19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. 20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? 21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. (1 Kings 19:19-21 KJV)
Elisha Follows Elijah
Elisha was named last in the orders God gave to Elijah, but he was first called, for by him the other two were to be called. Elisha must come in Elijah’s place; yet Elijah is eager to raise him and is far from being jealous of his successor, but rejoices to think that he shall leave the work of God in such good hands. Concerning the call of Elisha, observe that:
It was an unexpected, surprising call. Elijah found him by divine direction. He found him not in the schools of the prophets, but in the field, not reading, praying, or sacrificing, but plowing (1 Kings 19:19). Though a great man (as appears by his feast, 1 Kings 19:21), master of the land, oxen, and servants, he did not think it beneath him to follow his work himself, and not only oversee his servants, but lay his hand to the plow. Idleness is no man’s honor, nor is farming any man’s disgrace. An honest calling in the world does not hinder our heavenly calling any more than it did Elisha, who was taken from following the plow to feed Israel and sow the seed of the word, just as the apostles were taken from fishing to catch men. Elisha did not seek out Elijah, but was anticipated with this call. We love God and choose him because he chose us and loved us first.
It was a powerful call. Elijah cast his mantle upon him (1 Kings 19:19), as a sign of friendship and that he would take him under his care, or perhaps signifying that Elisha would be clothed with the spirit of Elijah—now putting some of his honor upon him, as Moses did on Joshua (Numbers 27:20); but, when Elijah went to heaven, Elisha received the mantle entirely (2 Kings 2:13). Immediately he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, saying he would follow him soon (1 Kings 19:20). An invisible hand touched his heart and inclined him, by a secret power without any external persuasion, to leave his farming and give himself to ministry. It is in a day of power that Christ’s subjects are made willing (Psalm 110:3), and none would come to Christ unless drawn. Elisha resolved right away but asked only for time to say goodbye to his parents. This was not an excuse for delay like the one in Luke 9:61, but an act of respect and duty to his parents. Elijah told him to go back and do it; he would not stop him. He would not force him or take him unwillingly; let him count the cost and choose freely. The power of God’s grace preserves the liberty of the human will, so those who are good are good by choice, not by force—volunteers, not conscripts.
It was a pleasant and welcome call to him, shown by the farewell feast he made for his family (1 Kings 19:21), though he gave up all the comforts of his father’s house and exposed himself to Jezebel and her faction. It was a discouraging time for prophets to begin their work. Someone who consulted with worldly logic would not be eager for Elijah’s mantle or willing to wear his cloak; yet Elisha cheerfully and with great satisfaction leaves everything to follow him. So Matthew made a great feast when he left the tax booth to follow Christ.
It was an effective call. Elijah did not wait for him, so he wouldn’t seem to force him, but left him to choose freely, and Elisha soon got up, followed him, and not only traveled with him but served him as an assistant, pouring water on his hands (2 Kings 3:11). It is a great advantage for young ministers to spend time under the guidance of those who are older and experienced, whose years teach wisdom, and not to mind serving them when needed. Those who would be fit to teach must take time to learn, and those who hope to rise and lead must first be willing to humble themselves and serve.