Hosea accused Israel of harlotry because the people had turned away from God and were worshipping other gods. Hosea was a prophet who spoke to the people of Israel during a time of spiritual decline and moral decay. He used the metaphor of harlotry to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Just as a wife who commits adultery betrays her husband's trust and love, Israel had betrayed God's trust and love by turning to false gods and engaging in idolatry. The people had abandoned their covenant relationship with God and had chosen to worship other gods, which was seen as spiritual adultery. Therefore, Hosea's accusation of harlotry was a powerful image that conveyed the severity of Israel's sin and the urgency of their need to repent and turn back to God.