Jeremiah 36:20

20 And they entered to the king, into the hall; forsooth they betook the book to be kept into the treasury of Elishama, the scribe. And they told all the words, in audience of the king. (And then they went to the king, in the hall; and they had put the book in the chamber of Elishama, the writer, or the court secretary, for safekeeping. And they told everything to the king.)

Jeremiah 36:20 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 36:20

And they went in to the king into the court
The inner court, the king's court, where he usually resided; though very probably they did not rush in at once; but first sent to know whether the king could be spoke with, or would admit them, they having something to communicate to him; which they might do by the person in waiting, by whom they were introduced: but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe;
they did not take it with them, but left it in the secretary's office; and, no doubt, put it up safe in some chest or scrutoire, as something valuable, and not to be exposed to everyone; or to be thrown about, torn, or trampled on, as a book of no use and value: very probably it was with the consent of Baruch that it was left with them: and this was a point of prudence in them not to take it with them when they went to the king: and told all the words in the ears of the king;
that is, the sum and substance of them; for it cannot be thought they should remember every word in the roll; but the main of it they did, and rehearsed it in a very audible manner.

Jeremiah 36:20 In-Context

18 Forsooth Baruch said to them, Of his mouth he spake, as reading to me, all these words; and I wrote in a book with ink. (And Baruch said to them, He spoke all these words out of his mouth, as if reading to me, and I wrote them down with ink in a book.)

19 And all the princes said to Baruch, Go, be thou hid, thou and Jeremy; and no man know where ye be. (And all the officers said to Baruch, Go, be thou hid, thou and Jeremiah; and let no one know where ye be.)

20 And they entered to the king, into the hall; forsooth they betook the book to be kept into the treasury of Elishama, the scribe. And they told all the words, in audience of the king. (And then they went to the king, in the hall; and they had put the book in the chamber of Elishama, the writer, or the court secretary, for safekeeping. And they told everything to the king.)

21 Therefore the king sent Jehudi, that he should take the book. Which took the book from the treasury of Elishama, the scribe, and read in audience of the king, and of all the princes that stood about the king. (And so the king sent Jehudi, to get the book. Who brought the book from the chamber of Elishama, the writer, or the court secretary, and then he read it before the king, and before all the officers who stood about the king.)

22 Forsooth the king sat in the winter house, in the ninth month; and a pan full of coals was set before him.