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See the introduction under background for a possible explanation of the absence of any reference to Jeroboam’s successors (1:1). The reference to Gomer as an adulterous wife (v.2) does not necessarily refer to her behavior prior to her marriage to Hosea. It may simply describe her attitudes and tendencies. “Vilest adultery” (v.2) describes Israel’s worship of other gods since the nation is “married” to God through the Sinai covenant.
The Jezreel Valley (1:4-5) in northern Israel is where Jeroboam’s ancestor Jehu destroyed the previous ruling family, the house of Omri. Although he was acting in response to God’s command, the slaughter went far beyond any such command (2Ki 10:11-14). We do not know whether Zechariah died in Jezreel, but it is virtually certain that the devastating defeats at Assyria’s hand that signaled Israel’s end occurred in that valley (see on 10:14).
Judah was the militarily weaker of the two survivors of Solomon’s kingdom. If Israel could not fend off Assyria, what hope did Judah have? Nevertheless, Assyria never succeeded in conquering Judah. Why not? It was by the Lord their God (1:7).
Hos 1:9-2:1 deal with the great paradox of individuals suffering for their sins while the unconditional election of the nation still holds sway. Most of the people of that generation were not God’s people. Nevertheless, God would not break his promise to Abraham (1:10). The nation was his people and would continue to be until the day when one leader would unite the two parts in Jezreel. That Jesus Christ is intended here is indicated by the fact that Nazareth sits directly on the brow of the great escarpment on the northern side of the Jezreel Valley.