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 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.

Read full chapter

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