Challenging the traditional interpretation of the Hebrew prophet Amos as one of the earliest voices of universalist "ethical monotheism," Polley here demonstrates that Amos' message was in fact deeply nationalistic. Using both literary and historical evidence, Polley posits that Amos
condemned the establishment of northern cult sanctuaries rivaling the Jerusalem temple and a northern monarchy opposing the Davidic dynasty. Amos sought to persuade the north to rejoin the south as one nation under the rule of the Davidic King. When this failed he prophesied the destruction of the rebellious Northern Kingdom.