The sudden downfall of a mighty empire often brings a shocking contrast between generations of deep-rooted stability and a rapid, chaotic collapse. For the great city of Nineveh, this transition from historical wealth to total panic is absolute.
From the very days of its founding, the city is likened to a vast pool of water [רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. The primary approach among commentators views this image as a symbol of peace, stability, and wealth. Just as a built pool gathers and holds still water [מצודת ציון, רש״י], Nineveh was full of bounty and sat securely undisturbed for generations [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. However, other perspectives understand this watery description literally, suggesting the city was constantly subjected to flooding. This reality may have been caused by the repeated overflowing of the Tigris River [מלבי״ם], or because the city was built on heavily saturated, spring-filled ground that forced its inhabitants to construct their homes on elevated wooden platforms [אברבנאל]. Another tradition sees this as a physical prophecy of Nineveh's ultimate fate, predicting that the city would eventually sink and be entirely washed away, leaving the ruins of its homes submerged in the watery depths [חומת אנך, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
From this established reality, a sudden breaking point occurs. The city's residents and soldiers flee in terror, abandoning all their accumulated wealth [מצודת דוד]. This lack of resolve is linked directly to the city's environment. Living in a damp, flooded landscape had softened and weakened the nature of the people, leaving them without the courage found in hardy mountain dwellers to stand against an enemy [אברבנאל]. Alternatively, their frantic escape may have been triggered by the terrifying early signs of the river beginning to flood [מלבי״ם].
As the chaotic retreat unfolds, desperate cries to stop and stand firm echo through the panic. Commentators offer different views on who is shouting. It may be the king and his officers pleading with their soldiers to halt and fight [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל], or it could be the fleeing citizens themselves calling out to one another to pause [אבן עזרא]. A more surprising perspective suggests that the invading enemies are the ones shouting for the people to stop. In this view, the conquerors promise safety to the fleeing citizens, as their only true goal is to overthrow Nineveh's wicked king [מלבי״ם, רד״ק].
Despite these urgent calls, the result is complete abandonment. The terror is so deep that no one turns their face or their heart to listen to the voices [מצודת ציון]. The people simply continue their blind, desperate flight, running away even when no one is actively chasing them [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי״ם].