1 Kings 19:21

And he returned back from him [Wordsworth is not warranted in affirming that Elisha "did not go back and kiss," etc. The text rather implies that he did], and took a yoke [Heb. the yoke ; Cf. verse 19] of oxen, and slew them [Heb. sacrificed ; LXX . ἔθυσε . But the word, though generally restricted to sacrificial Ac, primarily means, to slay" simply, as here, and in Genesis 31:54 ; 1 Samuel 28:24 ; 2 Chronicles 18:2 ; Ezekiel 39:17 . There was no altar there, and the flesh of a sacrifice was never boiled], and boiled their flesh [Heb. boiled them, the flesh ] with the Instruments of the oxen [the plough, yoke, etc. The plough of the East is extremely rude and slender, but the yoke, shaft, etc; would afford a fair supply of wood. The scarcity of timber may have had something to do with this application of the "instruments of the oxen;" but it is much more important to see it in a symbolical act, expressive of Elisha's entire renunciation of his secular calling. He would henceforth need them no longer. Cf. 1 Samuel 6:14 ; 2 Samuel 24:22 ], and gave unto the people [Not only the servants or peasants who had been ploughing with him, but possibly his neighbours and friends. This was a farewell, not a religious feast. Cf. Luke 5:29 , where Levi makes a "great feast" on the occasion of his call], and they did eat. Then he arose , and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him [ i.e; became his attendant, as Joshua had been the minister of Moses ( Exodus 24:13 ; Joshua 1:1 ), and as Gehazi subsequently became servant to him. See 2 Kings 3:11 : "Elisha… which poured water on the hands of Elijah;" and cf. Acts 13:5 .]

HOMILETICS

God and the Man of God.

This chapter lends itself more readily to textual than to topical treatment.