Amos 6, 1-3

1. Amos prophecies the doom of the "distinguished men" of Israel and Judah, which he describes as "the foremost of nations."

He describes these men as being at ease and feeling secure. They are the men "to whom the house of Israel comes." But in spite of their comfort and their riches and their positions of authority, they are not pleasing to God and God will judge them.

2. Amos tells the distinguished men (or Israel and Judah as a whole) to consider the cities of Calneh, Hamath, and Gath.

It sounds as if he wants to get them to see that those cities are no better than Jerusalem and Samaria and their territory is no greater than theirs. I'm not sure why.

3. It sounds like Amos is saying that the people of Israel (and Judah?) are bringing the "day of calamity" and the "seat of violence" upon themselves by their bad behavior.

But it's hard to understand, because he says: "Do you put off the day of calamity?" and "Would you bring near the seat of violence?"