Leaving aside the biblical quotes, Ninevah comes into the story as told by Michael Hurd in 'Jonah Man Jazz':
Opening song:

"Now Ninevah city was a city of sin
The jazzin' and the jivin' made a terrible din
Beat groups playin' a rock an' roll
And the Lord when he heard it said
"Bless my soul"

Now the people wouldn't listen
danced night and day,
No time to work, no time to pray.
They went on dancin' by day and night
Til the Lord he said;
"Now this ain't right"

The Lord he pondered a subtle plan,
He looked around for a righteous man.
Saw Jonah sittin' neath the pineapple tree
And the Lord he said
"That's the man for me"

A righteous man that I can trust
to raise this city out of the dust
The man that's sittin' neath the pineapple tree
I'm certain sure, sure, sure Is the man for me."

Nigel