Verse 1

Then said the LORD unto me, a Go yet, love a woman beloved of [her] friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and b love flagons of wine.

(a) In this the Prophet represents the person of God, who loved his Church before he called her, and did not withdraw his love when she gave herself to idols.

(b) That is, gave themselves wholly to pleasure, and could not stop, as those that are given to drunkenness.

Verse 2

So c I bought her to me for fifteen [pieces] of silver, and [for] an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:

(c) Yet I loved her and paid a small portion for her, lest she would have perceived the greatness of my love, and abused me, and not been under duty: for fifteen pieces of silver was but half the price of a slave; (Exodus 21:32).

Verse 3

And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for d me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for [another] man: so [will] I also [be] for thee.

(d) I will try you a long time as in your widowhood, whether you will be mine or not.

Verse 4

For the children of Israel shall e abide many days without a king, and without a f prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and [without] teraphim:

(e) Meaning not only all the time of their captivity, but also until Christ.

(f) That is, they would neither have administration nor religion, and their idols also in which they put their confidence, would be destroyed.

Verse 5

Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and g David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

(g) This is meant of Christ's kingdom, which was promised to David to be eternal; (Psalm 72:17).