Verse 1
This chapter details the prophecy of the doom of Israel as typically enacted in the tragic marital experience of the prophet himself. The infidelity of Hosea's wife, Gomer, portrayed the apostasy of Israel; and Hosea's altruistic and unfailing love depicted the unmerited love and favor of God which continued to be lavished upon faithless Israel. The names given through inspiration to the three children also foreshadowed the ultimate rejection and destruction of the once "chosen people." Thus, the word of the prophet took on new power and validity because, "It was a word spoken by one whose life authenticated the word."[1] Overwhelming interest in this chapter and in the two succeeding chapters focuses upon the enigma of Hosea's marriage, which was contracted according to the "commandment of the Lord." Ward was of the opinion that the mystery is insoluble; and he suggested that, "The scholarly preoccupation with the enigma of Gomer has distracted from the primary task of interpreting what these chapters actually say."[2] Regarding the reason why Gomer's marriage to Hosea is regarded here as historical fact, rather than as an allegory or vision, see the introduction, above.
"The word of Jehovah that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel."
"Word of Jehovah unto Hosea ..." It would be far better to translate through Hosea here, instead of unto Hosea. Of course, scholars are divided on this; but, as Ward pointed out, "Through Hosea is the correct meaning of the preposition,"[3] thus making it clear that the word given in this prophecy is the Word of God, and not merely the word of Hosea.
Nothing is known either of Hosea or his father Beeri, except the information that may be derived from the prophecy itself.
"Uzziah, Jotham, etc .... kings of Judah ..." It has seemed strange to some that a prophet of the northern kingdom should have dated his prophecy primarily by the kings of Israel; but all of the prophets realized that Israel's doom was imminent and that the true seat of the theocracy was in Jerusalem, not in Samaria. The minimum and maximum dates indicated by this whole list of kings Isaiah 27 years (742-715 B.C.) and 96 years (783-687 B.C.). Homer Hailey's assumption of a date from 750 B.C. and for some indefinite period afterwards[4] is as practical as any that may be assigned.
"Jeroboam the son of Joash ..." "is the same as Jeroboam II.
"Hosea ..." This name means "deliverance," or "salvation,"[5] indicating that Hosea himself stands in the prophecy as a type of God Himself, especially in the matter of his unselfish and constant love for his sinful wife.
The historical background indicated in this first verse was one of great turbulence and instability. Following the long and prosperous reign of Jeroboam II (in the northern kingdom), no other really strong monarch appeared. He was succeeded by his son Zechariah who was murdered after only six months by Shallum who took the throne, thus ending the dynasty of Jehu; but Shallum was murdered and succeeded by Menahem after only one month. Menahem reigned ten years and was succeeded by his son Pekahiah, who after two years was murdered and succeeded by Pekah; he was murdered and succeeded by Hosea whose nine year reign ended in the disastrous overthrow of Israel in 722 B.C. when the nation was destroyed and carried into Assyrian captivity. Details of all these things are found in 2 Kings 15-17 and related passages of the Old Testament. "Although Hosea predicted the defeat and captivity of Israel, he still may have lived through that event. He would have been very old."[6]
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