Book of Hosea Chapter 13 Vs. 11

 The Lord's Relentless Judgment on Israel

I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath. Hos. 13:11

I gave thee... This refers to Saul who was given to them to be their first king (1 Samuel 8-10), and who was taken away in God’s wrath (1Sa. 15:22-28; 16:13-14; 31:1-13; 1Ch. 10:13-14). Not the king of Assyria, sent to waste and destroy them, and carry them captive, as some think, for of him the next clause cannot be said. Nor Jeroboam, the first king of the ten tribes, as others, who was not given in anger to Israel, but to Solomon. Rather Saul, as Kimchi and Aben Ezra, the first king of all Israel; and who was given at the request of the people, though in anger and resentment, they are rejecting God their King. Or it may design the kingly office and power in general, in a succession of kings from him the first of them.

נָתַן

nâthan

naw-than'

A primitive root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.): - add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, X avenge, X be ([healed]), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit consider, count, + cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute do, X doubtless, X without fail, fasten, frame, X get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), X have, X indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), + lie, lift up, make, + O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, X pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up). + sing, + slander, strike, [sub-] mit, suffer, X surely, X take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, + weep, X willingly, + withdraw, + would (to) God, yield.

מֶלֶךְ

melek

meh'-lek

From H4427; a king: - king, royal.

in my wrath... God was angry when he gave such kings to Israel, and he was no better pleased when he took them away. They were punishments when given, and it was punishment to Israel when they were taken away. If you read this verse in the future tense, as you may, I will give them a king in my anger, it may refer to God’s giving the king of Assyria the rule over them. Making them his vassals; and I will take away (i.e. you), O Israelites, “in my wrath”, I will destroy some, and send others into captivity. I will take all away out of your land, and send you in wrath to the grave, or captives into Assyria.

אַף

'aph

af

From H599; properly the nose or nostril; hence the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire: - anger (-gry), + before, countenance, face, + forbearing, forehead, + [long-] suffering, nose, nostril, snout, X worthy, wrath.

When He hath destroyed thee, O Israel-who then may help thee? Where is thy king now? that he may save thee, or all thy princes? that they may rule thee; those of whom thou hast said, Give me a king and princes. Aye, I give thee a king in Mine anger, and I take him away in My wrath! Fit summary of the short and bloody reigns of these last years.

God had never wanted Israel to have an earthly king. He wanted to be their only King. They kept insisting on having a king like the countries around them, until God gave them Saul to be their king. It turned out he was not a good king and God in His wrath, destroyed him, and put David in his place as king.

לָקַח

lâqach

law-kakh'

A primitive root; to take in the widest variety of applications: - accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, in-fold, X many, mingle, place, receive (-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.

When the Lord would come to destroy (Hos. 13:9) no one would be able to save the people, not even the political leaders they had demanded from the Lord (Hos. 13:10; cf. 10:3, 10:7, 10:15).

עֶבְרָה

‛ebrâh

eb-raw'

Feminine of H5676; an outburst of passion: - anger, rage, wrath.

In My anger I gave you a king probably refers to the Northern tribes’ part in crowning Saul (1Sam. 8:6-9; 12:12), as well as their secession under Jeroboam I (1Kgs. 12:16). Hos. 13:11 refers to the cessation of Israel’s kingship with Hoshea (2Kgs. 17:1-6).