Hosea 10

Hosea 10:1

AN emptie vine] Or, a vine emptying the fruit which it giveth. Whereof though the grapes were gathered (for Pul king of Assyria pild them, 2 Kings 15:20.) yet ever as it gathered new strength, it increased new wickednesse, so that the correction which should have brought them to obedience, did but utter their stubbornnesse.

he hath increased the altars] Chap. 8. 11. & 12. 11.

to the goodnesse of his land] As they were rich and had aboundance by the fertilitie of the land, so they became more idolatrous, Deuteronomy 32:15.

images] Heb. statues or standing images.

Hosea 10:2

Their heart] Or, he hath divided their heart.

divided] To wit, from God, who having taken away his Spirit of peace and concord from them, hath given them over to seditions, factions, and frequent murthers of their princes, which will cause the utter ruine of the kingdome. See 2 King. 15. 10 14. 25. 30.

break] Heb. behead.

Hosea 10:3

For now they shall say] Within a very short time God shall take away their king, and then they shall feele the fruit of their sinnes, and how they trusted in him in vain, 2 Kings 17:6. 7.

what then] Though we had one, yet he could not free us or defend us.

Hosea 10:4

swearing falsely] To God, in promising him conversion and service. Or to their king, obliging themselves to be faithfull to him. Or to the king of Assyria being under him, but swearing falsely, and conspiring with the king of Egypt, 2 King. 17. 3, 4.

jugement springeth up as hemlock] Thus their integritie and fidelitie which they pretended, was nothing but bitternesse and griefe. Others, for this Gods judgements shall multiply like hemlock, or other poysonous hearbs which grow in aundance in the fields.

Hosea 10:5

Samaria shall fear] Seeing their idols taken and carried away by the enemies.

because of the calves] Heb. the cows, or cow calves. He calleth those calves so in contempt.

Beth-aven] See Hosea 4:15.

the people thereof shall mourn] To wit, of the calfe: meaning that they were no more worthy to be called Gods people, but the people of the calfe their idol. See Numbers 21:29.

the priests thereof] Or, Chemarim. Heb. Chemarims. Who were certain idolatrous priests, which did weare black apparell in their sacrifices, and cried with a loud voice: which superstition Elijah derided, 1 Kings 18:27. read 2 Kings 23:5.

Hosea 10:6

It shall be also carried unto Assyria] Namely, the calfe. According to the custome of carrying away the idols of those nations which were conquered. See Isa. 46. 1, 2.

king Jareb] To the king protector, namely, the king of Assyria, whom the Israelites had chosen for their protector and defender, Chap. 5. 13.

of his own counsell] Namely, of that which he hath undertaken of his own minde, beyond, and against the will of God, Psalms 106:43. Hosea 11:6. Or, of conspiring with the king of Egypt against the king of Assyria, 2 Kings 17:4.

Hosea 10:7

the water] Heb. the face of the water.

Hosea 10:8

Aven] Which is the same as Beth-aven. This he speaketh in contempt of Bethel, read Chap. 4. 15.

the sinne of Israel] The object and instrument of idolatry, Deuteronomy 9:21.

the thorn and the thistle] Chap. 9. 6.

and they shall say to the mountains] Isaiah 2:19. Luke 23:30. Revelation 6:16. and Revelation 9:6.

Cover us] Words of such persons as desire death, for fear of evils that are greater then death; and of such as are in despaire.

Hosea 10:9

from the dayes of Gibeah] Judg. 19. 14. Chap. 9. 9. The horrible sinnes of Gibeah, Judg. 19. 22. which were then so severely punished, do still continue and increase in thee.

there they stood] Though their fathers were no better then they of Gibeah, against whom they warred because of their infamous wickednesses, yet the Lord delivered them out of those bloudy battels.

Hosea 10:10

that I should chastise them] Because they are so desperately evil, I will satisfie my wrath with their just punishment.

shall be gathered against them] Chap. 8. 10.

when they shall bind themselves] Or, when I shall bind them for their two transgressions, or in their two habitations, that is, Israel and Judah.

two furrows] That is, when they have gathered all their strength together. Or it may have relation to the two invasions of the kings of Assyria, 2 Kings 15:29. & 2 Kings 17:3. And because the Assyrians had been as the lovers of the children of Israel, Chap. 8. 9, 10. the Prophet useth a word which signifyeth an appointment of some unchast meeting.

Hosea 10:11

to tread out] Wherein is pleasure, as in ploughing is labour and pain: even so my people would enjoy my blessings, but would not be subject to the yoke of mine obedience and discipline.

her faire neck] Heb. the beauty of her neck. I will tame her and bring her into subjection.

I will make Ephraim to ride] Now I will handle Ephraim more hardly, the whole nation shall be carried captive into Assyria: neither wil I spare Judah, but he shall plough and harrow, that is, suffer misery by the Babylonish captivitie: and this was lesse and more tolerable then that of the ten tribes, as it is lesse trouble to the beast that plougheth and harroweth, then to the horse that is ridden, specially by a rigid rider.

Hosea 10:12

Sow to your selves] Indeavour your selves to do goodworkes, and the Lord shall be propitious to you: prepare your hearts, which are like a waste ground, by true repentance, to receive Gods grace, which is like a shower of rain.

break up your fallow ground] Jeremiah 4:3.

righteousnesse upon you] Namely, his grace and blessing, according to the truth of his promises. Others understand this to be spoken of Christ, who brought the true righteousnesse into the world, Daniel 9:24. to receive which, the preparation of the heart is necessarily required.

Hosea 10:13

Ye have ploughed wickednesse] Job 4:8. Proverbs 22:8. Galatians 6:7. By art and endevour, you have stirred up and practised your naturall malice, to cause it to produce many evill acts.

reaped iniquity] Namely, the just punishment thereof.

ye have eaten the fruit of lyes] Ye have in effect tried what vanity was in your hopes, grounded upon your wickednesses, and upon humane strength.

Hosea 10:14

Shalman spoiled Betharbel] 2 Kings 18:34. & 2 Kings 19:13. This history is mentioned no where else. Some hold this to be the same as Shalmaneser, 2 Kings 17:3. and Betharbel to be the name of some citie taken and destroyed by him. 1 Mac. 9. 2. there is mention made of Arbel, which may be the same with this.

the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children] A proverbiall kind of speech, to describe a totall destruction. See Genesis 32:11. Chap. 13. 16.

Hosea 10:15

So shall Bethel do unto you] Your idolatry which you runne headlong into, the chiefe whereof is Bethel, shall be the cause of your destruction in the same kind.

your great wickednesse] Heb. the evill of your evill.

in a morning] As soon as the day prefixed for Gods judgements to light upon him shall appeare. Or suddenly.

shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off] Hoshea, 2 Kings 17:4.