Jeremiah 36:11-15 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

When Michaiah, the son of Shaphan, had heard, &c. Shaphan's family were all great men at court: see note on Jeremiah 26:24; he went down into the king's house, &c. It is uncertain whether this Michaiah went to make this relation to the princes, who sat in the secretary's chamber, as a piece of news only, or out of a malicious design to accuse the prophet and Baruch, as persons guilty of a seditious practice, in what they had done. Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard That is, the substance of all the words, &c.; for none can imagine that a hearer could remember every word. Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi, &c. That is, all the princes who at that time sat there in council sent a messenger with a command to Baruch to appear before them, and to bring the roll which he had read in the ears of the people. And they said, Sit down now and read it. So Baruch read it The courage of Baruch is admirable; he was now before the council, in the king's house; the substance of the prophecies was, to threaten heavy judgments to the king, and court, and all the people; and the king, as appears by all history, was of a vindictive spirit, and a persecutor of God's prophets; and yet Baruch is not afraid, but reads the prophecy in their ears.

Jeremiah 36:11-15

11 When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,

12 Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.

13 Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.

14 Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.

15 And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears.