The answer is: He sat down on the East of the city

Jonah 4:5 - A place where he probably had a good view of the city.

While Jonah perched himself east of Nineveh, he created quite the scene—just imagine him sulking under a gourd vine! Jonah's spot was more than just a place to grab a front-row seat; it was a crossroads of emotions, shielding him from the powerful transformation unfolding in the city. After all, this was a man who had run from a call to help—a prophet more familiar with evasion than help. Instead of rejoicing over the Ninevites' change of heart, he was simmering with disdain.

The gourd plant that sheltered him from the harsh sun eventually died, prompting Jonah's entirely relatable pout. But here's the kicker—it was through the death of that vine that a lesson finally sparked within Jonah. It's a reminder to consider what we value—our comforts and external accolades, perhaps more than the lives of those we deem beneath us. This narrative is packed with irony, fitting for the hero of a book where he initially tried to flee from God's mission.

Fun fact: The book of Jonah is one of the few fully narrative-based prophetic books, offering us rich storytelling instead of a laundry list of woes or judgments against the people. Plus, it interlinks with the moral about compassion rooted not just for one’s own mentality, but embracing stories of grace—even when they are not who we expect. Jonah’s hesitance turns this cautionary tale into one for each of us, highlighting how easy it is to miss the point of love and redemption waiting to bloom in unexpected places.