The watchman of Ephraim was with my God— It should be, is with his God. The watchman is here evidently a title, by which some faithful prophet is distinguished from the temporizers and seducers. But who in particular is this watchman, thus honourably distinguished, and how is he "with his God?" I think the allusion is to Elijah and his miraculous translation. "Elijah, that faithful watchman, that resolute opposer of idolatry in the reign of Ahab and Jezebel, is now with his God, receiving the reward of his fidelity, in the enjoyment of the beatific vision: but the prevaricating prophets, who now are, are the victims of judicial delusion." The next verse alludes to the history of the young Levite, Judges 19.
Related Commentaries of Hosea 9:8
Hosea 9:8
8 The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.