◄ Hosea 10:7 ►
Samaria will be carried off with her king like a twig on the surface of the water.
Study Bible
Samaria
Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, established by King Omri. It became a symbol of the idolatry and rebellion against God that characterized the northern tribes. The city was strategically located and fortified, yet its spiritual decay led to its downfall. In the Hebrew text, "Samaria" (שֹׁמְרוֹן, Shomron) signifies a place of watch or guard, ironically highlighting how the city failed to guard its covenant with God.

will be carried off
This phrase indicates the impending judgment and exile. The Hebrew root for "carried off" (נָדַד, nadad) conveys the idea of wandering or fleeing. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled when the Assyrians conquered Samaria in 722 BC, leading to the dispersion of the Israelites. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.

with her king
The mention of the king underscores the complete overthrow of the political and religious leadership. The king, likely Hoshea, was the last ruler of Israel before the Assyrian conquest. His inability to lead the people back to God resulted in the nation's downfall. This highlights the biblical principle that leadership is accountable to God and that the spiritual state of a nation often reflects its leaders.

like a twig
The imagery of a "twig" (קֶשֶׁת, qeshet) suggests fragility and insignificance. In the turbulent waters of political upheaval and divine judgment, Samaria and its king are portrayed as powerless and easily swept away. This metaphor emphasizes the futility of relying on human strength and alliances instead of God.

on the surface of the water
The "surface of the water" (פְּנֵי מַיִם, penei mayim) evokes a sense of instability and transience. Just as a twig is carried away by the current, so too will Samaria be swept away by the forces of judgment. This serves as a powerful illustration of the fleeting nature of earthly power and the enduring sovereignty of God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Samaria
The capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often used to represent the entire kingdom. It was a center of idolatry and political intrigue.

2. The King of Samaria
Represents the leadership of the Northern Kingdom, which was often characterized by unfaithfulness to God and alliances with foreign powers.

3. The Northern Kingdom of Israel
The ten tribes that split from Judah after Solomon's reign, frequently falling into idolatry and eventually conquered by Assyria.

4. Assyrian Conquest
The historical event where the Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom, leading to the exile of its people.

5. Prophet Hosea
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to Israel, using his own life as a symbolic representation of God's relationship with Israel.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Idolatry
Just as Samaria and its king were swept away, so too can our lives be destabilized when we place anything above God.

The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Power
Earthly power and security, like a twig on water, are temporary and unreliable. True security is found in God alone.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God's judgment is just and inevitable for those who persist in rebellion. We must heed His warnings and turn back to Him.

The Importance of Godly Leadership
The downfall of Samaria highlights the impact of ungodly leadership. We should pray for and support leaders who honor God.

Hope in Repentance
While judgment is certain for unrepentant sin, God's desire is for His people to return to Him, offering hope and restoration.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of a "twig on the surface of the water" illustrate the fate of Samaria and its king?

2. In what ways can idolatry manifest in our lives today, and how can we guard against it?

3. How does the fall of Samaria serve as a warning for nations and individuals who turn away from God?

4. What characteristics should we look for in leaders to ensure they are guiding us in a way that honors God?

5. How can we find hope and assurance in God's promises, even when facing the consequences of our actions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 17
Describes the fall of Samaria and the reasons for Israel's exile, highlighting their idolatry and disobedience to God.

Isaiah 28:1-4
Speaks of the pride and downfall of Ephraim, another name for the Northern Kingdom, using similar imagery of fleeting beauty and destruction.

Psalm 1:4
Contrasts the stability of the righteous with the instability of the wicked, who are like chaff blown away by the wind, similar to the imagery of a twig on water.
Sermons
Foam Upon the WaterJ.R. Thomson Hosea 10:7
The Calves and the KingsC. Jerdan Hosea 10:1-8
The End of Calf-WorshipJ. Orr Hosea 10:4-8
People
Hosea, Jacob, Jareb, Shalman
Places
Assyria, Aven, Beth-arbel, Beth-aven, Bethel, Gibeah, Gilgal, Samaria
Topics
Chip, Chips, Cut, Face, Float, Foam, Mist, Perish, Samaria, Sama'ria's, Stick, Surface, Twig, Waters
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hosea 10:5-8

