What role did Syria (with Damascus as its capital) play in Israel’s history?
Amos 1:3 (ESV)
3Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron.
During the time of the monarchy Syria was one of Israel’s main enemies (1 Kings 11:23–25; 1 Kings 15:16–20; 1 Kings 20:1 – 22:40), though they later joined forces in opposition to Assyria (2 Kings 16:5–9).
3 Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron.