Jonah Notes (1:3, 5, 9-10, 15-17)

1. Most commentators I've read say that Jonah's flight might be explained by his words at Jonah 4:2. For instance:

"But Jonah rose up to flee.—The motive of the prophet's flight is given by himself (Jonah 4:2). He foresaw the repentance of the city, and the mercy which would be displayed towards it, and was either jealous of his prophetic reputation, or had a patriotic dislike of becoming a messenger of good to a heathen foe so formidable to his own country" (Ellicott's Commentary).

"He refused God's service, because, as he himself tells God afterward Jonah 4:2, he knew what it would end in, and he misliked it" (Barnes' Notes on the Bible).

NET Bible Notes for Jonah 1:3: "The narrator's description is also highly ironic, as the rest of the book shows. Jonah tries to sail to Tarshish, in the opposite direction from Nineveh, as if by doing that he could escape from the Lord, when the Lord is the one who knows all about Nineveh's wickedness and is involved in all that happens to Jonah throughout the book. Compare Jonah's explanation when talking with the Lord (see 4:2)."

2. In Constable's Notes for Jonah 1:10: "Before, the mariners had feared the storm, but now they feared the Lord,
recognizing the Creator above the creation."

3. Constable's Notes on 1:15-16: "The immediate cessation of the storm proved to the sailors that Yahweh really did control the sea (cf. Matt. 8:26). Therefore they 'feared' (respected) Him, 'offered a sacrifice' to Him (when they reached shore?), and 'made vows' (perhaps to venerate Him, cf. Ps. 116:17-18)."

4. "1: 5 afraid. The first of three references to the sailors' fear (see vv. 10, 16). While their fear of the storm intensifies in v. 10, by v. 16 their fear focuses on the one who initiated the storm. his own god. The sailors, possibly of different nationalities, apparently worshiped several different pagan gods. They later cry out to the Lord (v. 14). below deck. Descending yet again (see note on v. 3), Jonah is oblivious to the danger of the storm."

Zondervan (2015-08-25). NIV, Zondervan Study Bible, eBook: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message (Kindle Locations 210958-210962). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Zondervan (2015-08-25). NIV, Zondervan Study Bible, eBook: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message (Kindle Locations 210956-210958). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

5. "1: 9 Hebrew. In foreign contexts often designates an Israelite (e.g., Gen 40: 15; Exod 1: 19). worship. Closely links to the Hebrew verb that reports the sailors' fear in vv. 5, 10, 16. Whereas their fear results in frantic action, Jonah's confession that he fears/ worships God rings hollow in the light of his disobedience. the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land. By emphasizing the Lord's authority over the whole creation, Jonah makes it very clear that his God is responsible for the storm."

Zondervan (2015-08-25). NIV, Zondervan Study Bible, eBook: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message (Kindle Locations 210969-210974). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.