Amos 6:2

Calneh. Probably to be identified with Kullani, modern Kullankoy, near Arpad (see on Isa. 10:9; see The Assyrian Empire in Isaiah’s Time). As king of Assyria, Tiglath-pileser III claimed to have taken the city.

Hamath. An important city of ancient times situated on the Orontes River (see on Gen. 10:18; see The Assyrian Empire in Isaiah’s Time). Tiglath-pileser III received the tribute from the city and gave them to his generals. Sargon II boasts of having torn up the root of the city.

Gath. One of the five chief cities of the Philistines (see 1 Sam. 6:17) near the Valley of Elah (see on 2 Kings 12:17). Evidently the three cities mentioned in this verse are cited to Israel as examples of prosperous places that later were destroyed or subjugated, and thus were fitting examples of what would happen to unrepentant Samaria. Gath and Ashdod were both destroyed by Uzziah, who broke down their walls (see 2 Chron. 26:6). However, Ashdod (Azotus) was rebuilt, and is mentioned later, even in intertestament times (1 Mace. 5:68; 10:84). Gath drops out of history after its destruction by Uzziah. Amos, a contemporary of Uzziah, uses it as a striking illustration of the fate that impended for Samaria.

Better than. The prophet asks Israel if they have any right to expect a better fate than that which befell Gath and Calneh and Hamath.