The sword; either intestine or foreign wars, or both. Shall abide; shall be long, not be as a sudden incursion which doth much mischief to surprised and unfortified places, but it shall be a lasting war; three years Samaria was besieged, so the sword did abide. On his cities; all the cities of Ephraim, the enemy should have courage and leisure to attend the siege of every one of them. Shall consume; shall prevail to take, sack, burn, and ruin the branches. His branches; lesser towns and villages. Devour them; swallow them up with speed and ease, without remedy. Because of their own counsels; which they first took, 1 Kings 12:28, and ever since irreclaimably have followed, in opposition to all the good counsels the prophets gave them from time to time, to all which they have turned a deaf ear; they have sued for Egypt and Asshur's favour, and slighted mine.
Related Commentaries of Hosea 11:6
Hosea 11:6
6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.