Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Amos 3:1-8

The scope of these verses is to convince the people of Israel that God had a controversy with them. That which the prophet has to say to them is to let them know that the Lord has something to say against them, Amos 3:1. They were his peculiar people above others, knew his name, and were called by it; nevertheless he had something against them, and they were called to hear what it was, that they might consider what answer they should make, as the prisoner at the bar is told to hearken to his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 3:3

Can two walk together except they be agreed? Unless they meet together, and appoint time and place, when and where they shall set out, what road they will take, and whither they will go; without such consultation and agreement, it cannot be thought they should walk together; and not amicably, unless united in friendship, and are of the same affection to each other, and of the same sentiments one with another; or it is much if they do not fall out by the way. The design of these words is to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Amos 3:4

Will a lion roar in the forest when he hath no prey ?.... He will not, unless he has it in his sight, or in his paws; he roars when he first sees it, whereby he terrifies the creature, that it cannot move till he comes up to it; and when he has got it in his paws, he roars over it, to invite others to partake with him. Now prophecy from the Lord is compared to the roaring of a lion, Amos 1:2 ; and this is never in a way of judgment without a cause; the sin of men, or of a nation, which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 3:3

Can two walk together - While ye loved and served me, I dwelt in you and walked among you. Now ye are become alienated from me, your nature and mine are totally opposite. I am holy, ye are unholy. We are no longer agreed, and can no longer walk together. I can no longer hold communion with you. I must cast you out. The similes in this and the three following verses are all chosen to express the same thing, viz., that no calamities or judgments can fall upon any people but by the express will... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 3:4

Will a lion roar - Should I threaten such a judgment without cause? read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 3:3

Verse 3 The Prophet here accumulates similitudes which may, however, be reduced to five particulars. He first shows that he uttered no empty words, but had God’s authority for what he said; and he appeals to him as his witness and approver: this is one thing. Then he shows that God designedly announces the punishment he would inflict on transgressors, that they might in time repent, and that he does not cry out for no reason, as unreflecting men grow angry for nothing, but that he is driven to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Amos 3:4

Verse 4 The second similitude follows, Will a lion roar in the forest without a prey? Will a lion send forth his voice from his den when he has caught nothing? By this verse he intimates that God does not cry out for nothing by his Prophets; for ungodly men supposed that the air was only made to reverberate by an empty sound, when the Prophets threatened, “These,” they said, “are mere words;” as though indeed they could not find that the necessity of crying arose from themselves, because they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 3:1-15

§ 1. First address: the prophet begins by showing Israel's ingratitude for past mercies ( Amos 3:1 , Amos 3:2 ) , and his own commission to announce the coming judgment ( Amos 3:3-8 ) . They have drawn this upon themselves by iniquities which astonish even heathen nations; and they shall be punished by the overthrow of the kingdom and the destruction of their city ( Amos 3:9-15 ) . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 3:3

Can two walk together except they be agreed? or, except they have agreed? The "two" are God's judgment and the prophet's word. These do, not coincide by mere chance, no more than two persons pursue in company the same end without previous agreement. The prophet announces God's judgment because God has commissioned him; the prophet is of one mind with God, therefore the Lord is with him, and confirms his words. The application of the parables is seen in Amos 3:7 , Amos 3:8 . The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Amos 3:3

Communion and concord inseparable. "Do two walk together unless they have agreed?" The special reference of this general question is not apparent. But the scope of the context suggests two points on either or both of which it would throw light. The one is the prophet's claim to be speaking the truth, the other is the people's claim to be doing the right. Between his words and their works there was utter incompatibility. Those must he wrong if these were right, and vice versa. And the... read more

Group of Brands