Hosea 13:1

“When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel, etc.] Or, with trembling, as Jarchi: so Jeroboam, who was of the tribe of Ephraim, spake before Solomon, a great king, as he observes. R. Moses the priest interprets it of Jeroboam; but it may be understood of the tribe in general, and especially of the heads of it, at anytime before it fell into idolatry; when they spake with submission and humility, they were attended to by the other tribes in all consultations and debates, and great deference was paid unto them; and they were find in great esteem, and highly honoured, agreeably to that common saving of our Lord, “he that humbleth himself shall be exalted”, (<421411>Luke 14:11);…”

“EPHRAIM'S SINFUL INGRATITUDE TO GOD, AND ITS FATAL CONSEQUENCE; GOD'S PROMISE AT LAST. (Hos. 13:1-16) This chapter and the fourteenth chapter probably belong to the troubled times that followed Pekah's murder by Hoshea (compare Hos 13:11; Kg2 15:30). The subject is the idolatry of Ephraim, notwithstanding God's past benefits, destined to be his ruin. When Ephraim spake trembling--rather, "When Ephraim (the tribe most powerful among the twelve in Israel's early history) spake (authoritatively) there was trembling"; all reverentially feared him [JEROME], (compare Job 29:8-9, Job 29:21). offended in Baal--that is, in respect to Baal, by worshipping him (Kg1 16:31), under Ahab; a more heinous…”

“When Ephraim spake trembling - that is, probably “there was ‘trembling.’” : “Ephraim was once very awful, so as, while he spake, the rest of the tribes were ready to tremble.” The prophet contrasts two conditions of Ephraim, of prosperity, and destruction. His prosperity he owed to the undeserved mercy of God, who blessed him for Joseph’s sake; his destruction, to his own sin. There is no period recorded, “when Ephraim spake trembling,” i. e., in humility. Pride was his characteristic, almost as soon as he had a separate existence as a tribe (see the note at Hosea 5:5). Under Joshua, it could not be called out, for Ephraim gained honor, when Joshua, one of themselves, became the captain of…”

“Ephraim - The ten tribes, of which Ephraim was the chief. Spake trembling - Humbled himself before God. Exalted himself - The kingdom flourished. When he offended - So soon as they sinned, taking Baal to be their God. He died - They lost their power and glory. Hosea 13:2”

“13:1 At the height of its power, the tribe of Ephraim evoked terror among other Israelites (see Isa 7:2). • and thus sealed their destruction (literally and he [Ephraim] died): Because of their idolatry, they had cut themselves off from the Lord, the only true source of life.”

“Ephraim: Sa1 15:17; Pro 18:12; Isa 66:2; Luk 14:11 exalted: Num 2:18-21, Num 10:22, Num 13:8, Num 13:16, Num 27:16-23; Jos 3:7; Kg1 12:25 offended: Hos 11:2; Kg1 16:29-33, Kg1 18:18, Kg1 18:19; Kg2 17:16-18 died: Gen 2:17; Rom 5:12; Co2 5:14 Hosea 13:2”

“Because Israel would not desist from its idolatry, and entirely forgot the goodness of its God, He would destroy its might and glory ( Hos 13:1-8). Because it did not acknowledge the Lord as its help, its throne would be annihilated along with its capital; but this judgment would become to all that were penitent a regeneration to newness of life. Hos 13:1. "When Ephraim spake, there was terror; he exalted himself in Israel; then he offended through Baal, and died. Hos 13:2. And now they continue to sin, and make themselves molten images out of their silver, idols according to their understanding: manufacture of artists is it all: they say of them, Sacrificers of men: let them kiss calves."…”