Jonah 4:2,Jonah 4:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:2

The long suffering of God. The magnificent description of the Divine character is given in language familiar to the pious Hebrews, as is apparent from its almost exact coincidence with other passages of Old Testament Scripture. Nothing could more conclusively contradict the common impression that the old covenant was one of justice only and not of mercy. The language, occurring as it does in close connection with the repining of the prophet, appears strangely out of place. It is surprising... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jonah 4:2

And he prayed unto the Lord - Jonah, at least, did not murmur or complain of God. He complained to God of Himself. He expostulates with Him. Shortsighted indeed and too wedded to his own will! Yet his will was the well-being of the people whose prophet God had made him. He tells God, that this it was, which he had all along dreaded. He softens it, as well as he can, by his word, “I pray Thee,” which expresses deprecation anti-submissiveness. Still he does not hesitate to tell God that this was... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jonah 4:1-3

Jonah 4:1-3. But it The divine forbearance in sparing Nineveh; displeased Jonah exceedingly “Seeing that what he had foretold against the Ninevites did not happen, he was afraid lest he should pass for a false prophet and a deceiver, his ministry be despised, and his person exposed to the violence of the Ninevites. He was therefore very peevish and impatient, and he vents his complaints in the following verse.” And he prayed unto the Lord He uttered expostulations and complaints in his... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jonah 4:1-11

A lesson about mercy (4:1-11)It now became clear why Jonah did not want to preach in Nineveh. He wanted the Ninevites to be destroyed, not spared; he wanted them to be punished, not forgiven. He knew that God was merciful to sinners, but he wanted this divine blessing reserved solely for the people of Israel. He would rather die than see Gentiles forgiven the same as Israelites (4:1-3).God wanted to make Jonah see that he had no right to be angry, but Jonah refused to listen. Apparently still... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jonah 4:2

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 . Therefore I fled = hasted to flee. The reason follows, as explained in note on Jonah 4:1 . I knew. This was well known, from Jehovah's revelation of Himself. Jonah knew, and referred to the Pentateuch (Exodus 34:6 . Numbers 14:18 , Numbers 14:19 ). David knew (Psalms 86:5 ). Hosea knew (Hosea 11:8 , Hosea 11:9 ). Joel knew (Joel 2:13 ). Micah knew (Micah 7:18 ). Jonah's knowledge explains his flight (Jonah 1:3 ). No one could tall us this but himself.... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Jonah 4:2

"And he prayed unto Jehovah, and said, I pray thee, O Jehovah, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hasted to flee unto Tarshish; for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repentest thee of the evil."He prayed ..." Even when men are not in harmony with God's will they often continue to use the old forms of worship and prayer to God."This is true to life in every age, for the most thorough-going... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Jonah 4:2

2. my saying—my thought, or feeling. fled before—I anticipated by fleeing, the disappointment of my design through Thy long-suffering mercy. gracious . . . and merciful, c.—Jonah here has before his mind :- as Joel (Joel 2:13) in his turn quotes from Jonah. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Jonah 4:1-4

C. Jonah’s displeasure at God’s mercy 4:1-4The reader might assume that the Lord’s deliverance of the Ninevites from imminent doom is the climax of the story. This is not the case. The most important lesson of the book deals with God’s people and specifically God’s instruments, not humanity in general."Though Jonah hardly comes across as a hero anywhere in the book, he appears especially selfish, petty, temperamental, and even downright foolish in chap. 4." [Note: Stuart, p. 502.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Jonah 4:2

To his credit Jonah told God why he was angry (cf. Jonah 2:1; Job). Many believers try to hide their true feelings from God when they think God will not approve of those feelings. Even though the prophet had been rebellious he had a deep and intimate relationship with God.Contrast this prayer with the one in chapter 2. This one is negative and defensive; the former one is positive and praiseful. This one focuses on Jonah, but the former one on God. This one contains no fewer than nine... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:1-11

Jonah’s Jealousy contrasted with Jehovah’s Compassion1. Jonah’s anger has a double cause, wounded pride that his words are proved false, and indignation that the God of Israel should pity heathen, only fit to be fuel for fire. 3. A striking parallel to the dejection and disappointment of Elijah (1 Kings 19).4. Doest thou well to be angry?] RM ’Art thou greatly angry?’ A kindly remonstrance to awake better feelings. Jonah makes no reply yet, but goes and sits in his booth to watch whether, after... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jonah 4:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jonah 4:1-3

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jonah 4:1-11

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jonah 4:2

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Jonah 4:2

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Jonah 4:2

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Jonah 4:1-4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Jonah 4:2

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:1-11

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