Amos 6:1-7

Warnings to the self-satisfied

1 Doom to those resting comfortably in Zion and those trusting in Mount Samaria, the chiefs of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes!

2 Cross over to Calneh and see; from there go to Hamath the great; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Or is your territory greater than their territory?

3 Doom to those who ignore the evil day and make violent rule draw near:

4 who lie on beds of ivory, stretch out on their couches, eat lambs from the flock, and bull calves from the stall;

5 who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and, like David, compose tunes on musical instruments;

6 who drink bowls of wine, put the best of oils on themselves, but who aren't grieved over the ruin of Joseph!

7 Therefore, they will now be the first to be taken away, and the feast of those who lounged at the table will pass away.

Amos 6:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO AMOS 6

This chapter seems to be directed both to the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and the ten tribes of Israel, under the names of Zion and Samaria, and to the principal men in both; who are reproved and threatened for their carnal security and self-confidence, being in no fear of the evil day, though they had no reason for it no more than other people, Am 6:1-3; are charged with wantonness, luxury, intemperance, and want of sympathy with those in distress, Am 6:4-6; therefore are threatened to be carried captive first, and their city to be delivered up; which, for the certainty of it, is not only said, but swore to, Am 6:7,8; and a great mortality in every house, and the destruction of all houses, both great and small, Am 6:9-11; and since a reformation of them seemed impracticable, and not to be expected, but they gloried in their wealth, and boasted of their strength, therefore they should be afflicted by a foreign nation raised against them, which affliction should be general, from one end of the country to the other, Am 6:12-14.