Guilt and Doom of Samaria. The prophet proceeds to apply the lesson. The peoples are summoned to proclaim the fate that has befallen (Amos 3:9 *) the castles of Ashdod and those in the land of Egypt, and then to assemble and witness the sins of Samaria. From the mountains of Samaria, the city presents a spectacle of great turmoil and deep-rooted oppression. And the reason is (Amos 3:10) that the ruling classes have no proper sense of what is right or straightforward. Wrong thought brings wrong doing, and wrong doing inevitably brings punishment. Therefore an adversary will succeed in encompassing the land and will be the means of bringing low the proud and rich potentates. Amos knew by experience that when the lion attacks the sheep, often all that can be saved is two legs or the piece of an ear (Genesis 31:39 *, Exodus 22:13). In like manner the Israelites who dwell in Samaria and pride themselves on their possessions will escape with nothing more than the corner of a couch or the Damascus-cloth of a divan (see below). If Amos 3:13 is genuine the prophet introduces a reference to Judah; but the verse is perhaps secondary. When the day of reckoning comes (Amos 3:14) the punishment will extend to the altars or altar (so Guthe) of Bethel, because Bethel was the centre of Israel's false worship. False worship and selfish luxury are bosom friends. They must die together. An end will be put to the superfluous houses of the rich.
Amos 3:9. Translate with Ehrlich, Proclaim concerning (the fate of) the castles in Ashdod and concerning (the fate of) the castles in the land of Egypt. If the usual interpretation (RV) is adopted, Assyria (so LXX) should probably be read for Ashdod; this gives a better parallel.
Amos 3:11. Translate, an enemy shall come round about the land, reading sar yesô bhç bh or s. sô bhç bh).
Amos 3:12 b. The word translated sit may equally well mean dwell. The word translated silken cushions is demeshek. This is probably a mistake for dל mesek. The Arabic dimaks probably has nothing to do with Damascus, but that is no reason why the word here should not denote some kind of covering material manufactured in Damascus. Translate with Ehrlich, So shall the children of Israel who dwell in Samaria escape with the corner of a couch or with the Damascus-cloth of a divan.
Amos 3:13. The people addressed are apparently the same as in Amos 3:9.
Amos 3:15 b. 1 Kings 22:39 implies that a house of ivory was something very exceptional. Ehrlich is perhaps right, therefore, in reading houses of (in) Bashan (hab-bâ shâ n for hash-shç n). great: rather many (mg.).