Amos 7:13

But prophesy not again any more at Bethel,.... He might prophesy any where, if he did not there, for what the priest cared, that so his honour and interest were not hurt.

But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court. But prophesy not again anymore - (Amos 2:12, "But ye ... commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not"). At Beth-el.

Prophesy not again any more at Beth-el; as a friend I advise thou do not, and as having authority from the king, I do declare thou shalt not, prophesy in Beth-el. For it is the king’ s chapel, where I am by the king’ s authority empowered to give license, or impose silence, and to see that none but fit persons preach before the king, who doth there pay his devotions. And it is the king’ s court, where all his nobles attend him, and where no ordinary, obscure, and uncourtly doctor may appear: besides, such preaching so near to the king’ s court will be speedily punished; therefore, as thou lovest thyself, Amos, follow my advice, and let the king’ s court and this country hear no more of thee.

Amos 7:13 But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it [is] the king’ s chapel, and it [is] the king’ s court.Ver. 13. But prophesy not any more at Bethel] Take heed of that; lest, by diffusing too much light among us, thou mar our markets, and hinder the sale of our false wares. This was the naked truth of the business; though something else was pretended, and the king’ s interest pleaded. For it is the king’ s chapel, and the king’ s court] Touch these mountains and they wiil smoke. Truth is a good mistress, but such of her servants as follow her too close at heels may hap to have their teeth struck out. Ahab hateth Micaiah, and Herod John Baptist, and the Pope Savonarola, for their plain dealing, laying them fast enough for it. Great ones love it, ηδισταηηκιστα, they must hear pleasing things; or if told of their faults, it must be done with silken words, as she said, λογοιςβυδινοις. They are usually beset with their Aiones and Negones, as one hath it, that will say as they say: et mirifica est sympathia inter magnates et parasites, and there is a wonderful sympathy between kings and court parasites, as was between Ahab and the false prophets. Few Vespasians are to be found, of whom as it was said, that he was the only one who was made the better man by being made emperor, so Quintilian commendeth him for this, that he was patientissimus veri, most patient of truth, though never so sharp. Jeroboam was none such; or at least Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, would make the prophet so believe, when he tells him it is the king’ s court, an ill air for truth to breathe in. Nihil veritate gravius, nihil assentatione suavius.

(12, 13) Jeroboam treated the charge made by Amaziah with indifference, or perhaps with awe: at least, with silence. And so the priest of Bethel takes upon himself to dismiss the prophet from the kingdom. The word for “seer” is here chozeh, one who has visions, a word not used in a contemptuous sense here or in the Old Testament generally. The expression “there eat bread and prophecy” is a hendiadys for “there live on your profession as a prophet,” not here. To this Amos replies that that was not his profession (Amos 7:14). Bethel is spoken of as the “holy place,” or sanctuary, and also as the “royal residence” (E.V., “king’s court”). Men blinded by prejudice, and bewildered by the light of our Lord’s holy presence, besought him to depart from them. The awful peril of imploring God’s messenger to withdraw is frequently referred to in Scripture. (Comp. Luke 10:10-12.)

Verse 13. But prophesy not - at Beth-el] He must not speak against idolatry, because that was the king's religion; and he who speaks against the king's religion must be an enemy to the state. This was the doctrine held in England by popish James II. and his insidious Jesuit hireling priests, till God in his mercy put this pitiful tyrant down, and with him his false prophets, and the degrading superstition which they endeavoured to establish in these lands.

13. for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a national temple] Lit. the temple of the kingdom. Beth-el was the principal sanctuary of the northern kingdom, under the special patronage and support of the king.

It is the king’s chapel - Better, as in the English margin, “sanctuary.” It is the name for “the sanctuary” of God. “Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them” Exodus 25:8.

10-13. The opposition. Then — When Amos had uttered the startling announcements contained in Amos 7:9. Amaziah the priest — Probably the chief priest at the sanctuary of Bethel. Nothing is known of him otherwise.