Hosea 4:11-13 Hosea gives an amusing description of Asherah and Baal worship. The LORD tells them that wine, both old and new, is robbing them of their senses! "My people ask wooden idols for advice; they ask those sticks of wood" (i.e. Asherah poles) "to advise them!"
"Like prostitutes, they have chased after other gods and have left their own God. They make sacrifices on the tops of the mountains. They burn offerings on the hills, under oaks, poplars and other trees, because their shade is nice." (Hosea 4:13)
Hosea 5:8-15 Hosea describes the war between King Amaziah of Judah and King Jehoash of Israel (c.795-783BC) (see 2 Kings 14:8-14), and the intervention of Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria against Israel in 733BC (see 2 Kings 15:19-22).
Assyrian archers (British Museum)
Hosea 8:9-10 The LORD condemns Israel for rejecting him and worshipping the gods of Assyria. “Israel is like a wild donkey all by itself. They have run to Assyria; They have hired other nations to protect them. .” (see 2 Kings 16:7-9 & 17:3-6)
Hosea 9-13 Hosea tells the people that God will punish them for their sin.
Hosea 14:1-9 Hosea pleads for Israel to return to the LORD. "Assyria cannot save us, nor will we trust in our horses." (Hosea 14:3)
"The LORD says,'I will forgive them for leaving me and will love them freely, because I am not angry with them any more. I will be like the dew to Israel, and they will blossom like a lily.'" (Hosea 14:4-5)