NOTES for Jon 1:8-16
When Jonah declared that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, the people aboard the ship were greatly afraid. They do not know what has happened or what reasons prompted Jonah to act this way, but the very fact that a person could be capable of such a thing fills them with horror. Even those who do not yet know God perceive the very desire to escape from Him as something monstrous.
But now we see that Jonah is ready to sacrifice himself, and in his readiness we can discern more than a desire to stop the storm and atone for his guilt by accepting punishment for the sin of resisting God. We can now see hope in God in Jonah's calmness; it is no longer the calmness of carelessness. Jonah has overcome fear and is ready to go wherever the Lord may send him.
As a result of these events, Jonah's companions, confronted with the reality of the consequences of opposing God, turned to the Lord and made vows to Him. The Lord is able not only to correct even the consequences of our sinfulness, but also to turn them to good.