Verse 1

Come, and let a us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

(a) He shows the people that they ought to turn to the Lord, so that he might stop his plagues.

Verse 2

After two days will b he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

(b) Though he correct us from time to time, yet his help will not be far off, if we return to him.

Verse 4

O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for c your goodness [is] as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

(c) You seem to have a certain holiness and repentance, but it is very sudden, and as a morning cloud.

Verse 5

Therefore have I d hewed [them] by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy e judgments [are as] the light [that] goeth forth.

(d) I have still laboured by my prophets, and as it were prepared you to bring you to correction, but all was in vain: for my word was not food to feed them, but a sword to slay them.

(e) My doctrine which I taught you, was most evident.

Verse 6

For I desired f mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

(f) He shows to what his doctrine was aimed at, that they should unite the obedience of God, and the love of their neighbour, with outward sacrifices.

Verse 7

But they g like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.

(g) That is, like small and weak persons.

Verse 8

h Gilead [is] a city of them that work iniquity, [and is] polluted with blood.

(h) Which was the place where the priests dwelt, and which should have been best instructed in my word.

Verse 11

Also, O Judah, he hath set an i harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.

(i) That is, imitates your idolatry, and has taken grafts of your trees.