Amos 3:9

In the palaces] RM 'upon'; the proclamation is made from the flat roof: cp. Luke 12:3. Those who dwell in palaces are to be judged by their peers. Possibly Amos wrote, 'Asshur and Egypt,' the two great nations, Assyria and Egypt, the hammer and anvil, between which Israel lay. The mountain of Samaria (the capital of Israel) is surrounded by loftier ones, on which the spectators are supposed to stand. The oppressed] RV 'oppressions.'

10. They have lost the power to do equity. Their eyes gloat over treasures of gold and silver in their palaces: a prophet's eye sees only stores of violence and robbery (Romans 2:5; James 5:1).

12. Even the wealthiest will escape with nothing but bare life. 'They sit in Samaria in the corner of a couch, and on the silken cushions of a bed' (RV). These cushions formed the divan, which is often the sole article of furniture in an Oriental reception room: the corner seat is the place of honour. The shepherd prophet loathed these modern luxuries.