Andrew M. King employs a Social Identity Approach (SIA) comprised of Social Identity Theory and Self- Categorization Theory, allowing exploration of the relationship between identity formation and biblical text, and examination the identity-forming strategies embedded in the Book of Amos. Central to King's investigation is the question of what, according to Amos, it means to be the people of God.

Beginning with a survey of Amos scholarship, King contextualises the book in its field, and creates an overview of the Social Identity Approach including its use in Hebrew Bible scholarship. By analysis of group dynamics and intergroup conflicts (national and interpersonal), as well as Amos's use of Israel's history and Israel's future, King provides extensive insight into the rhetorical strategies in Amos that shape the audience's sense of self.