Matthew Poole and continuators on Amos 3:12

12 Thus saith the LORD, As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs , or a piece of an ear : so shall the children of Israel be taken out that dwell in Samaria , in the corner of a bed , and in Damascus in a couch .

As the Shepherd doth hardly res[illegible: 1 letter]ue a small part of a sheep or Lamb, when the Lion hath seised and torn it.

The fiercest, strongest, and boldest Creature, not a Bear or Wolf,

which are parts the ravening Lyon less regardeth, and last eateth.

Less considerable than the Legs,

Some of the Children of Israel, or some of the Ten Tribes, but the poorer, meaner, and more worthless of them

shall escape when Samaria is taken.

Lying in some dark corner, and on a piece of a bed as the poor do in most places.

The chiefest City of Syria taken by Tiglath-Pilneser much about the time when he wasted Israel in aid of Abaz against Resin and Pekah.

Some few of the poorer among them also shall escape, pitied by the Enemy when he findeth them weakly and sick upon their Couch.

In brief, this verse foretels how few, and with what difficulty they shall escape, who are not swallowed up of the approaching Judgments, and it is elegantly expressed in the following similitude.

Marginal references: Heb. delivereth.; Or, on the beds feet.