Matthew Henry Commentary Deuteronomy 31:9-13

"And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and unto all the elders of Israel. And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of [every] seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, when all Israel is come to appear before Jehovah thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and thy sojourner that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear Jehovah your God, and observe to do all the words of this law; and that their children, who have not known, may hear, and learn to fear Jehovah your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over the Jordan to possess it." — Deuteronomy 31:9-13 (ASV)

Although we read the Word in private, we must not think it unnecessary to hear it read in public. This solemn reading of the Law must be done in the year of release. The year of release was a type of gospel grace, which is called the acceptable year of the Lord; for our pardon and liberty through Christ commit us to His commandments.

It must be read to all Israel—men, women, children, and foreigners. It is the will of God that all people should acquaint themselves with His Word. It is a rule for all, and therefore should be read to all. Whoever has read of the efforts made by many people to get scraps of the Scriptures, when a whole copy could not be obtained or safely possessed, will see how thankful we should be for the thousands of copies among us.

They will also understand the very different situation in which the Israelites were placed for many ages. But the human heart is so careless that all will be found insufficient to maintain a knowledge of the truths, precepts, and worship of God.