3:1 Then said the LORD unto me, a Go yet, love a woman beloved
of [her] friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of
the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other
gods, and b love flagons of wine.
(a) In this the Prophet represents the person of God, who
loved his Church before he called her, and did not
withdraw his love when she gave herself to idols.
(b) That is, gave themselves wholly to pleasure, and could
not stop, as those that are given to drunkenness.
3:2 So c I bought her to me for fifteen [pieces] of silver,
and [for] an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:
(c) Yet I loved her and paid a small portion for her, lest
she would have perceived the greatness of my love, and
abused me, and not been under duty: for fifteen pieces
of silver was but half the price of a slave; (Ex 21:32).
3:3 And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for d me many days;
thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for
[another] man: so [will] I also [be] for thee.
(d) I will try you a long time as in your widowhood, whether
you will be mine or not.
3:4 For the children of Israel shall e abide many days without
a king, and without a f prince, and without a sacrifice,
and without an image, and without an ephod, and [without]
teraphim:
(e) Meaning not only all the time of their captivity, but
also until Christ.
(f) That is, they would neither have administration nor
religion, and their idols also in which they put their
confidence, would be destroyed.
3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the
LORD their God, and g David their king; and shall fear the
LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
(g) This is meant of Christ's kingdom, which was promised to
David to be eternal; (Ps 72:17).
