Who guard "Havlei Shav"?
Rashi: Idolaters.
Radak: The sailors, who were idolaters. Meshamerim is not Po'el Yotzei (acts on others). It is like Shomerim.
Malbim: Now that Yonah accepted to go to Ninveh and rebuke them like Hashem's word, he consoled himself. Anshei Ninveh guard folly and serve idolatry. Refer to 2:9:2:6-7.
How do they abandon their Chesed?
Rashi, based on Targum Yonasan: This is Yir'as Hashem. All their Chesed and good is from Him. I do not do so ? "b'Kol Todah Ezbechah Lach" (10).
Rashi citing Pirkei d'R. Eliezer 10: The sailors abandoned the Chesed that they used to benefit idolatry, and converted.
Radak #1: I know that after the sailors were saved from the affliction, they will abandon their Chesed that they feared Hashem, screamed to Him and vowed. They will not fulfill their vows, and they will revert to serve their gods.
Radak #2: This is like "Chesed Hu" (Vayikra 20:17, regarding Arayos). They will abandon their gods, which are foul.
Radak citing Pirkei d'R. Eliezer 10: When the sailors reached Ninveh, since they saw all the miracles that Hashem did with Yonah, each cast his idols to the sea. They returned to Yafo, ascended to Yerushalayim and circumcised ? "va'Yire'u ha'Anashim Yir'ah Gedolah Es Hashem va'Yizbechu Zevach" (1:16) ? did they offer a Korban?! 1 Rather, this refers to blood of Bris Milah, which is like blood of a Korban. Each vowed to bring his wife and children all that he has 2 to fear Hashem Elokei Yonah. They vowed and fulfilled; they converted.
Malbim #1: Will they abandon their Chesed (shame, i.e. idolatry)? Surely they will not repent from idolatry!
Malbim #2: Even if they will abandon idolatry temporarily, afterwards they will abandon their Chesed and be liable to be eradicated again.
