Jonah’s Angry Prayer (4:1-4):

4:1–4 God has forgiven the great city of Nineveh, that symbol of human ruthlessness and evil; Nineveh will no longer be judged. That decision now sends Jonah into a paroxysm of anger, verse 1. Jonah’s preaching has brought about the result that every prophet should hope for—repentance and transformation of life in those to whom the message of judgment has been announced. Jonah has been successful—and he is furious.

The reason for his fury, as well as for his initial flight from Yahweh to Tarshish, is stated in verse 2. Jonah knew the character of God. He knew it would do no good for him to preach judgment upon Nineveh, because he knew that God is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love” and that therefore God’s grace would prevail over judgme…