1 Kings 19:20

20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee." And he said unto him, "Go back again, for what have I done to thee?"

1 Kings 19:20 Meaning and 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 ( Ruth 1:9 Ruth 1:14 )

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:

for what have I done to thee?
he had only cast the skirts of his mantle over him, and had said nothing to him; this he said to try him, and get out of him what was in his heart, and how it had been touched by the Spirit of God; and if so, then he suggests it was not what he had done, but what the Lord had impressed upon him, that would oblige him to return, and follow him, after he had taken his leave of his parents.

1 Kings 19:20 In-Context

18 Yet I have left Me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."

19 So he departed from thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth; and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him.

20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, "Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee." And he said unto him, "Go back again, for what have I done to thee?"

21 And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slew them and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.