Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 7:9

9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not : yea gray hairs are here and there upon him , yet he knoweth it not .

Forreigners, whose aid Ephraim sought as 2 Kings. 15.19, 20. When Menahem bought the Friendship of Pul King of Assyria for one thousand Talents of silver, and impoverisht the Land thereby.

Eat up, lived upon, as men live on Bread they eat.

The Riches, and Goods of the Kingdom of Israel, the Fruit of the Olive and Vine, the Fruit of the Earth, Corn; the increase of their flocks, and of their Herds; the most or best of all eaten up by Strangers; either Souldiers in Garrison among them, or else courted by Presents, and Rich Gifts sent to them.

Is not sensible either of the cause why, or the tendency of this hasty Consumption of all▪ still they are secure, and sin as much as ever.

The manifest Symptoms of approaching Death, undeniable tokens of old Age▪ and declining Strength never recoverable are upon their Kingdom, like grey-hairs that are here and there intermixt on the head of a man, what with Domestick Seditions, and Forreign Invasions, and the fears, cares, and griefs from both, Ephraim, is turned grey-headed, his vital Vigour and Strength decayeth, and this is a Fore-runner of his Death.

So secure and stupid, that no notice is taken of this, nor any course thought of for preventing the dismal effects of this declining Consumptive state; none turn from sin, none seek to God the only Physitian that can heal.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]