Amos 2:14

“Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, etc.] They should be so straitened and cooped up, and be so loaded with pressures, that those, as swift of foot as Asahel, should not be able to make their escape by fleeing: and the strong shall not strengthen his force; should not increase it, or muster it up, and exert it to such a degree, as to be able to defend and secure himself from the enemy: neither shall the mighty deliver himself; “his soul” or “life”; a soldier, a man of war, an expert and courageous officer at the head of his troop, or even the general of the army; (see <193316>Psalm 33:16).”

“flight shall perish from . . . swift--Even the swift shall not be able to escape. strong shall not strengthen his force--that is, shall not be able to use his strength. himself--literally, "his life."”

“Israel relied, against God, on his own strength. “Have we not,” they said, “taken to us horns by our own strength?” Amos 6:13. Amos tells them then, that every means of strength, resistance, flight, swiftness of foot, of horse, place of refuge, should fail them. Three times he repeats, as a sort of dirge, “he shall not deliver himself.” Therefore the flight shall perish - (Probably place of flight Job 11:20; Psalms 142:5; Jeremiah 25:35). They had despised God, as their “place of refuge” , so “the place of refuge, should perish from the swift,” as though it were not. He should flee amain, but there would be no “place to flee unto.” God alone “renews strength;” therefore “the strong” man…”

“The swift - For their enemies shall be swifter than they. The strong - Natural strength of body shall not deliver. The mighty - The valiant man, the man of the greatest courage. Next: Amos Chapter 3”

“2:14-16 The chapter concludes with a description of the battle in which Israel would be defeated and would flee (see Ps 33:16-17).”

“the flight: Amo 9:1-3; Job 11:20 \*marg. Ecc 9:11; Isa 30:16; Jer 9:23 himself: Heb. his soul, or life Amos 2:15”