1 Kings 19:21

21 So Elisha left him and went back. He got his two oxen and killed them. He burned the plow to cook the meat. He gave it to the people, and they ate it. Then he started to follow Elijah. He became Elijah's assistant.

1 Kings 19:21 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 19:21

And he returned back from him
To his father's house, and took his leave, and then came back into the field, perhaps with others accompanying him:

and took a yoke of oxen and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the
instruments of the oxen:
their yokes, and the plough, with an addition of other things sufficient to boil them:

and gave unto the people, and they did eat;
the ploughmen and others that came together on this occasion; he made a feast for them, to express his joy at being called to such service he was:

then he arose and went after Elijah;
left his worldly employment, the riches he was heir to, his parents, and his friends, and followed the prophet:

and ministered unto him;
became his servant, whereby he attained to great knowledge and understanding of divine things, and was trained up to the prophetic office, which he was invested with upon the removal of Elijah; see ( Matthew 8:21 Matthew 8:22 ) ( 19:27 ) .

1 Kings 19:21 In-Context

19 Elijah left Mount Horeb. He saw Elisha, the son of Shaphat. Elisha was plowing in a field. He was driving the last of 12 pairs of oxen. Elijah went up to him. He threw his coat around him.

20 Then Elisha left his oxen. He ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said. "Then I'll come with you." "Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?"

21 So Elisha left him and went back. He got his two oxen and killed them. He burned the plow to cook the meat. He gave it to the people, and they ate it. Then he started to follow Elijah. He became Elijah's assistant.