John Calvin Commentary Amos 5:3

"For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: The city that went forth a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went forth a hundred shall have ten left, to the house of Israel." — Amos 5:3 (ASV)

The Prophet now expresses more clearly what he had previously said: that the kingdom would perish, yet in such a way that the Lord would preserve some remnants. So, regarding the main body of the people, Israel had fallen; but concerning a few remnants, they were saved. However, they were a small number, as the Prophet mentions. Therefore, we see that some hope of mercy was given to God’s chosen people, while at the same time destruction was proclaimed against the whole nation. We have already seen that their wickedness was beyond hope; it was therefore necessary to announce to them the sentence of final destruction. But this was done in such a way as not to drive to despair the faithful few who remained hidden among the multitude.

The city, then, from which a thousand went forth, will have a hundred remaining; and the city from which a hundred went forth, will have ten. Armies were formerly accustomed to be decimated when any rebellion occurred, but God here threatens the Israelites with a much heavier judgment: that only a tenth part would be saved from ruin. We now perceive the Prophet's design.

Now, this could not alleviate the grief of the people; instead, the hypocrites were more exasperated upon hearing that few would be saved and that all hope of deliverance was cut off from them. Therefore, when they saw that God dealt with them with such severity, envy increased their grief and further embittered their minds; and this was what the Prophet intended.

For it was useless to offer any comfort to those who despised God. But since God knew that some seed remained among the people, He intended to provide for the afflicted, who would have been overwhelmed by grief many times over if no relief had been offered them. The Prophet then directs his message to the few, when he says, “In the city from which a thousand had gone forth there will be a hundred; and in that from which a hundred went forth, ten will remain alive.”