NOTES for Jon 3:1-10
The repentance of the Ninevites enters a new, more powerful stage when the impulse to repent reaches the king. Although we know of no historical kings of Assyria who repented, it is important to see something else here: the king does not stand aside from the movement of repentance that has seized the people and does not reject this “initiative from below.” As head of the people, he does not separate himself from those who repent and acknowledges his own sins, which are inseparable from the sins of all his subjects. The example of one who holds power can influence his subjects in either direction. Just as we should not reject the possibility that hardened sinners may change their ways, neither should we think that rulers are incapable of being guided by considerations other than purely utilitarian ones.
The Lord revoked the calamities He had foretold because their repentance was genuine. This means that we too may hope that the calamities which frighten us today need not happen if we change our ways. If only our repentance does not turn out to be a mere formality.