Amos 6 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

At ease — That neither fear nor believe the threatened judgments of God. In Zion — That is put for the kingdom of the two tribes, and principally the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Samaria — Woe to them also who rely upon the strength, wealth, and policy of the kingdom of Samaria or Israel. Which — Which two cities, Zion and Samaria. Named chief — Accounted the chief cities of that part of the world. To whom — To which place all Israel had recourse, the two tribes to Zion, the ten tribes to Samaria.

Pass ye — Run over the history of that great and ancient city. Hemath — Head of the Syrian kingdom, lately overthrown by Tiglath — Pilneser, and a fresh instance of God's just indignation against secure sinners. Gath — The chief city of the Philistines, a few years before wasted by the arms of Hazael; by these examples learn to amend your ways, or expect to perish in them. Greater — That is, greater than these kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and their borders, or bounds, greater than these of Israel and Judah.

Ye — That flatter yourselves the day of darkness foretold, is far off. The seat — The judgment seat which should relieve the oppressed, is made a seat of violence.

That lie — That out of laziness or luxury, lay themselves to rest. And eat — The very best in all their flock.

That chant — That in a time of deep mourning entertain themselves with songs, and musical instruments.

In bowls — Not in little vessels, but probably bowls: they drank these filled as full as they could hold too, and in design to drink each other down. And anoint — In those hot countries this anointing was much used. Not grieved — Nothing affected with the calamities of their country.

The banquet — The feastings of voluptuous ones shall cease.

The excellency — All that the seed of Jacob accounts a glory and excellency to them, all their external privileges and worship.

Remain — Escaping the enemies sword. Ten men — Many men, a certain number for an uncertain. They shall die — Tho' they escape a while, they shall not finally escape.

Uncle — Or near kinsman, instead of those who were wont to do this, and were paid for it; but now none of these remaining, the next to the dead must, as well as he is able, take him up on his shoulders, and carry him. That burneth — Though the Jews mostly buried, yet in some cases they burned the dead bodies, as in this of pestilence. The bones — The flesh being consumed, the bones are reserved to be buried. Unto him — Any one he sees near the house out of which the bones are carried. Is there yet any — Is any one living in your house. Hold thy tongue — Do not complain, lest thou thyself be killed, lest all be rifled. For — It is too late to seek God, who is executing his immutable decree.

For behold — It seems to be the continued speech of him who took care of the dead, Amos 6:10, God hath sent out war, famine, and pestilence. The great house — The palaces of great men shall have great breaches made in them, and the cottages of poor men shall, by lesser strokes, be ruined.

Shall horses — If prophets exhort or advise, it does no more good than if you would run your horses upon the precipices of rocks.

Who rejoice — In your victories, alliances, and idols. Have we not — We have raised ourselves to greatness by our wisdom and courage.

Hemath — A city of Syria, bordering on Israel, north — east. The wilderness — Which is the south — west parts of Canaan. So all your country shall be destroyed.