David in the Prophecy of Amos

This article challenges the common view that the prophecy of Amos contains the hope of a revival of the Davidic empire. In Amos, Zion/Jerusalem is not David's capital, but YHWH's, and from it he rules the whole world. The criterion of selection of the condemned nations in Amos 1-2 is not their membership of the former Davidic empire. They instead represent God's rulership over all nations. The allusion to David in Amos 6:5 is as a liturgical figure and has no messianic colouring. The rebuilt "booth of David" (9:11) refers to Jerusalem as the site of the temple, and the final prophecy of hope democratizes Davidic promises.