The Targum is, “and they added and did evil works; and he said unto him call their name, who obtained not mercy by their works:” for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel ; as he had heretofore, sparing them time after time, though they continued to sin against him; but now he would spare them no longer, but deliver them up into the hands of their enemies, as he did a part of them, first into the hands of Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and then to Shalmaneser, ( 2 Kings 15:29 17:3,6), otherwise, in the latter day, mercy will be shown them again, especially in a spiritual way, when they shall be converted, and believe in Christ, and all Israel shall be saved, as well as possess their own land again; (see Hosea 1:10,11 Romans 11:26): but I will utterly take them away ; out of their land, from being a kingdom and nation, which was done by Shalmaneser, another king of Assyria, ( Kings 17:6), or, “bringing I will bring into them”, or “against them” f21 ; that is, an enemy, the same king of Assyria: or, “but forgetting I will forget them” f22 , as some render it, and remember them no more, till the fulness of time comes: or, “through pardoning I have pardoned”, or “spared them” f23 ; that is, in times past. The Targum is, “but if they return, pardoning I will pardon them;” which will be done in the latter day.

Matthew Henry Commentary

Hos. 1:1-7 Israel was prosperous, yet then Hosea boldly tells them of their sins, and foretells their destruction. Men are not to be flattered in sinful ways because they prosper in the world; nor will it last long if they go on still in their trespasses. The prophet mus show Israel their sin; show it to be exceedingly hateful. Their idolatry is the sin they are here charged with. Giving that glory to any creature which is due to God alone, is an injury and affront to God; such as for a wife to take a stranger, is to her husband. The Lord, doubtless, had good reasons for giving such a command to the prophet; it would form an affecting picture of the Lord's unmerite goodness and unwearied patience, and of the perverseness an ingratitude of Israel. We should be broken and wearied with half tha perverseness from others, with which we try the patience and grieve the Spirit of our God. Let us also be ready to bear any cross the Lor appoints. The prophet must show the ruin of the people, in the name given to his children. He foretells the fall of the royal family in the name of his first child: call his name Jezreel, which signifie "dispersion." He foretells God's abandoning the nation in the name of the second child; Lo-ruhamah, "not beloved," or "not having obtaine mercy." God showed great mercy, but Israel abused his favours. Sin turns away the mercy of God, even from Israel, his own professin people. If pardoning mercy is denied, no other mercy can be expected Though some, through unbelief, are broken off, yet God will have church in this world till the end of time. Our salvation is owing to God's mercy, not to any merit of our own. That salvation is sure, of which he is the Author; and if he will work, none shall hinder.

Hos. 1:8-11 The rejection of Israel for a time, is signified by the name of another child: call him Lo-ammi, "not my people." The Lor disowns all relation to them. We love him, because he first loved us but our being cast out of covenant, is owing to ourselves and ou folly. Mercy is remembered in the midst of wrath; the rejection, as it shall not be total, so it shall not be final. The same hand tha wounded, is stretched forth to heal. Very precious promises are her given concerning the Israel of God, and they may be of use to us now Some think that these promises will not have accomplishment in full till the general conversion of the Jews in the latter days. Also thi promise is applied to the gospel, and the bringing in both the Jews an Gentiles to it, by St. Paul, Rom. 9:25,26, and by St. Peter, I Pet 2:10. To believe in Christ, is to have him for our Head, and willingl to commit ourselves to his guidance and government. And let us pray for the coming of the glorious day, when there shall be one Lord throug all the earth __________________________________________________________________

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