1 Kings 19:20

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 19:20

And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah ,.... His heart being touched by the Lord at the same time, and his mind enlightened to understand what was meant by that action: and said, let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother ; take his leave of them in this way, which was what was used by friends at parting, see 1:9 . and then I will follow thee ; which he understood was meant by his casting his mantle over him: and he said unto him, go back again ; to his plough: ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 19:20

Let me - kiss my father and my mother - Elisha fully understood that he was called by this ceremony to the prophetic office: and it is evident that he conferred not with flesh and blood, but resolved, immediately resolved, to obey; only he wished to bid farewell to his relatives. See below. What have I done to thee ? - Thy call is not from me, but from God: to him, not to me, art thou accountable for thy use or abuse of it. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:20

And he left the oxen [As, being the last in the line, he could do, without stopping the others. It is probable too that, Elisha being the last, Elijah's action would not have been observed by the rest], and ran after Elijah [It is clear that Elisha both understood the act, and made up his mind at once. No doubt he too had long sighed and prayed over the demoralization of his country and the dishonour done to his God. Elijah, after casting the mantle, strode on, leaving it for Elisha to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 19:20

" He left the oxen ." No service without sacrifice. Sometimes it is only ships and nets ( Mark 1:20 ), sometimes it is houses and lands, father and mother, wife and child ( Matthew 19:29 ). " Go back again ." Why should he not kiss his father and mother? "For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother," and it is not for the greatest of the prophets to make the commandment of God of none effect ( Matthew 15:4-6 ). Religion developes and intensifies the domestic... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 19:20

Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father ... - Not an unnatural request before following his new spiritual father. Elijah sees in his address a divided heart, and will not give the permission or accept the service thus tendered. Hence, his cold reply. See Luke 9:61-62.Go back again ... - i. e., “Go, return to thy plowing ... why shouldest thou quit it? Why take leave of thy friends and come with me? What have I done to thee to require such a sacrifice? for as a sacrifice thou evidently regardest it.... read more

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