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After the Mount Carmel Victory: When the Rain Fell Down
The Verse:
I Kings 19: 19 So Elijah left there and found Elisha, son of Shaphat. He was plowing a field with a team of oxen. There were eleven teams ahead of him. Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team of oxen. Elijah took off his coat and put it on Elisha.
(ICB Version)
The Story:
Elijah ran for his life into the wilderness. Jezebel, the evil queen of Israel, threatened to kill him after his Mount Carmel victory. You know the one where he called down fire from heaven and then killed 450 false prophets.
God met Elijah in the wilderness. Elijah told the Lord he’d had enough. He couldn’t find the strength to fight against Ahab and Jezebel anymore. He asked the Lord to take him to heaven. What Elijah really needed was some sleep.
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So God took care of Elijah for 40 days. Then God spoke in a still small voice, “What are you doing here, Elijah? Go.” God had a friend named Elisha waiting for him at Abel Meholah.
Elisha was plowing a field with a yoke of oxen when Elijah threw his coat on him. Elisha was eager to follow Elijah. But first he took the yoke from his oxen and built a fire from the wood. He fed the people with the meat of the oxen he had cooked over the fire.
Elisha became Elijah’s closest friend and ministered to him. Together, they prophesied God’s judgement against the evil kings of Israel. They turned the hearts of the people back to the one true God through many miracles.
Now it was time for God to take Elijah to heaven by a whirlwind. God told Elijah to go through Bethel and Jericho on his way to the Jordan. Elijah told Elisha he would take the journey alone. But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you live, I won’t leave you.” So they went together to the Jordan.
When they crossed the Jordon, Elijah said, “What can I do for you before I am taken from you?”
Elisha said, “Leave me a double share of your spirit.”
Elijah said, “You have asked a hard thing. But if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours. If you don’t, it won’t happen.”
Chariots of fire appeared with horses of fire. They separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up in a whirlwind.
Elisha saw it, and shouted, “My father! My father! The chariots of Israel and their horsemen!”
Elijah’s coat fell on Elisha, and he received a double share of Elijah’s spirit.
God brought Elisha to Elijah during a lonely time in his life. Have you ever felt lonely and needed a friend? Or maybe you know someone who needs a friend. We can learn from Elisha how to be a friend.
A friend is faithful. They stick by us no matter what and keep our secrets!
A friend is prayerful. They remember to pray for us!
A friend is sympathetic. They listen when we need someone to talk to! And they understand! They get us!
Did you know?
Abel Meholah means “meadow of dancing!” A trusted friend is like a meadow of dancing.
Retelling of the story of Elijah and Elisha from I Kings 19 through 2 Kings 2