Amos 8:9 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

I will cause the sun to go down at noon Calamitous times are often expressed in the Scriptures by the failing of the light of the sun, and the day's being overspread with darkness. So Israel's sun did begin to go down, as at noon, under the dark cloud of conspiracies and civil wars by Shallum, Menahem, Pekah, and Hoshea, till it entirely set, and total darkness came on through the Assyrian invasions by Pul, Tiglath-pileser, and Shalmanezer, and by the entire desolation and destruction of the country produced thereby. And I will darken the earth By bringing a thick cloud of troubles and afflictions over it; in the clear day When they think all is safe, well settled, and hopeful.