Amos 6:1  “Woe to you who are at ease in Zion…”
Those of higher social standing who built their lives on the oppression of the poor.  No justice for anyone not in their circles.  He’ll mention other aspects of that through this chapter.

1  “…To whom the house of Israel comes”
The leaders.  People expect their leaders to be servants, to have the best interest of the people they serve at heart.  True leaders understand this.  They don’t use their positions for personal gain at the expense of others.

2  “…Calneh…Hamath…Gath…Are you better than these…”
Places which were destroyed, eventually by the Assyrians.  Israel is no better than they.  God will bring His judgment to Israel just as He did these others.

3  “…who put far off the day of doom…”
Wouldn’t listen to the prophets who told them judgment was coming.

4  “…lie on beds of ivory…couches…eat lambs…calves from the…stall”
Items of luxury.  Beds made of ivory.  Couches on which to recline.  Tender lamb and beef taken from younger animals.  Nothing but the best.

6  “…drink wine from bowls…anoint yourselves with the best ointments…are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph”
More luxury.  Abundant wine and perfumes.  So much wealth, but care nothing for the suffering or well being of their fellow Israelites.

8  “The Lord GOD has sworn by Himself, The LORD God of hosts says:  ‘I abhor the pride of Jacob, And hate his palaces; Therefore I will deliver up the city And all that is in it.’”
The surety of what is going to happen.  No escaping the judgment now.

10  “…he will say to one inside the house…any more with you…none…Hold your tongue…we dare not mention the name of the LORD”
Verses nine and ten are a bit strange.  But commentaries seem to be mostly in agreement as to what Amos is saying.  He’s setting up a horrible situation as a backdrop then focusing on the response.  If relatives come to a house in which it seems all have died, then find one survivor and ask him if there are any other survivors, they stop him from saying more than just none.  They don’t want him mentioning the name of God in any sense, either to give thanks for surviving or to say anything that might continue the judgment, so great is the horror of the suffering.  Total contrast with the way the people have been so flippant regarding the things of God up to this point.

11  “…great house into bits…little house into pieces”
All will stand in judgment, small and great.

12  “Do horses run on rocks…you have turned justice into gall…”
Had to check on this.  All in the point of view.  Horses don’t run on rocks, nor do the oxen plow in it.  Useless to do so.  And what they have done with justice and righteousness is the same, useless.  They’ve made it just like rock and stone.

13-14  “…Have we not…I will raise…”
Pride in their own supposed accomplishments.  But God will soon send another nation against them to carry out His judgment, and they will be able to do nothing.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.