Jeremiah 36:20

20 After depositing the scroll in the room of Elishama the secretary, they went in to the courtyard and 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 Barukh answered them, "He said all these words to me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the scroll."
19 At this, the officials said to Barukh, "Go and hide yourselves, you and Yirmeyahu; don't let anyone know where you are."
20 After depositing the scroll in the room of Elishama the secretary, they went in to the courtyard and told everything to the king.
21 The king sent Y'hudi to bring the scroll, and he took it from the room of Elishama the secretary. Y'hudi read it to the king and all the officials standing near the king.
22 The king was sitting in his winter house; and since it was the ninth month, he had a fire burning in the stove in front of him.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.