And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
He took the book of the covenant - namely, the writing in which, as stated in Exodus 24:4, were inscribed the conditions of the national covenant as embodied in the words and laws of God (see the notes at Deuteronomy 4:13-14).
And read in the audience of the people - probably first to the elders or representatives, by whom it was rehearsed to the various sections of the people in succession.
They said, All that the lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. Since the law is termed a covenant, into which the Israelites were on their part to enter voluntarily and with self-consciousness, an express declaration to this effect had to be asked and obtained; and on the renewed acceptance of the terms by the people, the ceremony was performed which indicated its solemn ratification, by sprinkling the blood half on each party in the transaction.