v1: Jonah finds himself inside the whale's belly; here is preservation and preparation, rather than punishment, although he doubtless feels rebuked. Three days and nights alone; time to consider and to repent.

Consider his motives; why does he not want to go to Nineveh? He is not scared, not prejudiced against Gentiles, nor even selfish; see 1.12, where he is willing to give up his life for others. Perhaps the book shows man's inconsistency and fickleness.

God uses the time Jonah is in the whale's belly to mould him. This does not condone Jonah's disobedience, but shows God's mercy to His servant.

Jonah prays; there is no such prayer in chapter 1; is this his 'last resort?'

v2: He cries out to the Lord; although he has been disobedient, he turns to the Lord; for he cannot turn to anyone else. Who else can answer a man trapped inside a whale? It is prayer born out of affliction; Ps 56.8; 126.5; Is 38.1-5. This affliction is sent by God to encourage prayer (Is 38.17), and to strengthen faith; as such affliction under God's hand will bring us good. In contrast, Satan sends trials to destroy us.

Here too is God's chastening; Heb 12.5-11;

• every son; a sign of God's blessing on His children;
• grievous; it hurts;
• nevertheless, afterwards; there is always an afterwards, see v10; 3.1;
• for our profit; our benefit; spiritual maturity.

v3: Jonah acknowledges that God has sent him there; "you hurled me...your waves and breakers."

v4: Jonah is banished, separated from God, yet he prays "towards your holy temple;" restoring his fellowship with God, 2 Chr 6.38-39.

v5-7: Jonah's acknowledges that his life is preserved by God; even in the extremity of his experience, he knows God's preservation. In this time, he prayed, and found comfort and fresh confidence in God.

v8-9: Fresh commitment to the Lord; confidence that He will answer and deliver. There is a grace that he has found; a new song of thanksgiving, a new willingness to worship in sacrifice and vows; and he learns anew that the Lord is the author of salvation.

v10: The Lord answers; He sends the fish to preserve Jonah, and to bring him to Nineveh. Doubtless Jonah's appearance is dramatically changed, after three days inside the whale's stomach, his clothes and skin bleached white by the intestinal acids.

Here is a picture of Christ's death and resurrection, 1 Cor 15.26-27, ,54-58.