Charles Ellicott Commentary Jonah 1:14

"Wherefore they cried unto Jehovah, and said, We beseech thee, O Jehovah, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man`s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood; for thou, O Jehovah, hast done as it pleased thee." — Jonah 1:14 (ASV)

Therefore they cried to the Lord.— There is presented here, as throughout the book, a strong contrast between the readiness of the heathen to receive religious impressions, and the stubbornness and obstinacy of Israel.

For this man’s life ...— that is, for taking it. The law of retaliation was as familiar to them as to the Hebrews (Deuteronomy 19:21). (Compare 2 Samuel 14:7).

For thou.—The original is more impressive: For Thou, Jehovah, as it hath pleased Thee, Thou hast done. The storm, the lot, the request of the prophet himself, all showed that the sailors were but instruments in carrying out the Divine purpose.