Jonah - Summary

Title:	This book is named for its principal character, the prophet Jonah
Author:	The author of the writing of this is actually unknown for sure.  However it would appear that Jonah told his own story following his return from Nineveh.  It seems most likely Jonah who also wrote it.
Date:	The date of this book would be between approximately 785 to 760 BC during the reign of Jeroboam II in Israel
Main Theme	The main theme of Jonah is that God is a God of unlimited compassion and forgiveness, not only for His called people Israel, but to anyone who will repent of their evil and sinful ways and submit to Him. Even the Assyrians.
Location:	This story takes place on (and in) the Mediterranean Sea, Tarshish, and Nineveh.
History	The King of Nineveh ruled over this area of Assyria.  The Assyrians were a very brutal, bloody, vile and vicious people.  They conquered everyone around them and relentlessly devoured everything in their path.  At this point in time when Jonah presents God's message to them the actually relent, repent and turn to the God of Israel.  However, how soon we forget.  It was only a century later a future King of Assyria, having rebuilt the reputation of terror the Assyrians were known for captured Samaria (the capital of Israel) and took the people into captivity.
Major Characters:	Jonah
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