     7233   Israel, northern kingdom

Library
'Fruit which is Death'
'Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. 2. Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: He shall break down their altars, He shall spoil their images. 3. For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the Lord; what then should a king do to us? 4. They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Divided Heart
I intend, however, to take the text this morning specially with reference to our individual condition. We shall look at the separate individual heart of each man. If divisions in the great main body--if separation among the distinct classes of that body should each promote disasters, how much more disastrous must be a division in that better kingdom--the heart of man. If there be civil tumult in the town of Mansoul, even when no enemy attacks its walls, it will be in a sufficiently dangerous position. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

How to Promote a Revival.
Text.--Break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.--Hosea x. 12. THE Jews were a nation of farmers, and it is therefore a common thing in the Scriptures to refer for illustrations to their occupation, and to the scenes with which farmers and shepherds are familiar. The prophet Hosea addresses them as a nation of backsliders, and reproves them for their idolatry, and threatens them with the judgments of God. I have showed you in my first …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Books of the Old Testament as a Whole. 1 the Province of Particular Introduction is to Consider the Books of the Bible Separately...
CHAPTER XVIII. THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AS A WHOLE. 1. The province of Particular Introduction is to consider the books of the Bible separately, in respect to their authorship, date, contents, and the place which each of them holds in the system of divine truth. Here it is above all things important that we begin with the idea of the unity of divine revelation--that all the parts of the Bible constitute a gloriously perfect whole, of which God and not man is the author. No amount of study devoted …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Arbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
"Arbel a city of Galilee."--There is mention of it in Hosea 10:14. But there are authors which do very differently interpret that place, viz. the Chaldee paraphrast, R. Solomon, Kimchi: consult them. It was between Zippor and Tiberias. Hence Nittai the Arbelite, who was president with Josua Ben Perahiah. The valley of Arbel is mentioned by the Talmudists. So also "The Arbelite Bushel." "Near Zephath in Upper Galilee was a town named Shezor, whence was R. Simeon Shezori: there he was buried. There …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Letter Xli to Thomas of St. Omer, after He had Broken his Promise of Adopting a Change of Life.
To Thomas of St. Omer, After He Had Broken His Promise of Adopting a Change of Life. He urges him to leave his studies and enter religion, and sets before him the miserable end of Thomas of Beverley. To his dearly beloved son, Thomas, Brother Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, that he may walk in the fear of the Lord. 1. You do well in acknowledging the debt of your promise, and in not denying your guilt in deferring its performance. But I beg you not to think simply of what you promised, but to …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
DO not mistake me, I do not say that of their own nature the worst things are good, for they are a fruit of the curse; but though they are naturally evil, yet the wise overruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying them, they are morally good. As the elements, though of contrary qualities, yet God has so tempered them, that they all work in a harmonious manner for the good of the universe. Or as in a watch, the wheels seem to move contrary one to another, but all carry on the motions of the watch: …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Barren Fig-Tree;
OR, THE DOOM AND DOWNFALL OF THE FRUITLESS PROFESSOR: SHOWING, THAT THE DAY OF GRACE MAY BE PAST WITH HIM LONG BEFORE HIS LIFE IS ENDED; THE SIGNS ALSO BY WHICH SUCH MISERABLE MORTALS MAY BE KNOWN. BY JOHN BUNYAN 'Who being dead, yet speaketh.'--Hebrews 11:4 London: Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion, in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1688. This Title has a broad Black Border. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn, searching, awful treatise, was published by Bunyan in 1682; but does not appear …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
Acts ix. 6. Acts ix. 6. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do. THESE are the words of Saul, who also is called Paul, (Acts xiii. 9,) when he was stricken to the ground as he was going to Damascus; and any one who had looked upon him in his present circumstances and knew nothing more of him than that view, in comparison with his past life, could have given, would have imagined him one of the most miserable creatures that ever lived upon earth, and would have expected …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
Rom. viii. 1.--"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." There are three things which concur to make man miserable,--sin, condemnation, and affliction. Every one may observe that "man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward," that his days here are few and evil. He possesses "months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed" for him. Job v. 6, 7, vii. 3. He "is of few days and full of trouble," Job xiv. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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