The prophetic call came to Elisha while with his father’s servants
he was plowing in the field. As Elijah, divinely directed in seeking a
successor, cast his mantle upon the young man’s shoulders, Elisha
recognized and obeyed the summons. He “went after Elijah, and
[59] ministered unto him.” 1 Kings 19:21. It was no great work that was
at first required of Elisha; commonplace duties still constituted his
discipline. He is spoken of as pouring water on the hands of Elijah,
his master. As the prophet’s personal attendant, he continued to
prove faithful in little things, while with daily strengthening purpose
he devoted himself to the mission appointed him by God.
When he was first summoned, his resolution had been tested. As
he turned to follow Elijah he was bidden by the prophet to return
home. He must count the cost—decide for himself to accept or reject
the call. But Elisha understood the value of his opportunity. Not for
any worldly advantage would he forgo the possibility of becoming
God’s messenger, or sacrifice the privilege of association with His
servant.
As time passed, and Elijah was prepared for translation, so Elisha
was prepared to become his successor. And again his faith and
resolution were tested. Accompanying Elijah in his round of service,
knowing the change soon to come, he was at each place invited by
the prophet to turn back. “Tarry here, I pray thee,” Elijah said; “for
the Lord hath sent me to Bethel.” But in his early labor of guiding
the plow, Elisha had learned not to fail or to become discouraged;
and now that he had set his hand to the plow in another line of duty,
he would not be diverted from his purpose. As often as the invitation
to turn back was given, his answer was, “As the Lord liveth, and as
thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” 2 Kings 2:2.
“And they two went on.... And they two stood by Jordan. And
Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters,
and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over
[60] on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over,
that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I
be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double
portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a
hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee,
it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to
pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a
Chapter 7—Lives of Great Men 45
chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and
Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
“And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot
of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and
he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He
took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back,
and stood by the bank of Jordan; and he took the mantle of Elijah
that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the
Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they
parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. And when the sons
of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said,
The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him,
and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” 2 Kings 2:6-15.
Henceforth Elisha stood in Elijah’s place. And he who had been
