Jonah 4:1-5

Jonah's Anger

1 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious.

2 He prayed to the Lord: "Please, Lord, isn't this what I said while I was still in my own country? That's why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place.^[a] I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to become angry, rich in faithful love, and One who relents from [sending] disaster.^[b]

3 And now, Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live."

4 The Lord asked, "Is it right for you to be angry?"

5 Jonah left the city and sat down east of it. He made himself a shelter there and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city.

Jonah 4:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JONAH 4

This chapter gives us an account of Jonah's displeasure at the repentance of the Ninevites, and at the Lord's showing mercy unto them, Jon 4:1; the angry prayer of Jonah upon it, Jon 4:2,3; the Lord's gentle reproof of him for it, Jon 4:4; his conduct upon that, Jon 4:5; the gourd prepared for him; its rise, usefulness, and destruction, which raised different passions in Jonah, Jon 4:6-8; the improvement the Lord made of this to rebuke Jonah, for his displicency at the mercy he showed to the Ninevites, and to convict him of his folly, Jon 4:9-11.

Footnotes

• [a] Jnh 1:3
• [b] Ex 34:6; Nm 14:18; Neh 9:17