Hosea 5 is a prophetic indictment against the priests, the house of Israel, and the house of the king for their deep rebellion and spiritual prostitution. It declares that God will withdraw from them until they acknowledge their offense and earnestly seek Him.

Hosea 4 pronounces God's judgment on Israel for their widespread sin and lack of knowledge of Him. It warns of the consequences of rejecting God and calls for a return to covenant faithfulness.

Hosea 3 records Yahweh's instruction to the prophet to love a woman who is loved by another and is an adulteress, mirroring Yahweh's love for Israel despite their turning to other gods. The chapter describes the purchase of the woman, a period of waiting without prostitution, and a prophecy that Israel will live many days without king or sacrifice before returning to seek Yahweh and David their king.

Hosea 2 presents God's legal case against Israel for spiritual adultery, describing her pursuit of lovers who supplied what God had actually given. The chapter moves from judgment to a stunning promise of restoration, where God allures her, betroths her forever, and reverses the names of rejection.

Hosea 1 describes God's command to the prophet Hosea to marry a woman of prostitution and to give their children symbolic names that announce judgment on Israel. Yet the chapter ends with a promise that Israel will one day be called children of the living God and be reunited under one head.