1 Kings 19:19-21·~1 min
The Call of Elisha
Elijah throws his cloak over Elisha in the field, and Elisha leaves the oxen to follow after saying farewell to his parents. He then slaughters the oxen, feeds the people, and rises to follow and serve Elijah.
S19o Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him. 20So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” 21So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.
Section summaryElijah finds Elisha at the plow and marks him with his cloak, and Elisha responds at once. By leaving his oxen, sharing a final meal, and following Elijah, he steps fully into the life now set before him.
Role in the chapterThis closing section begins the succession the Lord has just announced. It ends the chapter not with Elijah's fear but with the quiet beginning of continued prophetic ministry.