The minor prophets spoke concerning the evils, the rottenness, and the corruption of Israel, but Israel was stubborn and would not listen to them. Eventually, God was forced to send the Assyrians and the Babylonians as the fire to judge, to punish, and to chastise His rebellious and apostate people.

Here innocence means not making idols.

Samaria was a capital of the northern kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 16:29), and her calf was an idol (v. 6), a golden calf image (cf. 1 Kings 12:28; Exo. 32:4).

Jehovah’s covenant is His binding of Israel in His holy requirements and righteous terms, and Jehovah’s law is His regulating of Israel according to what He is: love, light, holiness, and righteousness (see note Exo. 20:1¹).