Amos
The Bible mentions “the ivory house” built by Ahab (1 Kgs. 22:39); Amos condemned the ivory beds of luxury-loving Israelite kings (Amos 6:4).
Samaria’s most prosperous era came during the long rule of Jeroboam II when Israel reconquered Aramean territories to the north in the absence of any Assyrian threat (2 Kgs. 14:25–27). During these years Amos condemned the rich aristocratic bureaucrats and royal family members for their opulent lifestyle supported by oppressing the poor (Amos 4:1–3; 5:10–13). However, Samaria’s glory faded quickly when Assyria conquered the city in 722 B.C. and made it the district capital in a new Assyrian province.
AMOS
Amos preached his fiery messages in the 760s B.C., shortly before the approaching storm broke fully. The days of peace and prosperity during the reign of Jeroboam II still held sway. Amos came from Tekoa in the Judean wilderness, yet he preached in Israel. He was no simple herdsman, but an astute interpreter of international events and an assayer of Israel’s sins. His oracles against the nations in chapters 1 and 2 reveal his knowledge of historical as well as contemporary events along with his incisive analysis of the incurable sickness befalling Israel.
Amos attacked the social sins of a people who derived their wealth from the oppression of their countrymen (Amos 4:1; 5:10–13; 6:4–7). He contrasted the luxury of the royal court at Samaria and the homes of the aristocracy with the plight of the poor who had been robbed of their land and livelihood by unscrupulous tactics sanctioned at the highest levels. Some of Amos’ most thunderous denunciations were delivered at the royal sanctuary at Bethel and in Samaria. Although his ministry did not last long, his dire predictions of impending judgment must have been unsettling to many Israelites (Amos 3:11–15; 6:8–11; 8:7–14; 9:1–4).