19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat while he was plowing, with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah came over to him and threw (A)his cloak on him. 20 Then he left the oxen behind and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please (B)let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back, for [a]what have I done to you?” 21 So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them, and (C)cooked their meat with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he got up and followed Elijah and served him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 19:20 I.e., so as to influence Elisha’s decision

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)

Read full chapter