For the people turneth not to him that smiteth
them
Who was the Lord of hosts, as it is explained in the next clause;
it was he that had smote the people with the rod of correction
and chastisement, by various afflictions and distresses which he
had brought upon them; in order to bring them to a sense of their
sin and duty, to reclaim and recover them from their
backslidings; but they had not such an effect upon them; they
returned not to him by repentance and reformation, from whom they
had turned themselves by their evil ways; nor to his worship, as
the Targum interprets it, to his word and ordinances; for
afflictions; unless sanctified, are of no use to restore
backsliders. This is to be understood of the people of Israel,
the ten tribes, whom the prophet calls "the people", not my
people, nor the people of the Lord, because unworthy of that
character. The Septuagint render the words, "the people returned
not until they were smitten", and so the Syriac version
intimating, as if they did return when smitten; but the following
words, and the whole context, show the contrary: neither do
they seek the Lord of hosts;
by prayer and supplication, for pardoning grace and mercy through
Christ the Mediator; nor in his word and ordinances, for his
presence and communion with him, or instruction or doctrine from
him, as the Targum; to be taught true doctrine, and their duty to
God and man; this is one part of the character of an unregenerate
man, ( Romans
3:11 ) .