 14 and all the heads send unto Baruch, Jehudi son of Nethaniah, son of Shelemiah, son of Cushi, saying, 'The roll in which thou hast read in the ears of the people take in thy hand, and come.' And Baruch son of Neriah taketh the roll in his hand and cometh in unto them, 15 and they say unto him, 'Sit down, we pray thee, and read it in our ears,' and Baruch readeth in their ears, 16 and it cometh to pass, when they hear all the words, they have been afraid one at another, and say unto Baruch, 'We do surely declare to the king all these words.' 17 And they asked Baruch, saying, 'Declare, we pray thee, to us, how didst thou write all these words—from his mouth?' 18 And Baruch saith to them, 'From his mouth, he pronounceth unto me all these words, and I am writing on the book with ink.' 19 And the heads say unto Baruch, 'Go, be hidden, thou and Jeremiah, and let no one know where ye 'are'.'

20 And they go in unto the king, to the court, and the roll they have laid up in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and they declare in the ears of the king all the words.

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!