Hosea 14:3

“Ashur shall not save us, etc.] This is still a continuation of the words repenting and returning Israel are directed to make use of before the Lord, declaring they would not do any more as they had done; to Assyria, or the kings of Assyria, as the Targum, for help, and desire assistance, and expect deliverance and salvation from thence; (see <280513>Hosea 5:13 7:11 8:9); we will not ride upon horses; to seek for help elsewhere; or go to Egypt for them, as they had done; or put their trust in them for safety, in a time of war; or think to make their escape by them when in danger; (see <192008>Psalm 20:8 <233101>Isaiah 31:1,3); neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, [ye are]…”

“Three besetting sins of Israel are here renounced, trust in Assyria, application to Egypt for its cavalry (forbidden, Deu 17:16; compare Hos 7:11; Hos 11:5; Hos 12:1; Kg2 17:4; Psa 33:17; Isa 30:2, Isa 30:16; Isa 31:1), and idolatry. fatherless--descriptive of the destitute state of Israel, when severed from God, their true Father. We shall henceforth trust in none but Thee, the only Father of the fatherless, and Helper of the destitute (Psa 10:14; Psa 68:5); our nation has experienced Thee such in our helpless state in Egypt, and now in a like state again our only hope is Thy goodness.”

“Asshur shall not save us - After prayer for pardon and for acceptance of themselves, and thanksgiving for acceptance, comes the promise not to fall back into their former sins. Trust in man, in their own strength, in their idols, had been their besetting sins. Now, one by one, they disavow them. First, they disclaim trust in man, and making “flesh their arm” Jeremiah 17:5. Their disclaimer of the help of the Assyrian, to whom they had so often betaken themselves against the will of God, contains, at once, that best earnest of true repentance, the renewal of the confession of past sins, and the promise to rely no more on any princes of this world, of whom he was then chief. The horse, in like…”

“The fatherless - All that are destitute of strength in themselves, and destitute of help from others; all that being sensible of their own helpless condition, look for it from God, who hath power, mercy, and wisdom to help. Mercy - Both the fountain and streams of goodness too, free grace, and rich bounty. Hosea 14:5”

“14:3 The Israelites must renounce their dependence upon idols, foreign alliances, and their own military strength. Although they were God’s own children (11:1), they made themselves orphans through their rebellion. When they sincerely and completely repented, they could again find mercy.”

“Asshur: Hos 5:13, Hos 7:11, Hos 8:9, Hos 12:1; Ch2 16:7; Psa 146:3; Jer 31:18-22 we will not: Deu 17:16; Psa 20:7, Psa 20:8, Psa 33:17; Isa 30:2, Isa 30:16, Isa 31:3, Isa 36:8 neither: Hos 14:8, Hos 2:17; Isa 1:29, Isa 2:20, Isa 27:9; Eze 36:25, Eze 37:23, Eze 43:7-9; Mic 5:10-14; Zac 13:2 for: Exo 22:22-24; Psa 10:14, Psa 68:5, Psa 146:9; Pro 23:10, Pro 23:11; Joh 14:18 Hosea 14:4”