General preface vii
Author’s preface ix
Chief abbreviations x
To the reader . . . 1
Part 1: A parable from life 7
A DISTRACTED FAMILY
(Hosea 1 – 3)
1. Introducing Hosea (1:1) 9
2. An ominous beginning (1:2-9) 11
3. A rift in the clouds (1:10 – 2:1) 16
4. The lovers and the Lover (2:2-23) 19
5. ‘Love… as the Lord loves’ (3:1-5) 30
Part 2: The parable spelt out 35
HOW CAN I GIVE YOU UP?
(Hosea 4 – 14)
6. A people without understanding (4:1-19) 37
7. The prospect darkens (5:1-14) 46
8. Let us press on to know the Lord (5:15 – 7:2) 51
9. Decadence (7:3-16) 57
10. Sowing the wind, reaping the whirlwind (8:1-14) 62
11. Wanderers among the nations (9:1-17) 69
12. ‘Time to seek the Lord’ (10:1-15) 75
13. ‘How can I give you up?’ (11:1-11) 82
14. Look back and learn! (11:12 – 12:14) 87
15. The unmaking of a kingdom (13:1-16) 93
16. The way home (14:1-9) 98
Addenda
Map: Assyria and the west 105
Map: The break-up of Israel 106
Chronological table 107
A bird’s-eye view of the book 113

Derek Kidner (M.A., A.R.C.M.) was formerly warden of Tyndale House, Cambridge. He wrote several volumes in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series.