Amos 7:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Amos 7:10-17

One would have expected, 1. That what we met with in the former part of the chapter would awaken the people to repentance, when they saw that they were reprieved in order that they might have space to repent and that they could not obtain a pardon unless the did repent. 2. That it would endear the prophet Amos to them, who had not only shown his good-will to them in praying against the judgments that invaded them, but had prevailed to turn away those judgments, which, if they had had any sense... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 7:12

Also Amaziah said unto Amos ,.... Either at the same time; or, it may be, after he had waited for the king's answer, and received none; or what did not come up to his expectations and wishes. We have no account of any answer the king returned; who either gave no heed to the representations of the priest, or had a better opinion of, he prophet, and did not credit the things imputed to him; which the priest observing, took another way to get rid of the prophet, and that by flattery: O thou... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 7:12

O thou seer - He pretends kindness to the prophet, and counsels him to go into Judea, and prophesy there and be safe, even in the time that he had accused him of high treason against Jeroboam. Hireling priests of this kind have ever been the great enemies of the true prophets of God; and when they could bring no charge of false doctrine or immorality against them, have accused them of conspiring against the government; and because they have preached against sin, have held them up as exciting... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 7:12

Verse 12 Amaziah then said to Amos, — that is, after his first proceeding disappointed him; for he did not obtain from king Jeroboam what he expected, — then Amaziah said to Amos, Seer, go, flee to the land of Judah! By saying Go, he intimates that he was at liberty to depart, as though he said, “Why wouldest thou willfully perish among us?” At the same time, the two clauses ought to be joined together. He says first, Go, and then, flee When he says Go, he reminds him, as I have already said,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 7:10-17

§ 4. This bold prophecy, no longer conceived in general terms or referring to distant times, but distinct and personal, arouses the animosity of the priestly authorities at Bethel, who accuse Amos before the king, and warn him to leave the country without more words, or to fear the worst. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 7:10-17

Machination foiled by fearless candour. Amos had deserved well of Israel. He took a more practical interest in their welfare than any other man from the king down. He saw their sin, and lamented it; their impending ruin. and would have averted it; their one way of escape, and pressed its adoption strenuously. Had they not been as blind as besotted, they would have revered him as a national benefactor. But the reformation he preached meant the abandonment of rooted habits and the harassing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 7:10-17

The conventional and the genuine priests of a people. "Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam King of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words," etc. In these words we have types of two classes of priests who are ever found amongst the people. I. THE CONVENTIONAL PRIEST OF A PEOPLE . Amaziah was the recognized, authorized, conventional priest of Bethel—the chief priest of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 7:12

Also Amaziah said . Jeroboam appears to have taken no steps in consequence of this accusation, either deeming that the words of a visionary were unworthy of serious consideration, or, like Herod ( Matthew 14:5 ), fearing the people, who had been impressed by the prophet's words and bold bearing. Therefore Amaziah endeavours by his own authority to make Amos leave the country, or else does not wait for the command of the king, who was probably at Samaria. O thou seer! Amaaiah calls Amos ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Amos 7:12

Jeroboam apparently took no account of the false priest’s message. Perhaps the memory of the true prophecies of Elisha as to the successes of his father, and of Jonah as to his own, fulfilled in his own person and still recent, inspired him with a reverence for God’s prophets. To know his motive or motives, we must know his whole character, which we do not. Amaziah, failing of his purpose, uses his name as far as he dares. “Seer, go flee thee.” He probably uses the old title for a prophet, in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Amos 7:12-13

Amos 7:12-13. Amaziah said, O thou seer, go flee, &c. Thou that sayest thou art a prophet, get thee hence, where thou signifiest that thou art so much displeased with the actions of the people, and go into the land of Judah Where it is likely thou wilt be better entertained than thou art here. And there eat bread, &c. There they will feed thee well, because thou pretendest to be a prophet. Prophesy not at Beth-el, for it is the king’s chapel, &c. This is the place where... read more

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