And the prophets. — That is, the numerous members of the prophetic order, who at this time formed a distinct class, repeatedly mentioned in the writings of Jeremiah (e.g., Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 5:31; Jeremiah 6:13), as well as of older prophets. The Targum has the scribes, the γραμματεύς of the New Testament, a class which hardly existed so early. Chron. and some MSS. reads the Levites. (See Note on 2 Chronicles 34:30.)
All the men of Judah ... inhabitants of Jerusalem ... the people. — A natural hyperbole, Of course the Temple court would not contain the entire population.
And he read. — Perhaps the king himself; but not necessarily. (Comp., e.g., 2 Kings 22:10; 2 Kings 22:16.) Qui facit per alium facit per se. The priests were charged to read the Law to the people (Deuteronomy 31:9, seq.) at the end of every seven years.
Small and great — i.e., high and low. (Comp. Psalms 49:2.)