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Pentecost Season · Proper 8 · Year C

1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21

The Still Small Voice and the Call of Elisha

July 2, 2028

The Calling of Elisha, Jan Massys
The Calling of Elisha, Jan Massys, 1572Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp
In a wide Flemish landscape Elisha is at work behind his yoked oxen when the prophet Elijah strides up and casts his mantle over him.He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.Jan MassysAn Antwerp painter, son of Quinten Massys, who spent years in exile for his faith and painted elegant biblical and allegorical scenes.Royal Museum of Fine Arts, AntwerpThe Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, home of a great collection of Flemish painting.Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 9:51-62Lk 9:51-62
EpistleGal. 5:1, 13-25Gal 5:1, 13-25
Old Testament2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-142 Kgs 2:1-2, 6-14Alt. OT1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-211 Kgs 19:15-16, 19-21
PsalterPs. 77:1-2, 11-20Ps 77:1-2, 11-20Alt. PsalmPs. 16Ps 16

Overview & Insights

"And after the fire the sound of a low whisper." (1 Kings 19:12)

At Horeb the LORD passes by Elijah not in wind, earthquake, or fire but in a low whisper. God sends the prophet back with new commissions, and Elijah calls Elisha, who leaves his oxen to follow and serve him.

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Take it further: 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21Commentary on 1 Kgs 19:15-16, 19-21 Working Preacher

Reads Elisha's call as discipleship before it is prophetic office, anticipating the mantle's later role.

1 Kings 19 Commentary1 Kgs 19 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse notes on Elijah casting his mantle over Elisha at the plow.

1 Kings 19 Commentary1 Kgs 19 Commentary Precept Austin

A detailed evangelical verse-by-verse walk through the chapter.

1 Kings 19:19 Commentaries1 Kgs 19:19 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentators on Elisha's decisive break from his old life.

Background & Word Study

I Kings 19:15-21 Sefaria

The Hebrew text alongside translation.

1 Kings 19:19 Hebrew Interlinear1 Kgs 19:19 Hebrew Interlinear BibleHub

Shows the Hebrew word by word for the mantle scene.

The Church Fathers

1 Kings 19 Catena1 Kgs 19 Catena Catena

Patristic comments on Elijah's call of Elisha at the plow.

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