Elisha’s Appointment as Elijah’s Successor
19 Elijah left there and found Elisha 19:19 1Kg 19:16–17 son of Shaphat as he was plowing. Twelve teams of oxen were in front of him, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah walked by him and threw his mantle over him. 19:19 2Kg 2:8,13–1420 Elisha left the oxen, ran to follow Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you." 19:20 Mt 8:21–22
"Go on back," he replied, "for what have I done to you? "
21 So he turned back from following him, took the team of oxen, and slaughtered 19:21 Or sacrificed them. With the oxen’s wooden yoke and plow, 19:21 1Sm 6:14; 2Sm 24:22 he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him. 19:21 Lk 14:26,33