Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryJonah 4

The Prophet's Discontent This section shows how Jonah became upset with God after Nineveh repented and was spared. Jonah did not help or encourage the people of Nineveh to repent, and when they did, he was not happy about it. Instead of rejoicing over their salvation, Jonah was angry that God showed them mercy. This reveals how sometimes people can care more about their own honor or feelings than about God’s kindness and the good of others.v. 1: Jonah was extremely displeased and very angry when God spared Nineveh . He could not control his emotions and let his pride take over. Jonah was upset because the repentance of Nineveh made Israel look stubborn and unwilling to change. He also worried about his own reputation, fearing people would call him a false prophet if Nineveh was not destroyed. Jonah’s anger was not reasonable, and it came from pride and selfishness.

v. 2: Jonah argued with God about His mercy. He prayed, but his prayer was full of complaints. Jonah said, Was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? He admitted that he ran away because he knew God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and kind. Jonah was upset that God forgave the Ninevites, even though these are the very qualities of God that should make us thankful. It is wrong to be angry at God’s goodness, especially when we all need His mercy .

v. 3: In his frustration, Jonah asked God to take his life. He said, It is better for me to die than to live . This was not a wise or faithful request. Jonah was upset because things did not go as he wanted. He forgot how precious life is and how God had saved him before. Wanting to die just because God showed mercy to others is foolish and selfish.

v. 4: God gently corrected Jonah. The Lord

Jonah’s Displeasure and God’s Lesson with the Gourd This section describes Jonah’s reaction after God spares Nineveh. Jonah is upset and leaves the city to watch what will happen. God uses a plant, a worm, and the sun to teach Jonah about compassion. The story shows how God is patient with Jonah and wants him to understand the value of mercy. It reminds us that God’s love is greater than our anger, and He cares about all people, not just one nation.v. 5: So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city. After God forgave the people of Nineveh, Jonah left the city and sat on a hill to see if God would still judge them. He made a small shelter for himself to wait and watch what would happen .

v. 6: And the Lord

v. 7: But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered. The next day, God sent a worm that attacked the plant, and it died. The sudden loss of the shade made Jonah uncomfortable again. This was part of God’s plan to teach Jonah an important lesson .

v. 8: And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. God also sent a hot wind, and the sun was very strong on Jonah. He became so miserable that he wished he could die. Jonah cared more about his own comfort than about the lives of the people in Nineveh .

v. 9: And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death. God asked Jonah if he was right to be so angry about the plant. Jonah insisted that he was right, even so much that he wanted to die. He was still upset about what had happened with Nineveh and now about losing his shade .

v. 10–11: Then said the Lord