Jonah 1:1-6

JONAH’S COMMISSION; HIS DISOBEDIENCE AND PUNISHMENT, Jonah 1:1-16.

Jonah, the son of Amittai, is commissioned by Jehovah to preach to the Ninevites (Jonah 1:1-2); he disobeys and embarks on a vessel sailing in the opposite direction (Jonah 1:3). A severe tempest arises which threatens to destroy the vessel; to save it the sailors cast the cargo overboard (Jonah 1:4-5).

The captain appeals to Jonah to pray to his God for help (Jonah 1:6). When the tempest continues the sailors decide to find out by lot on whose account the calamity has befallen them. The lot falls on Jonah (Jonah 1:7). On inquiry he tells that he is a servant of Jehovah (Jonah 1:8-9). The information fills them with fear, but when no relief comes they finally cast him overboard (Jonah 1:10-15). The sea becomes calm, and the sailors worship Jehovah (Jonah 1:16).