Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 7:15

15 Though I have bound , and strengthned their armes , yet do they imagine mischief against me .

But as for me, or and I.

Or chastised, as the word will bear, or instructed, either notion will well suit the place. When I had chastized them for their sins, as in Iehoahaz his time, I strengthned them in Iehoash his time, and in Ieroboams time, and made them stronger then their enemies. Or I taught them, gave them wisdom and skill to handle their weapons, so David speaks, Psal. 18.34. who teacheth my hands to war, and Psalm 144.1. But the sense best suits with what he took upon him before, if we retain it as our version hath it, bound, as a Chirurgion binds up a weakned member, or having set a broken one, doth with swathes and bands bind it up; so did God for Ephraim, when the Syrians and other enemies had broken their arms.

As I took care to bind, so I did, what none else could, give strength to them, both courage of mind, and strength of body, and success added to both; so they subdued them that had formerly wasted and spoiled them; what successes Iehoash, had, or Ieroboam had, I gave, and they should have own'd it, and been thankful, but

they contrived, laid their heads together, and designed what evil they could against me, they imputed their successes to their Idols, to their way of worship and hardened themselves against all thoughts of Repentance, and returning to me; and devised mischief against my Prophets, and let loose the reins to all impieties. This is their requital for all my love!

Marginal references: Or, chas[illegible: 2 letters]ed.