Elisha had been with Elijah for what seenied like a long time. It began in the most dramatic way: Elijah lamenting that the people of Israel had all forsaken the covenant, everyone in Israel bowing the knee to false gods; Elijah complaining, "And I, even I only, am left." But the Lord God refused to let the prophet just hide out there in the wilderness. So Elijah was sent back to do battle against the idolatry of Israel and to anoint a new king. And Elijah was also given a successor who would be anointed to continue God’s struggle with a rebellious people. So Elijah found Elisha plowing in his father’s field and threw his mantle on the young man. And Elisha followed Elijah and ministered to him. Like a son and his father were these two prophets of the Lord.

But it was now coming to the ti…