Jonah, son of Amittai, was called by the LORD to proclaim judgment against Nineveh; he instead fled toward Tarshish, repented in the belly of the great fish, and afterward preached, resulting in the repentance of the entire city.
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Jonah's account begins when the word of Jehovah came to him, commanding him to go to the great city of Nineveh and warn its inhabitants of coming judgment. Instead of obeying, Jonah went down to Joppa and boarded a ship headed for Tarshish, fleeing from the presence of the LORD. When a violent storm threatened the vessel, the sailors cast lots to determine who was responsible, and Jonah confessed that he was the cause. Thrown overboard, he was swallowed by a great fish. Inside the belly of the fish for three days and three nights, Jonah prayed to God, acknowledging that salvation comes from the LORD, and vowed to offer praise as a sacrifice. The fish then vomited Jonah onto dry land. The word of Jehovah came to Jonah a second time, and this time he obeyed, entering Nineveh to proclaim that the city would be overthrown in forty days. The people of Nineveh believed God, fasting from the greatest to the least; the king rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. God relented from the disaster He had threatened, because they turned from their evil way. Jonah was greatly displeased and angry, for he had known from the beginning that God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness. Through the rise and withering of a plant, a worm, and a scorching wind, God taught Jonah that His compassion extends even to the great city of Nineveh with its many who could not discern their right hand from their left.