Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, accused Amos of conspiring against King Jeroboam and told him to stop prophesying in Israel. Amos responded that he was not a professional prophet but had been called by God from his work as a shepherd. He refused to stop speaking God's message and proclaimed judgment against Amaziah and Israel because they rejected God's word. The passage highlights God's authority, the faithfulness of His messenger, and the consequences of resisting divine truth.