¹⁵ Then the Lord said to him, “Go and return by the way you came to the Wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael^(A) as king over Aram. ¹⁶ You are to anoint Jehu^(B) son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha^(C) son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. ¹⁷ Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael,^(D) and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.^{(E) 18} But I will leave 7,000 in Israel^(F)—every knee that has not bowed to Baal^(G) and every mouth that has not kissed him.”^(H)

Elisha’s Appointment as Elijah’s Successor

¹⁹ Elijah left there and found Elisha^(I) 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.^{(J) 20} Elisha left the oxen, ran to follow Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you.”^(K)

“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 them. With the oxen’s wooden yoke and plow,^(L) he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him.^(M)