John Gill Commentary Amos 4:7

"And I also have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest; and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered." — Amos 4:7 (ASV)

And also I have withheld the rain from you

As he did for the space of three years successively in the days of Ahab, as predicted by Elijah, (1 Kings 17:1) (18:1); the consequences of which are very bad to men and beast, and bring on a scarcity of food for both, and a famine if long withheld.

when there were yet three months before the harvest

That is, three months before the harvest, as Jarchi; when, as Kimchi observes, there was need of rain: this was the latter rain which was usually given and expected about this time, and on which the goodness of the crop, and so of the harvest, greatly depended; these three months before barley harvest were December, January, and February, that being in March; and before the wheat harvest, February, March, and April, that being in May usually.

and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city

So that it might appear to be not by the course of nature, or through the influence of the planets, or by chance; but was according to the direction of divine Providence, the hand of God was manifestly in it.

Yea, one piece was rained upon, and the piece where it did not rain withered

One piece of ground or field had a plentiful shower on it, whereby it became fruitful; and another field or close on the other side of the hedge or partition had none, whereby what did spring up withered away and came to nothing: or "one inheritance" ^F21, or farm, as some render it; one man's estate was well watered with rain from heaven, and brought forth much fruit; and another man's estate, for want of it, was barren, and brought forth nothing: thus God was pleased to do in his providence, to show his sovereignty, and to chastise men for their sins; and in such a manner as that they might, if not blind, could easily perceive his hand in it.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F21: (hqlx) "fundus", Mercerus, Vatablus; "hereditas", Targum.