Jonah 4:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jonah 4:1-4

See here, I. How unjustly Jonah quarrelled with God for his mercy to Nineveh, upon their repentance. This gives us occasion to suspect that Jonah had only delivered the message of wrath against the Ninevites, and had not at all assisted or encouraged them in their repentance, as one would think he should have done; for when they did repent, and found mercy, 1. Jonah grudged them the mercy they found (Jonah 4:1): It displeased Jonah exceedingly; and (would you think it?) he was very angry, was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jonah 4:2

And he prayed unto the Lord ,.... But in a very different manner from his praying in the fish's belly: this was a very disorderly prayer, put up in the hurry of his spirit, and in the heat of passion: prayer should be fervent indeed, but not like that of a man in a fever; there should be a warmth and ardour of affection in it, but it should be without wrath, as well as without doubting: this is called a prayer, because Jonah thought it to be so, and put it up to the Lord as one. It begins in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:2

I know that thou art a gracious God - See the note on Exodus 34:6 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:2

Verse 2 It seems by no means befitting that Jonah should have said here that he prayed; for prayer ought to be calm; but he confesses that his mind was in a state of excitement. As then anger was burning within the Prophet, how could he come before God and utter a suitable prayer? And further, what is the end of praying, but to confess that whatever good is to be obtained resides in God, and is to be sought humbly from him? But Jonah here, on the contrary, expostulates and clamors against God;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:1-3

Repining at God's mercy. A more mixed character than Jonah's it would not be easy to imagine. God's treatment of him, God's language to him, prove that he was regarded as a servant, as a prophet, of the Lord. His own prayers and thanksgivings indicated a nature in happy fellowship with the Eternal. Yet how lacking in human charity, in true submissiveness, in unselfishness! True to nature, the portrait is one very suggestive to the thoughtful reader, who is anxious to escape self and to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:1-4

1 . Jonah is grieved at the sparing of Nineveh, the expectation of which had led to his former flight, and complains of God's clemency. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:1-4

A misanthrope's case against Divine benevolence. It takes a good deal to make a man of God perfect. After a whole life's discipline the old man of sin will sometimes show his baleful features at the window of the soul. Jonah has just been figuring to our mind as a changed character, returned to his allegiance, going God's errand promptly, and doing his work with faithful zeal. But here he forfeits our good opinion, almost before it has had time to form. The patient's cure has been only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:1-5

Jonah's grief. There "sat" Jonah, watching, displeased with the Ninevites' preservation, grieved at the gentle dealings of their Preserver. And God's only rebuke of him was the gentle question, "Doest thou well to be angry?" In his mood and conduct let us read our own. I. OUR DISPLEASURE . Have we never been displeased with God's ways? It may have been as patriots. It is easy to be resigned to judgments that come upon our country's enemies. We must beware—beware lest we encourage... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:1-11

JONAH 'S DISPLEASURE AND ITS CORRECTION . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:2

He prayed. He carried his complaint to God, and was prepared to submit it to him, even while he questioned the wisdom of his clemency. I pray thee ( anna ); Vulgate, obsecro . A particle of entreaty, "Ah! I pray thee." Was not this my saying? Was not this what I said to myself, viz. that God would spare Nineveh if it showed signs of repentance? My country. Palestine, where the original message reached him. I fled before; literally, I anticipated to fly; Septuagint, ... read more

Group of Brands