IV Jonah repines at God's mercy, ver. 1-3. Is reproved, ver. 4. His discontent at the withering of the gourd, ver. 5-9. God improves it for his conviction, ver. 10, 11.

Verse 1. It - The divine forbearance sparing Nineveh.

Verse 2. Was not this - Did I not think of this? That thy pardon would contradict my preaching.

Verse 3. Than to live - Disgraced and upbraided by hardened sinners, who will brand me for a liar.

Verse 5. A booth - Some small and mean shed, probably of green boughs. 'Till he might see - It seems the forty days were not fully expired.

Verse 6. Prepared - Commanded that in the place where Jonah's booth stood, this spreading plant should spring up to be a shade when the gathered boughs were withered. To deliver - To give some ease to his mind.

Verse 7. Prepared - By the same power which caused the gourd suddenly to spring, and spread itself. It smote - Which early next morning, bit the root, so that the whole gourd withered.

Verse 8. A east wind - A dry, scorching, blasting wind. Fainted - Overcome by the heat. Better to die - But Jonah must be wiser, and humbler, and more merciful too, e'er he die. Before God hath done with him, he will teach him to value his own life more, and to be more tender of the life of others.

Verse 9. I do well to be angry - If in the violence of this passion I should die (as some have) yet were I not to blame. What a speech! Verily the law made nothing perfect!

Verse 10. laboured - Thou didst not set it. Grow - Nor didst thou water or give growth to it.