Matthew Poole and continuators on Amos 4:2

2 The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness , that lo the dayes shall come upon you , that he will take you away with hooks , and your posterity with fish-hooks .

I have often told you that God had spoken, now I assure you that the Mighty and Eternal God hath sworn the thing, and you must therefore needs conclude it sure and certain. He hath sworn by his Holiness, by himself, as he is the Holy God, and cannot lye, see Psal. 89.35.

Of darkness, slaughter, famine, desolation and captivity threatned against you.

Oppressours that crush the poor.

God by the Assyrian Army under Salmaneser, nay, before that time you shall be taken, as fish are taken with the hook, during the intestine wars that are coming upon you.

Who now live, and hear the word of Amos and Hosea, but notwithstanding do continue to act the same violence still.

Or Thorns, as the Hebr. with which they did pierce the greater fish, before they had the skill of making Iron darts, as some observe.

The children of these oppressours,

Shall be taken as silly fish, and as easily carried away; The enemy shall with delight ensnare and destroy them.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter]er. 16.16. [illegible: 1 span]. 1.15.