Elisha’s Appointment as Elijah’s Successor

19 Elijah left there and found Elisha(A) 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.(B) 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.”(C)

“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,(D) he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him.(E)

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Elisha Chosen to Replace Elijah

19 Elijah left there and located Shaphat’s son Elisha, who was plowing, along with a total of[a] twelve pairs of oxen.[b] (He was plowing with the twelfth pair.) As Elijah passed by, he tossed his cloak at Elisha.[c] 20 He abandoned the oxen, ran off to follow Elijah, and asked him, “Please, let me kiss my mother and father good-bye, and then I’ll come after you.”

“Go back again,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”

21 So Elisha[d] turned back, took the pair of oxen, sacrificed them, boiled their flesh using the farm implements for fuel, and gave the food to the people with him.[e] Then he got up, followed Elijah, and became his servant.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 19:19 The Heb. lacks a total of
  2. 1 Kings 19:19 The Heb. lacks of oxen
  3. 1 Kings 19:19 Lit. him
  4. 1 Kings 19:21 Lit. he
  5. 1 Kings 19:21 The Heb. lacks with him