Hosea 13:2

“And now they sin more and more, etc.] Since the times of Jeroboam, and also of Ahab, adding other deities to the calves, and to Baal, as follows; increasing the number of their idols, and their idolatrous sacrifices, rites, and ceremonies: this they did in the times the prophet, who prophesied after the times of as it is common with evil men and seducers to wax worse and worse, and to proceed to more ungodliness, and from evil to evil; such is the way of idolaters, they stop not, but run into greater absurdities and grosser idolatries: and have made them molten images of their silver: which is to be understood, not of the calves, or of Baal, made of gold, which they purchased with their…”

“according to their own understanding--that is, their arbitrary devising. Compare "will-worship," Col 2:23. Men are not to be "wise above that which is written," or to follow their own understanding, but God's command in worship. kiss the calves--an act of adoration to the golden calves (compare Kg1 19:18; Job 31:27; Psa 2:12).”

“And now they sin more and more - Sin draws on sin. This seems to be a third stage in sin. First, under Jeroboam, was the worship of the calves. Then, under Ahab, the worship of Baal. Thirdly, the multiplying of other idols (see 2 Kings 17:9-10), penetrating and pervading the private life, even of their less wealthy people. The calves were of gold; now they “made them molten images of their silver,” perhaps plated with silver. In Egypt, the mother of idolatry, it was common to gild idols, made of wood, stone, and bronze. The idolatry, then, had become more habitual, daily, universal. These idols were made of “their silver;” they themselves had had them “molten” out of it. Avaricious as they…”

“Of them - Of the idols. Let the man - Let all that bring their offerings to these idols, worship and adore, and shew they do so by kissing the calves. Hosea 13:4”

“13:2 The Hebrew word translated idols is the same one used of the gold calf (Exod 32:4, 8; see also Hos 10:5-6; Amos 5:5-6). • kiss the calf idols: The Canaanite religious rituals included kissing images of Baal (1 Kgs 19:18).”

“now: Num 32:14; Ch2 28:13, Ch2 33:23; Isa 1:5, Isa 30:1; Rom 2:5; Ti2 3:13 sin more and more: Heb. add to sin have made: Hos 2:8, Hos 8:4, Hos 10:1; Psa 115:4-8; Isa 46:6; Jer 10:4; Hab 2:18, Hab 2:19 according: Hos 11:6; Psa 135:17, Psa 135:18; Isa 44:17-20, Isa 45:20, Isa 46:8; Jer 10:8; Rom 1:22-25 the men that sacrifice: or, the sacrificers of men kiss: Sa1 10:1; Kg1 19:18; Psa 2:12; Rom 11:4 Hosea 13:3”