Elijah picks Elisha I Kings 19

I Kings 19:19 "So he departed thence and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with eh twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him."

Elijah's ministry seems to be a short one but we do not know how long he was around before he contacted Ahab. Often the Bible does not give us a name but will say 'a man of God' or a prophet. Perhaps that is one reason he is compared to John the Baptist.

He was human though and got discouraged. It is the case, often, in the Christian life where after a victory in our life we are again tested by troubles.

v2 "Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah saying So let the gods do to me and more also if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time."

She was speaking of the death of the prophets of Baal and threatening to kill Elijah.

Elijah left the area and went into the wilderness after leaving his servant in Judah for his safety. Elijah was so discouraged that he wanted to die. v4 "... O LORD take away my life for I am not better than my fathers."

Then we have the story of the juniper tree where Elijah slept and the angels waking him up to give him food. Elijah traveled for 40 days on the strength of that food and was in a cave when we have this beautiful story. It answers the question Where do we find God? It is not always where we think.

v12 "And after the earthquake, a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."

Then they talked and Elijah was told that he was not alone but there were 7000 still out there serving the true God. So Elijah goes on his way and does the bidding of the LORD. He anoints two kings and then Elisha.

v21 "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."

Elisha answered the call but wanted to tell his family bye. He was given leave to do so. Then, it is obvious that his decision was final to follow Elijah. He did away with is earthly tools and bid goodbye to his family for a higher mission. He did not put the tools in a shed so he could come back if things did not work out.

Psalm 30:11 "Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing thou hast put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness;"

Keywords: Old Old Story, Bible study, Old Testament, Elijah, Ahad,Jezebel, Elisha. Elijah anoints Elisha.