Amos 8:14

“They that swear by the sin of Samaria, etc.] The calf at Bethel, which was near Samaria, and which the Samaritans worshipped; and was set up by their kings, and the worship of it encouraged by their example, and which is called the calf of Samaria, (<280805>Hosea 8:5,6); the making of it was the effect of sin, and the occasion of leading into it, and ought to have been had in detestation and abhorrence, as sin should; and yet by this the Israelites swore, as they had used to do by the living God; so setting up this idol on an equality with him: and say, thy God, O Dan, liveth; the other calf, which was set up in Dan; and to this they gave the epithet of the bring God, which only belonged to…”

“swear by the sin of Samaria--namely, the calves (Deu 9:21; Hos 4:15). "Swear by" means to worship (Psa 63:11). The manner--that is, as "the way" is used (Psa 139:24; Act 9:2), the mode of worship. Thy god, O Dan--the other golden calf at Dan (Kg1 22:26-30). liveth . . . liveth--rather, "May thy god . . . live . . . may the manner . . . live." Or, "As (surely as) thy god, O Dan, liveth." This is their formula when they swear; not "May Jehovah live!" or, "As Jehovah liveth!" Next: Amos Chapter 9”

“Who swear - Literally, “the swearing,” they who habitually swear. He assigns, at the end, the ground of all this misery, the forsaking of God. God had commanded that all appeals by oath should be made to Himself, who alone governs the world, to whom alone His creatures owe obedience, who alone revenges. “Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve Him and swear by His Name” Deuteronomy 6:13; Deuteronomy 10:20. On the other hand Joshua warned them, “Neither make mention of the name of their gods nor cause to swear by them nor serve them” Joshua 23:7. But these “sware by the sin of Samaria,” probably “the calf at Bethel,” which was near Samaria and the center of their idolatry, from where Hosea…”

“They - Who sacrifice to and swear by the calves at Dan and Beth - el. By the sin - Who say the idol at Dan is the true and living God. The manner - The idol which is worshipped at Beersheba. Next: Amos Chapter 9”

“8:14 The god of Dan refers to the northern shrine of the gold calf established by Jeroboam I (see 1 Kgs 12:28-29; 2 Kgs 10:29). • the god of Beersheba: Evidently Beersheba had become a center of worship in the southern kingdom. Archaeologists have found the remains of a horned altar in the ruins of Beersheba.”

“swear: Hos 4:15; Zep 1:5 sin: Deu 9:21; Kg1 12:28, Kg1 12:29, Kg1 12:32, Kg1 13:22-34, Kg1 14:16, Kg1 16:24; Kg2 10:29; Hos 8:5, Hos 8:6, Hos 10:5, Hos 13:2, Hos 13:16 manner: Heb. way, Act 9:2, Act 18:25, Act 19:9, Act 19:23, Act 24:14 Beersheba: Amo 8:5 shall fall: Deu 33:11; Ch2 36:16; Psa 36:12, Psa 140:10; Pro 29:1; Isa 43:17; Jer 25:27, Jer 51:64 Next: Amos Chapter 9”