Verse 2

Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.

A roll — Parchments, which anciently were their books.

All the words — All the revelations he had from God for twenty-two years last past. God would have them recorded, that there might be a memorial of them, that so the truth of them might appear, when God should bring them to pass; the time of which now drew near.

Verse 6

Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD's house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.

Upon the fasting day — It was undoubtedly, because of the concourse of people which the prophet knew would that day be in the temple, that he chose that day, when some would be present from all parts of Judah.

Verse 10

Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD's house, in the ears of all the people.

Then read — Most likely out of some window, or balcony, the people being below, and hearing it.

Verse 18

Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.

He pronounced — This could not but add to the princes fear, they must needs conceive that without a special influence of God, it had been impossible, that Jeremiah should have called to mind all that he had spoken at several times in so many years.

Verse 22

Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.

The ninth month — Answered to part of our November and December.

Verse 23

And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.

He — The king not having patience to hear above three or four columns, or periods, cut it in pieces and burned it in the fire.

Verse 25

Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.

Elnathan — These princes seemed to have had a greater dread of God upon their hearts than the rest.

Verse 26

But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.

Hid them — God by his providence kept them both out of their hands; directing them to find such a place of recess as the kings messengers could not find out.

Verse 30

Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.

None to sit — That is, none that shall be king any considerable time. Jeconiah his son was set up, but kept his throne but three months.