Viewing the original 1611 KJV with archaic English spelling.
Click to switch to the Standard KJV.



+     Text Size    

1 But it displeased Ionah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

2 And he prayed vnto the Lord, and sayd, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my countrey? Therefore I fledde before vnto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and mercifull, slow to anger, and of great kindnesse, and repentest thee of the euill.

3 Therefore now, O Lord, Take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die then to liue.

4 ¶ Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?

5 So Ionah went out of the citie, and sate on the East side of the city, and there made him a boothe, and sate vnder it in the shadow, till hee might see what would become of the citie.

6 And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come vp ouer Ionah, that it might be a shadow ouer his head, to deliuer him from his griefe. So Ionah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

7 But God prepared a worme when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

8 And it came to passe when the Sunne did arise, that God prepared a vehement East wind; and the Sunne beat vpon the head of Ionah, that hee fainted, and wished in himselfe to die, and said, It is better for me to die, then to liue.

9 And God said to Ionah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? and he said, I doe well to be angry, euen vnto death.

10 Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pitie on the gourde, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow, which came vp in a night, and perished in a night:

11 And should not I spare Nineueh that great citie, wherein are more then sixscore thousand persons, that cannot discerne betweene their right hand and their left hand, and also much cattell?

Viewing the original 1611 KJV with archaic English spelling
Click to switch to the Standard KJV.


Commentary for Jonah 4

Jonah repines at God's mercy to Nineveh, and is reproved. (1-4) He is taught by the withering of a gourd, that he did wrong. (5-11)1-4 What all the saints make matter of joy and praise, Jonah makes the subject of reflection upon God; as if showing mercy were an imperfection of the Divine nature, which is the greatest glory of it. It is to his sparing, pardoning mercy, we all owe it that we are out of hell. He wishes for death: this was the language of folly, passion, and strong corruption. There appeared in Jonah remains of a proud, uncharitable spirit; and that he neither expected nor desired the welfare of the Ninevites, but had only come to declare and witness their destruction. He was not duly humbled for his own sins, and was not willing to trust the Lord with his credit and safety. In this frame of mind, he overlooked the good of which he had been an instrument, and the glory of the Divine mercy. We should often ask ourselves, Is it well to say thus, to do thus? Can I justify it? Do I well to be so soon angry, so often angry, so long angry, and to give others ill language in my anger? Do I well to be angry at the mercy of God to repenting sinners? That was Jonah's crime. Do we do well to be angry at that which is for the glory of God, and the advancement of his kingdom? Let the conversion of sinners, which is the joy of heaven, be our joy, and never our grief.

5-11 Jonah went out of the city, yet remained near at hand, as if he expected and desired its overthrow. Those who have fretful, uneasy spirits, often make troubles for themselves, that they may still have something to complain of. See how tender God is of his people in their afflictions, even though they are foolish and froward. A thing small in itself, yet coming seasonably, may be a valuable blessing. A gourd in the right place may do us more service than a cedar. The least creatures may be great plagues, or great comforts, as God is pleased to make them. Persons of strong passions are apt to be cast down with any trifle that crosses them, or to be lifted up with a trifle that pleases them. See what our creature-comforts are, and what we may expect them to be; they are withering things. A small worm at the root destroys a large gourd: our gourds wither, and we know not what is the cause. Perhaps creature-comforts are continued to us, but are made bitter; the creature is continued, but the comfort is gone. God prepared a wind to make Jonah feel the want of the gourd. It is just that those who love to complain, should never be left without something to complain of. When afflicting providences take away relations, possessions, and enjoyments, we must not be angry at God. What should especially silence discontent, is, that when our gourd is gone, our God is not gone. Sin and death are very dreadful, yet Jonah, in his heat, makes light of both. One soul is of more value than the whole world; surely then one soul is of more value than many gourds: we should have more concern for our own and others' precious souls, than for the riches and enjoyments of this world. It is a great encouragement to hope we shall find mercy with the Lord, that he is ready to show mercy. And murmurers shall be made to understand, that how willing soever they are to keep the Divine grace to themselves and those of their own way, there is one Lord over all, who is rich in mercy to all that call upon him. Do we wonder at the forbearance of God towards his perverse servant? Let us study our own hearts and ways; let us not forget our own ingratitude and obstinacy; and let us be astonished at God's patience towards us.

Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.

Bible Options

Sponsored Links