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Atomic Bible
Hosea 8:4
They set up kings, but not by Me.
from Israel Will Reap the Whirlwind, Hosea 8:1-14
What it says

They set up kings and princes without God and made idols from silver and gold for their own destruction.

What it is doing

This verse links political and religious autonomy to inevitable ruin.

In context

1Put the ram’s horn to your lips! 2Israel cries out to Me, 3But Israel has rejected good; 4They set up kings, but not by Me. 5He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. 6For this thing is from Israel— 7For they sow the wind, 8Israel is swallowed up! 9For they have gone up to Assyria 10Though they hire allies among the nations, 11Though Ephraim multiplied the altars for sin, 12Though I wrote for them the great things of My law, 13Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to Me, 14Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces;