And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
As it was difficult to persuade proud people that the overthrow was at hand, which Hosea had foretold, seeing, as they did, that they were furnished with many defences, it is therefore now added, that their fortified cities would not prevent the enemy to break through, and to devastate the whole country, and to lead away the people captive. We now understand how this verse is connected with the last.
When Israel was weak and helpless as children, God set His love upon them and bore them as a nurse bears the sucking child. Those whom God loves He calls out of bondage into the glorious liberty of His children.
AI summary
Commenting on Hosea 11:1-7
And the sword shall abide on the cities,.... Or "shall fall" (y), and continue; meaning the sword of the Assyrians, whereby Ephraim should be brought into subjection to them, and the king of Assyria become king over them; his sword should be drawn, and rest upon them, not only on their chief city Samaria, besieged three years by him, but upon all their other cities...