Jonah 4:3-4

3, 4. Therefore now Since he is discredited as a prophet (Deuteronomy 18:21-22), life is no longer worth living; yet he does not think of taking his own life; he asks Him who gave it to take it away.

It is better for me to die than to live Elijah also (1 Kings 19:4) prayed God to take his life (compare Numbers 11:15), but his weariness of life was due to another cause. G.A. Smith points out the difference between the two prophets in these words: “Elijah was jealous for Jehovah, Jonah was jealous of him.” The former failed in his attempt to convert the people to whom he was sent; the latter did succeed, but was disappointed when the Ninevites were converted; he grudged them the divine pardon. Jonah was too narrow; he “could not bear to see the love which, as he thought, was promised to Israel alone, and cherished by her, bestowed equally on her heathen oppressor.” He would rather die than see this done. Jehovah does not condemn Jonah harshly for this unreasonable outbreak; he rather attempts to brings him to his senses.

Doest thou well to be angry? “It is the gentle question of suggested reproof, designed to still the tumult of passion and lead to consideration and reflection.”