1 Kings 19:19 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19-21

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. He must come in Elijah's room; yet Elijah is forward 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, 1. That it was an unexpected surprising call. Elijah found him by divine direction, or perhaps he was before acquainted with him and knew... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19

So he departed thence ,.... From Mount Horeb, and came to Abelmeholah, which Bunting computes F26 Travels, &c.; p. 204. at one hundred and fifty six miles: and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth ; which may be understood either of twelve couple of oxen drawing one plough; which was a large number, but will not seem strange when it is observed, that Abelmeholah, where Elisha was ploughing, lay in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 19:19

Twelve yoke of oxen - Elisha must have had a considerable estate, when he kept twelve yoke of oxen to till the ground. If, therefore, he obeyed the prophetic call, he did it to considerable secular loss. He with the twelfth - Every owner of an inheritance among the Hebrews, and indeed among the ancients in general, was a principal agent in its cultivation. Cast his mantle upon him - Either this was a ceremony used in a call to the prophetic office, or it indicated... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19

So he departed thence, and found [Nothing can be concluded from this word as to previous acquaintance] Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was ploughing [It was in the winter, consequently. "Elisha is found not in his study, but in the field: not with a book in his hand, but the plough" (Hall). with twelve yoke of oxen [Heb. ploughing twelve yoke , from which Ewald gathers that he was ploughing twelve yoke of land— צֶמֶד like jugum, is used as a measure of land in 1 Samuel 14:14 , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19

" Found Elisha … ploughing ." God never calls an idle man. "If ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" ( Luke 16:11 .) The man who will not plough by reason of the cold ( Proverbs 20:4 ), if he put his hand to the gospel plough, will presently look back ( Luke 9:62 ), and go not to the work ( Acts 15:38 ). The apostles were called from their ships, their nets, the receipt of custom, etc; none from the market place or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19-21

The Call of Elisha. After the visions of Horeb, and in pursuance of the commission there received, Elijah returned from the wilderness and re-entered the land of Israel. Whether he went round by Damascus, and in his course anointed Hazael to be king over Syria, as Samuel had anointed David long before he ascended the throne of Israel, we are not informed. It is not necessary for the fulfilment of his instructions ( 1 Kings 19:15 ) to suppose that he did so; for prophets are said to do... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19-21

The Call of Elisha. It was by an express Divine command that Elijah summoned Elisha to the prophetic office ( 1 Kings 19:16 ). And yet we may discern a purely human element in this. He did it by the impulse of natural feeling. Stern, rugged, self reliant as he was, he needed sympathy and companionship. He yearned for the society of a kindred spirit. He could not bear to live alone. Whether he had any previous personal knowledge of Elisha we know not; but it is certain that, totally... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19-21

The Call of Elisha. It was by an express Divine command that Elijah summoned Elisha to the prophetic office ( 1 Kings 19:16 ). And yet we may discern a purely human element in this. He did it by the impulse of natural feeling. Stern, rugged, self reliant as he was, he needed sympathy and companionship. He yearned for the society of a kindred spirit. He could not bear to live alone. Whether he had any previous personal knowledge of Elisha we know not; but it is certain that, totally... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19-21

The Prophet's Call. I. THE CALL TO SERVICE . 1 . Where it found him— in the field engaged in laborious, careful toil. The Master chooses servants for higher trusts who have been faithful in lower. 2 . How it came . The mantle cast upon him was a sign of adoption. It was a call to share the prophet's home and love. Elijah was to find a son in the newly-called servant of God, and Elisha a father in the great prophet of Israel. We pass into God's service through union... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 19:19

Plowing - Elisha’s occupation is an indication of his character. He is emphatically a man of peace. He passes the year in those rural occupations which are natural to the son of a wealthy yeoman - superintending the field-laborers himself, and taking a share in their toils. He thus presents a strong contrast to the stern, harsh, rugged Gileadite, who is almost half an Arab, who seems to have no settled home, no quiet family circle, who avoids the haunts of men, and is content for months to... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19-21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 19:19

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:19-21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 19:19

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