Hosea 13:10

I will be thy king: where [is any other] that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?

I will {H165} be thy king {H4428}: where {H645} is any other that may save {H3467} thee in all thy cities {H5892}? and thy judges {H8199} of whom thou saidst {H559}, Give {H5414} me a king {H4428} and princes {H8269}?

So now, where is your king, to save you in all your cities? Where are your judges, of whom you said, 'Give me a king and leaders'?

Where is your king now to save you in all your cities, and the rulers to whom you said, “Give me a king and princes”?

Where now is thy king, that he may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges, of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?

Commentary

Hosea 13:10 delivers a powerful declaration from God to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), emphasizing His rightful sovereignty and their folly in seeking human kings and other sources of salvation instead of Him. It is a rhetorical challenge, highlighting the futility of their chosen path in the face of divine judgment.

Context

The prophet Hosea delivered his message to Israel during a period of significant political instability and spiritual decline, just before the nation's final conquest and exile by Assyria in 722 BC. Chapters 11-13 of Hosea lament Israel's persistent rebellion, idolatry, and reliance on foreign alliances rather than on God. This specific verse looks back to the nation's foundational mistake of rejecting God's direct rule through judges in favor of a human monarchy, a decision first recorded in 1 Samuel 8:5. God reminds them that He was, and always should have been, their true King and only Savior, questioning the efficacy of any earthly ruler to deliver them from the impending disaster.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Exclusive Deliverance: God asserts His singular role as Israel's King and the only one capable of providing true salvation or deliverance. The rhetorical question, "where [is any other] that may save thee in all thy cities?" underscores that no human power, no matter how strong, can stand against divine judgment or offer genuine rescue. This theme resonates with Isaiah 43:11, which states, "I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour."
  • Israel's Rejection of God's Rule: The verse directly references Israel's historical demand for a king, highlighting their persistent pattern of choosing human leadership over divine guidance. This act was seen by God as a rejection of Himself (1 Samuel 8:7). Their pursuit of earthly "kings and princes" ultimately led them away from their divine protector and towards destruction.
  • The Folly of Human Reliance: The passage serves as a stark warning against placing ultimate trust in human systems, leaders, or military might. When facing judgment, earthly powers prove utterly inadequate to save. This concept is mirrored in Psalm 33:16, "There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength."

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "where [is any other] that may save thee" adds an interpretive nuance to the Hebrew. The original Hebrew can be read more directly as "Where then is your king, that he may save you?" or "Where then is your king, that he may defend you?" The inclusion of "[is any other]" by the translators emphasizes the rhetorical nature of the question, making God's point about His unique saving power even more explicit. The Hebrew word for "save" here is yasha (יָשַׁע), which encompasses not just spiritual salvation but also physical deliverance, rescue, and victory from enemies or distress. This broad meaning highlights the comprehensive nature of God's potential protection that Israel rejected.

Practical Application

Hosea 13:10 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today. It challenges us to examine where we place our ultimate trust and hope. Do we look to political leaders, financial security, human institutions, or our own abilities for salvation and security? Or do we acknowledge God as our true King and the sole source of ultimate deliverance and well-being? This verse encourages a posture of humility and dependence on God, reminding us that only He possesses the power to truly save, whether from personal struggles or societal crises. It calls us to return to Him as our sovereign Lord, rejecting any idol—be it a person, system, or philosophy—that seeks to usurp His rightful place in our lives.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 8:4 (6 votes)

    They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew [it] not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.

  • 1 Samuel 8:5 (5 votes)

    And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

  • 1 Samuel 8:6 (5 votes)

    But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

  • Hosea 10:3 (4 votes)

    For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?

  • Psalms 149:2 (2 votes)

    Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

  • 1 Samuel 8:19 (2 votes)

    Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

  • 1 Samuel 8:20 (2 votes)

    That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.