Matthew Poole and continuators on Jonah 1:10

10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid , and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? for the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD , because he had told them

When Ionah had declared his God, whose power and wrath these Mariners saw and heard in the Tempest, and what sin of his was now punisht, and how they had taken him into their ship, knowing that he did run away from this mighty God.

Their fear was doubled, every thing now represents horrour to them, their own danger, Nineveh's approaching dismal ruin which they believe by what they see; satisfied, that he so tremendously punisht the refusal to deliver the message, was able, and certainly would execute the sentence which he commanded should be delivered.

Now they ask a reason for that of which no reason can be given; It was most unreasonable that Ionah had done, and we find no answer to this interrogatory, though the foregoing questions were answered; others think 'tis a reproof of him for so doing, I rather think it mixt of both; 'twas a real reproof to him-self while he more particularly explains the great sinfulness of this prank of his; and 'tis an enquiry made for satisfaction to them, who no doubt thought of Ionah's God as they did of their own, that 'twas no hard matter to be done, nor any great sin, if done, to run from their presence. These likely were their thoughts of the thing when he first told them; but the dreadful storm that Ionah's God sent after this fugitive Servant of his, makes them more curious to know what great sin it was, and so Ionah explaining the whole, confesseth his sin, humbleth himself, and takes the reproof to himself, and informeth them aright.

The Master of the Ship, and the Marriners.

In these words 'tis probable he told them, now though they knew this was the thing yet they apprehended not what was in it, but did judge of this by their own Gods, and their presence,

when they enquired the cause of his Travels, as 'tis very like they would do, e're they took his fare.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 span].