Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 7:16

16 They return , but not to the most High : they are like a deceitful bow : their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue : this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt .

They sometimes have given some signs of returning, as when Iehu destroyed Baal, or Hoshea gave liberty to Israel to go up to Ierusalem, (if it be true which some affirm of him) and if I were sure Hoshea did this, I should think the Prophet aim'd at it, in this they return.

Jehu fell off to the Calves, and Hoshea's Reign was wicked too too much, though the reigns of other Kings were more wicked, what shew soever of Repentance among them, yet they never throughly repented, never fully embraced the law of God.

All was done (as the similitude elegantly sets it forth) in meer hypocrisie, though they seem'd bent for, and aiming at the mark, yet like a weak bow they carried not the arrow home, and like a false bow they never carried it strait toward the mark.

The Royal Family, principal Nobles and Magistrates, their brave Commanders and Leaders.

Be slain by either sword of base, false and bloody Traytors at home, or by sword of Forreigners, as the Assyrian.

Against God, his Prophets and Providence, which to decry with scorners was their usual diversion, ver. 5.

This sad end

Shall be upbraided to them.

Among their Allies and seeming Friends.

Marginal references: Psal. 78.57.; Psal. 73.9.