Matthew Poole and continuators on Jonah 3:9

9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent , and turn away from his fierce anger , that we perish not?

Here is the ground of the Ninivites Fasting and praying, there is a possibility that they may escape, there is fairly argued a probability, for why should the ruine beforehand be threatned but to give warning, so many days ere it come, unless it be to [illegible: 1 letter]ry us, whether we will Fast, Pray, Repent and amend? and though Ionah had no commission to promise them a deliverance, yet 'tis very like he acquainted them with the merciful and gracious nature of his God. This speech of theirs, Vid. Ioel 2.14. and 2 Sam. 12.22. it includes both faith and doubt, yet Faith prevailing to use of means.

If we return by Repentance, to which God would now call us by this minatory admonition, he may perhaps return to us in mercy, and by the event shew 'twas not an irrevocable sentence past against us.

Forbear to execute that terrible menace of overthrowing us in his just and hot displeasure against our sins, this explains that which he had called repenting before, which being here as elsewhere 'tis attributed to God after the manner of mans speaking must be interpreted as becometh his immutability, and majesty.

Suddenly, exemplarily, temporally and eternally all which impenitent sinners deserve, Ninevites were in danger of, and the provoked justice of God would have brought upon them if they had not repented.