O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.
Benjamin. Jerusalem was situated in the tribe of Benjamin, which was here separated from that of Judah by the valley of Hinnom. Though it was inhabited partly by Benjamites, partly by men of Judah, he addresses the former as being his own countrymen.
Blow the trumpet in Tekoa - Tikehu Tekoa form a play on sounds. The birthplace of Amos.
Beth-haccerem - meaning in Hebrew, vineyard-house. It and Tekoa were a few miles south of Jerusalem. Since the enemy came from the north, the inhabitants of the surrounding country would naturally flee southwards. The fire-signal on the hills gave warning of danger approaching.