Amos 4:1

Hear. See on ch. 3:1. For the keynote of this, the second message, see on ch. 4:12.

Ye kine. It is debatable whether, by “kine,” the prophet means specifically the voluptuous women of Samaria or whether he employs the term “kine” to represent the effeminate character of the men (see on Hosea 10:5). The fact, however, that both genders are found in the Hebrew verbs and pronouns in vs. 1-3 suggests that Amos is rebuking the luxury-loving lives of the leading men and women of the capital of Israel.

Bashan. Bashan is situated in the northeastern part of Palestine, east of the Jordan River (see The Ministry of Amos in the Days of Jeroboam II). The land was famous for its rich pastures and large herds of cattle (see Deut. 32:14; Ps. 22:12; Eze. 39:18). The striking figure of comparison here employed is what one might expect Amos the herdsman to use (see on Amos 1:1).

Mountain of Samaria. The hill of Shemer, upon which Samaria was built (see on 1 Kings 16:24).

Oppress the poor. This may allude to the violence and fraud these extravagant women forced, so to speak, upon their husbands in order to secure means for luxury and debauchery. An example of this is Ahab and his wife Jezebel (see 1 Kings 21:1-16).

Their masters. That is, their husbands (see Gen. 18:12; 1 Peter 3:5, 6). Or, if “kine” refers to the effeminate character of the men, “masters” would refer to the leaders. With the words, “Bring, and let us drink,” these wicked women invited their husbands to secure for them the means of debauchery, and to join them in their revels.