Hosea 5:8

“Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, [and] the trumpet in Ramah, etc.] As an alarm of war, to give notice that the enemy is at hand, just ready to invade the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and bring destruction upon them; according to the Targum, the words are directed to the prophets, “O ye prophets, lift up your voice like a trumpet;” to declare to the people of Judah their sins and transgressions, and the punishment that would be inflicted on them for them; or it may be, this is a call of the people to fasting, mounting, and lamentation, as in (<290201>Joel 2:1,15). Gibeah is the same which is called “Gibeah of Saul”, (<091104>1 Samuel 11:4); it being the birth place of that prince; and which…”

“The arrival of the enemy is announced in the form of an injunction to blow an alarm. cornet . . . trumpet--The "cornet" was made of the curved horn of animals and was used by shepherds. The "trumpet" was of brass or silver, straight, and used in wars and on solemn occasions. The Hebrew is hatzotzerah, the sound imitating the trumpet note (Hos 8:1; Num 10:2; Jer 4:5; Joe 2:1). Gibeah . . . Ramah--both in Benjamin (Isa 10:29). Beth-aven--in Benjamin; not as in Hos 4:15; Beth-el, but a town east of it (Jos 7:2). "Cry aloud," namely, to raise the alarm. "Benjamin" is put for the whole southern kingdom of Judah (compare Hos 5:5), being the first part of it which would meet the foe advancing from…”

“Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah - The evil day and destruction, denounced, is now vividly pictured, as actually come. All is in confusion, hurry, alarm, because the enemy was in the midst of them. The “cornet,” an instrument made of horn, was to be blown as the alarm, when the enemy was at hand. The “trumpet” was especially used for the worship of God. “Gibeah and Ramah” were cities of Benjamin, on the borders of Ephraim, where the enemy, who had possessed himself of Israel, would burst in upon Judah. From Bethaven or Bethel, the seat of Ephraim’s idolatry, on the border of Benjamin, was to break forth the outcry of destruction, “after thee, O Benjamin;” the enemy is upon thee, just behind…”

“Blow ye - Ye watchmen, sound the alarm, the enemy cometh. After thee, O Benjamin - After thy cries. After thee, O Beth - aven, let Benjamin also cry aloud: for they shall also fall for their sin. Hosea 5:9”

“5:8-9 Hosea sounded the alarm to warn the Israelites of God’s coming judgment. Because of their sins, the Lord had become Israel’s enemy and would punish them. • Gibeah, Ramah, and Beth-aven (Bethel) are all cities in the tribal territory of Benjamin.”

“Blow: Hos 8:1; Jer 4:5, Jer 6:1; Joe 2:1, Joe 2:15 Gibeah: Hos 9:9, Hos 10:9; Jdg 19:12-15, Jdg 20:4-6; Sa1 15:34; Sa2 21:6; Isa 10:29 Ramah: Sa1 7:17, Sa1 8:4, Sa1 15:34 Bethaven: Hos 4:15, Hos 10:5, Hos 10:8; Jos 7:2; Kg1 12:29 after: Jdg 5:14 Hosea 5:9”

“The prophet sees in spirit the judgment already falling upon the rebellious nation, and therefore addresses the following appeal to the people. Hos 5:8. "Blow ye the horn at Gibeah, the trumpet at Ramah! Raise the cry at Bethaven, Behind thee, Benjamin!" The blowing of the shōphâr, a far-sounding horn, or of the trumpet (Note: "The sophar was a shepherd's horn, and was made of a carved horn; the tuba (chătsōtserâh) was made of brass or silver, and sounded either in the time of war or at festivals." - Jerome.) (chătsōtserâh), was a signal by which the invasion of foes ( Hos 8:1; Jer 4:5; Jer 6:1) and other calamities ( Joe 2:1, cf. Amo 3:6) were announced, to give the inhabitants…”