Hosea 8:4

“They have set up kings, but not by me, etc.] Not by his authority, order, and command; not by asking advice of him, or his leave, but of themselves, and of their own, accord: this refers to the case of Jeroboam their first king, after their separation from the house of David, and from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin; for though his becoming king of Israel was according to the secret will of God, and by his overruling providence; yet it was done without his express orders, and without asking counsel of him, or his consent, and of their own heads; and many of his successors were conspirators, and set up themselves with the consent of the people, to the dethroning of others, and upon the…”

“kings . . . not by me--not with My sanction (Kg1 11:31; Kg1 12:20). Israel set up Jeroboam and his successors, whereas God had appointed the house of David as the rightful kings of the whole nation. I knew it not--I approved it not (Psa 1:6). of . . . gold . . . idols-- (Hos 2:8; Hos 13:2). that they may be cut off--that is, though warned of the consequences of idolatry, as it were with open eyes they rushed on their own destruction. So Jer 27:10, Jer 27:15; Jer 44:8.”

“They have set up kings, but not by ME - God Himself foretold to Jeroboam by Ahijah the prophet, that He would “rend the kingdom out of the hands of Solomon, and give ten tribes” to him, “and” would “take” him, “and” he “should reign according to all that” his soul desired and” should “be king over Israel” 1 Kings 11:31, 1 Kings 11:37; and, after the ten tribes had made Jeroboam king, God said by Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam and the two tribes, “Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel; return every man to his house, for this thing is from Me” 1 Kings 12:22-24. Yet although here, as everywhere, man’s self-will was overruled by God’s will, and fulfilled…”

“They - Israel. Kings - Shallum, Menahem, Pekah, and Hosea. Not by me - Not by my direction. Knew it not - Did not approve of it. Hosea 8:5”

“8:4 appointed kings without my consent: The Israelites quickly disposed of one king and appointed another if they thought it might save their nation (see 7:7). They did all of this without consulting their true king, the Lord.”

“set: Kg1 12:16-20; 2Kings 15:10-30 "Shallum, Menakem, Pekahiah." I knew. Mat 25:12; Luk 13:25, Luk 13:27; Joh 10:14; Gal 4:9 of: Hos 2:8, Hos 13:2; Kg1 12:28, Kg1 16:31 that they: Hos 13:9; Kg1 13:34; Jer 44:7, Jer 44:8; Eze 18:31 Hosea 8:5”

“The proof of Israel's renunciation of its God is to be found in the facts mentioned in Hos 8:4. "They have set up kings, but not from me, have set up princes, and I know it not: their silver and their gold they have made into idols, that it may be cut off." The setting up of kings and princes, not from Jehovah, and without His knowledge, i.e., without His having been asked, refers chiefly to the founding of the kingdom by Jeroboam I. It is not to be restricted to this, however, but includes at the same time the obstinate persistence of Israel in this ungodly attitude on all future occasions, when there was either a change or usurpation of the government. And the fact that not only did the…”