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'.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 36:17-19
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.