Amos 4:2

Jehovah's indignation is aroused; and He swears(cf. Amos 6:8; Amos 8:7), that retribution will overtake them for such selfishness and cruelty.

hath sworn by his holiness God's holiness is made the pledge of the validity of the oath: so Psalms 89:35; cf. Jeremiah 44:26.

behold, days are coming &c. The expression implies a sudden and unexpected reversal of what at present prevails: it occurs besides, Amos 8:11, Amo 9:13; 1 Samuel 2:31; 2 Kings 20:17 (Isaiah 39:6), and fifteen times in Jeremiah (Jeremiah 7:32; Jeremiah 9:24; Jeremiah 16:14; Jeremiah 19:6; Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 23:7; Jeremiah 30:3, &c.).

he will take you away with hooks&c. rather, ye shall be taken&c. The image is one partly of ignominy, partly of helplessness. The women of Samaria are no longer like fat cattle, proudly disdainful of all who may approach them: they are dragged violently by the foe out of the ease and luxury of their palaces, like fishes out of their native element, the water.

your posterity your residue (R.V.), any of you who happen to escape the -hooks" of the preceding clause. It is a totaldestruction which the prophet contemplates.