For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.
For they have made ready their heart - rather, 'they make their heart approach,' namely, their king, in going to drink with him (Henderson). But the English version makes the better sense, and is compatible with the Hebrew thus: "They made ready (literally, brought near; margin, applied) their heart" to sin. The "for" gives the reason of their breaking out so readily into open sin-for their hearts were always made by them near to sin, and ready for it, only waiting for the occasion to present itself.
Like an oven - following out the image in Hosea 7:4. As it conceals the lighted fire all night, while the baker sleeps, but in the morning burns as a flaming fire, so they brood mischief in their hearts, while conscience is lulled asleep, and their wicked designs wait only for a fair occasion to break forth (Horsley). The oven is their heart: the baker answers to the ringleader of the plot in each several instance of conspiracy against the reigning monarch (Henderson). Pusey makes the baker their own evil will, which stirs up whatever evil is in them: or Satan, who having loosed the evil thoughts in the soul, lets the fire and fuel of corrupt affections work together, ready to burst forth at the first opportunity. In Hosea 7:7 their plots appear-namely, the intestine disturbances and murders of one king after another, after Jeroboam II.