Albert Barnes Commentary Hosea 13:10

"Where now is thy king, that he may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges, of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?" — Hosea 13:10 (ASV)

I will be your King - (literally, “I would be” your King) Where is any other that may save you, etc.? A better translation would be: Where now is your king, that he may save you in all your cities; and your judges, of whom you said, Give me a king and princes?

As Israel was under Samuel, so it remained. “Then” it mistrusted God and looked to man for help, saying, Nay, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. (1 Samuel 8:19). In choosing man they rejected God. They did the same when they chose Jeroboam. To rid themselves of the temporary pressure of Rehoboam’s taxes, they again demanded king and princes. First they rejected God as their king; then they rejected the king whom God appointed, and God in His appointment.

In all your cities. It was then one universal need for help. They had chosen a king to fight their battles, and had rejected God. Now was the test of whether their choice had been good or evil. One cry for help went up from all their cities. God would have heard it; could man?

: “This question is like that other, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drink the wine of their drink offerings? (Deuteronomy 32:37–39). As there, when no answer could be made, He adds, See now that I, I am He, and that there is no god with Me, so here He adds further.”