In which direction from Jerusalem was Nineveh, and which way did Jonah flee?
Nineveh was located a little to the east and then up to the north from Jerusalem. The city was Gentile, and Jonah was adamant against going. Instead, he took a ship and attempted to flee west out onto the Mediterranean Sea.
Les explains that God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, a Gentile city. Nineveh was a little to the east and then up to the north from Jerusalem. Jonah had the same mindset as Peter in Acts chapter 10 when the Lord told him to go to Cornelius; he did not want to go. So he took a ship and tried to go west out on the Mediterranean. In the account, they throw him overboard, a great fish takes Jonah, and for all practical purposes he died. Jesus refers to the account of Jonah Himself, so we know it is true.