View Amos 1 in the note window.
The general title and scope of this prophecy, ver. 1, 2.
God's controversy with Syria, ver. 3 - 5.
Palestine, ver. 6 - 8.
Tyre, ver. 9, 10.
Edom, ver. 11, 12.
And Ammon, ver. 13 - 15.
1: He saw - Received by revelation. Israel - The kingdom of
the ten tribes. Jeroboam - The great grand - son of Jehu.
The earth - quake - Of which, only this text, and (Zec 14:5), make
any particular mention.
2: Will roar - Alluding to the roaring of an hungry lion for prey.
Jerusalem - The city God had chosen where he dwelt, the seat of God's
instituted worship, and the royal seat of the kingdom as God had settled
it, from which in both respects the ten tribes had revolted.
The habitations - Where the shepherds found pasturage they pitch their
tents, and dwelt therein that they might attend their flocks. And
this was the delight and wealth of these men; alluding to which Amos
expresses the wealth and delight of the kingdom of Israel.
Shall wither - Either blasted, or dried up with drought, and turned into
barrenness. So the whole kingdom of the ten tribes, though as fruitful
as Carmel should be made horrid and desolate as a wilderness.
3: For three - This certain number is put for an uncertain: three,
that is, many. Of Damascus - Here Damascus is put for the whole
kingdom of Syria. Threshed - Treated it with the utmost cruelty.
Gilead - There was a country of this name, and a city, possessed by
the Reubenites, Gadites, and Manassites; Gilead here is put for the
inhabitants of this country and city, whom Hazael, king of Syria
most barbarously murdered.
4: Ben - hadad - Ben - hadad was to the Syrian kings a common
name, as Pharaoh to the Egyptian kings, and Caesar to the
Roman emperors.
5: The bar - Literally the bar with which the city gates were
shut, and fastened. Of Eden - Some royal seat, of the kings of
Syria. Kir - Kir of Media, (Isa 22:6), thither did
Tiglath - Pilneser carry the conquered Syrians, (2Ki 16:9),
and placed them captives in that barren mountainous country,
about fifteen years after it was foretold by Amos.
6: Carried away - All the Jews whom they had taken captive.
Edom - Their most inveterate enemies. These Edomites were ever
ready to enslave, and tyrannize over the Jews, if by any means
they could get them into their hands.
7: A fire - Desolating judgments. Gaza - All the power and
strength of Palestine is here included.
8: Ashkelon - Another city of the Philistines, and a very strong
one, which shall perish with the king and the inhabitants thereof.
9: The brotherly covenant - Which was between Hiram on the one
part, and David and Solomon on the other.
11: Pursue - Watched for, and laid hold on every occasion to oppress
Israel. Did tear - As a ravenous and fierce lion tears the prey.
12: Teman - The metropolis of Idumea, so called from Esau's
grandson of that name. Bozrah - This was a very strong city, and one of
the chief in the whole kingdom, so that in the menace against Bozrah
and Teman, the strength and glory of Edom is threatened with an utter
overthrow.
13: Enlarge their border - By destroying all that dwelt in it, and
hereafter might claim a title to it.
14: With a tempest - With irresistible force, and surprising
swiftness.
