Jonah rose up to flee] Whereby he declared his weaknesse, that would not promptly follow the Lords calling; but gave place to his own reason, which perswaded him that he should nothing at all profit there, seeing he had done so small good among his own people, Chap. 4. 2. Tarshish] The most common opinion is, that he meaneth the citie of Tarsus in Cilicia, the countrey of the Apostle Paul, Act. 21 39. & 22. 3. Others translate it, to flie by sea. from the presence of the LORD] Namely, from the land of Israel where God made his abode in grace and vertue, and where he appeared to his Prophets. Or it is a phrase taken from slaves, who by stealth runne away from their masters service: to shew that he did runne away from the vocation whereunto God had called him, and wherein he would have assisted him. Joppa] Which was the haven, and port to take shipping thither; called also Joppe, Acts 9:36. See Joshua 19:46. 2 Chronicles 2:16.