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18 (A) But 7,000 Israelites have refused to worship Baal, and they will live.

Elisha Becomes Elijah's Assistant

19 Elijah left and found Elisha plowing a field with a pair of oxen. There were eleven other men in front of him, and each one was also plowing with a pair of oxen. Elijah went over and put his own coat on Elisha.[a]

20 Elisha stopped plowing and ran after him. “Let me kiss my parents goodbye, then I'll go with you,” he said.

“You can go,” Elijah said. “But remember what I've done for you.”

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Footnotes

  1. 19.19 put … Elisha: This was a sign that Elijah wanted Elisha to follow him and become a prophet.

18 Yet I reserve(A) seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed(B) him.”

The Call of Elisha

19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak(C) around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,”(D) he said, “and then I will come with you.”

“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”

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