Matthew Poole and continuators on Amos 3:4

4 Will a lyon rore in the forrest when he hath no prey? will a young lyon cry out of his den if he have taken nothing?

In this verse by a double similitude Amos certifieth the Iews of near, and inevitable punishment; first by similitude of a Lyon roaring at sight of his prey, which seldom escapes when the Lyon roareth against it: The Lyon usually is so nigh to his prey when he roareth, that he leapeth on it presently, and teareth it. So here God would have sinning Israel know that their sins had provok't him to wrath, and that his judgments were near at hand: Nay nearer yet, like a prey drag'd by the old Lion into the Den for the young Lyons to feed on, so was their case, their Enemies, the Assyrians should as certainly devour them as the young Lyons in the Den do devour the prey which is brought to them. If the departure of God from them affect them not, perhaps the fierceness of Lyon-like Enemies may affect them.

Marginal references: Heb. give [illegible: 1 span].