Though the women could have been actively mistreating and abusing people, their lifestyle and prosperity were certainly based on cruel oppression (Amos 3:9) and the exploitation of the poor (Amos 2:6–7).1 It seems as if they put pressure on their husbands to support their luxury. These husbands would have then acted as judges and employers in the wider Israelite society, exploiting the poor in order to enrich themselves. Even with this being said, we should affirm that the women are personally held accountable. Whatever complicity their husbands may have had, they alone are indicted and their punishment is depicted.2
1 “Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’