Hosea 3

Hosea 3:1

GOe get] For a signe that God had oftentimes renewed his Covenant with his people, forgiving them their sinnes which were past: as especially under Jehu his raigue, 2 Kings 9:10 Love] This must also be understood the same way, and in the same sense: as Hosea 1:2 Flaggons of ne] He intimates their dissolute manner of living; which is the ordinary companion of Idolatry: see Exod. 32. 6 1. Cor. 10. 7. even as corporall fornication drawes gluttony and drunkennesse along with it.

Hosea 3:2

I bought] the Italian, I got me] He hath a relation to the ancient custome, by which husbands did give dowries for their wives, Gen. 29. 18. 27. and 34. 12. 1 Samuel 18:25 For fifteene] This so small price seemes to signifie, that although God did in some manner hold on his Covenant with the ten tribes; yet he communicated but some small parcels of his graces unto them; bestowing the whole plenty upon Judah

Hosea 3:3

And I said] namely, after she had gone astray Thou shalt abide] that is to say; I will separate thee from mee for some time; keeping thee, as it were shut up, to hinder thine unstadnesse: untill such time as I take thee to me againe; as I intend to doe, not putting thee away from mee for ever.

Hosea 3:4

For the] By this figure, I will have thee to set forth the state of thy people, which for their Idolatries, shall be seperated from the grace and communion of their God; without any Kingdome or forme of common wealth: and without any exercise of true Religion, or yet of Idolatry, untill the time of their conversion to Gods grace by the Gospel Ephod] The name of a Priestly garment, Exodus 28:4. under which is comprehended all the service of the Church.

Hosea 3:5

David] namely; The Messias, the Son of David according to the flesh: see Jeremiah 30:9. Ezekiel 34:3; Ezekiel 34:24. This is opposite and contrary to the sep ration of the ten tribes from the Kingdome of Judah.