For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.
Ver. 11. For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, &c.] When did Amos say so? He said indeed that the house of Jeroboam should be smitten with the sword, Amos 7:9, and this Amaziah maliciously transferreth to the person of Jeroboam, the more to enrage him against the prophet; whom therefore he nameth once and again, to create him the more displeasure. That Jeroboam died by the sword we read not, but that his son Zachariah was slain, and his house destroyed in the next generation, we find 2 Kings 15:10, according to Amos's prophecy. But to colour this calumny, some truth shall be admingled.
And Israel shall surely be led away captive] This indeed the prophet had often affirmed (though not in any of those three last visions), and it proved too true: but because Amos saith so he must pass for a traitor against the majesty both of the king and of the people. What an impudent informer was this! The king and people are pretended; and what good subject can endure it? but that which irked him was, that his own authority was by this plain dealing prophet impaired, and his gain like to be lessened, if the superstition of Bethel were thus decried. It is said of Phlugius and Sidonius (authors of the Interim in Germany) that, among other points of Popery therein defended, they spake much for chrism and extreme unction, ut ipsi discederent unctores, that thereby they might hold fat bishoprics. Such arguments prevail much with all self-seekers, whose covetousness and ambition usually ride without reins, and over whose neck it mattereth not.