Amos 7:10-13

10-13. The opposition.

Then When Amos had uttered the startling announcements contained in Amos 7:9.

Amaziah the priest Probably the chief priest at the sanctuary of Bethel. Nothing is known of him otherwise.

Jeroboam See Introduction, p. 195.

Conspired Not, has entered into conspiracy with others, but, his words are such as will result in conspiracy against the throne. Under normal conditions denunciation of the government and the prediction of the overthrow of the national institutions may rightly be considered treason; and to an unspiritual politician the words of Amos must have seemed treasonable, but the priest, a representative of Jehovah, should have understood the attitude of the prophet. In reality the latter was the only one who did not betray the best interests of the nation. It was only because he considered it essential to the welfare of the people that he was willing that the nation should be exiled and the dynasty overthrown, if only a pious remnant could be preserved to form a nucleus of a new kingdom of God.

In the midst At the very center of the national life; that is, at Beth-el, which was the religious center.

Not able to bear The message is so revolutionary, the priest means to say, that it will surely lead to serious disturbances. To prove his case he sends to the king a summary of Amos’s message.

Jeroboam shall die by the sword Not an exact reproduction of the words of Amos (Amos 7:9). The manipulation may have been caused by a desire to arouse more readily the king’s resentment.

Shall surely be led away captive This the prophet had asserted repeatedly (Amos 5:5; Amos 5:27; Amos 6:7).

Also Amaziah said Nothing is said of Jeroboam’s attitude. Hence Amaziah’s attempt to silence Amos has been variously interpreted. Some think that Jeroboam took no notice of the priest’s message, or that the reply was not satisfactory, and that, therefore, Amaziah, who had reason to fear for his own position (Amos 7:9), endeavored, on his own authority, to drive out Amos. Others think that it was at the king’s command that Amaziah bade Amos flee, though the authorization is not mentioned. Still others interpret the priest’s words as a friendly advice to the prophet to leave the country before the wrath of the king should be felt by him. The last interpretation is shown to be impossible by Amos’s reply in 14-17. It is, perhaps, best to suppose that Amaziah addressed Amos as soon as he had dispatched the messenger to the king. Having made an appeal to Jeroboam, he thought himself in a position to rid the country, in any manner whatever, of this “troubler of Israel.”

Seer According to 1 Samuel 9:9 (where a different word, though identical in meaning, is used), this is an older designation of the men called in later days prophets; here the word is used probably with a touch of sarcasm visionary, fanatic.

Land of Judah The home of Amos (Introduction, p. 191).

Eat bread Make a living. The early seers made their living in much the same way as modern clairvoyants (1 Samuel 9:7-8); and even among later prophets there were those who prophesied “for a reward” (Micah 3:5; Micah 3:11; 1 Kings 22:13), who followed the adage, “Whose bread I eat, his song I sing.”

Such a one Amaziah took Amos to be.

Prophesy there In his own country Amos might say anything he pleased; Beth-el needed no prophet, its spiritual interests were well cared for.

The king’s chapel R.V., “sanctuary.”

The king’s court R.V., “a royal house.” From the time of Jeroboam I the sanctuary at Beth-el enjoyed the royal patronage (1 Kings 12:29; 1 Kings 12:32), and it is quite likely that the king had a palace there.