Verse 10
10. priest of Beth-el—chief priest of the royal sanctuary to the calves at Beth-el. These being a device of state policy to keep Israel separate from Judah. Amaziah construes Amos words against them as treason. So in the case of Elijah and Jeremiah (1 Kings 18:17; Jeremiah 37:13; Jeremiah 37:14). So the antitype Jesus was charged (Jeremiah 37:14- :); political expediency being made in all ages the pretext for dishonoring God and persecuting His servants (Jeremiah 37:14- :). So in the case of Paul (Acts 17:6; Acts 17:7; Acts 24:5).
in the midst of . . . Israel—probably alluding to Amos' own words, "in the midst of . . . Israel" (Amos 7:8), foretelling the state's overthrow to the very center. Not secretly, or in a corner, but openly, in the very center of the state, so as to upset the whole utterly.
land is not able to bear all his words—They are so many and so intolerable. A sedition will be the result. The mention of his being "priest of Beth-el" implies that it was for his own priestly gain, not for the king or state, he was so keen.
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