14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left,y and now they are trying to kill me too.”

15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazaelz king over Aram. 16 Also, anointa Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elishab son of Shaphat from Abel Meholahc to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael,d and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.e 18 Yet I reservef seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissedg 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 cloakh around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,”i he said, “and then I will come with you.”

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

21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxenj and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.k