Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 13:15

15 ¶ Though he be fruitful among his brethren , an east-wind shall come , the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness , and his spring shall become dry , and his fountain shall be dried up : he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels .

Ephraim,

At present as a flourishing Tree seems to be fruitful, things in state seem to be well setled; peace at home, under Hoshea; and peace abroad with Assyria and Egypt.

And all his brethren surround him, either the rest of the Tribes, or the nations who by league are become as his brethren.

An Enemy as pernicious to his estate as the east-wind is to fruits, shall certainly come.

A mighty and violent Enemy called here the Wind of the Lord, the usual superlative among the Hebrew.

Which lay South East from Canaan, and so it speaks a more pernicious quality in these Enemies, as the South East Winds in that Countrey were of all most hot and blasting coming over those hot dry sandy Deserts.

Springs of Water which were most needful, and highly valued.

Shall fall and be cut off, dry up that there shall be no waters in them.

The same thing in different words confirming the certainty hereof. This the resemblance of the Assyrian and the mischief he shall do to Israel, he shall lay Ephraim desolate and dry up all his fountains which were the comfort of that Land.

The Assyrian Army, Salmaneser

Shall rob their Treasuries,

And carry away all desireable vessels, and furniture, out of all their Houses and Wardrobes, thus all the glory of Ephraim shall wither whilest 'tis seemingly flourishing and well rooted too.

Marginal references: Ezek. 19.12.; Heb. vessels of desire.