Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 5:6

6 They shall go with their flocks, and with their herds to seek the LORD , but they shall not find him : he hath withdrawn himself from them .

The people of Iudah say some, but I rather think 'tis spoken of the Ephraimites, and either implyes by what they did support their confidence of escaping ruin, or else foretels that extremity of sufferings should force them at last to offer sacrifices to God, and the Iewish Doctors do tell us, that under Hoshea's Reign Israel had liberty of bringing their Offerings and Sacrifices to Ierusalem, whether this were so or not;

'tis certain they did not seek him in right manner, it was with their flocks and herds, but not with their hearts, not with sound Repentance.

Whilst he might have been found they would not seek him, now as punishment, and to leave them remediless, God will not be found of them, he will not either accept a Sacrifice, or pardon their sin, or return to save them.

In displeasure hath withdrawn his favourable presence from them, and with resolution to leave them to the violences of the Assyrian powers.

Marginal references: Prov. 1.28. Isa. 1.15. Jer. 11.11. Ezek. 8.18. Mich. 3.4. Joh: 7.34.