devoted themselves to a greater Prophet, “left all and followed” the one who had chosen him.  He became Elijah’s constant companion and pupil and ministrant, until the great man’s departure.  He belonged to “the sons of the prophets,” among whom Elijah sojourned in his latter days,—­a community of young men, for the most part poor, and compelled to combine manual labor with theological studies.  Very few of these prophets seem to have been favored with especial gifts or messages from God, in the sense that Samuel and Elijah were.  They were teachers and preachers rather than prophets, performing duties not dissimilar to those of Franciscan friars in the Middle Ages.  They were ascetics like the monks, abstaining from wine and luxuries, as Samson and the Nazarites and Rechabites did.  Religious asceticism goes back to a period that we cannot trace.

After Elijah had gone from the scenes of his earthly labors, Elisha became a man of the city, and had a house in Samaria.  His dress was that of ordinary life, and he was bland in manners.  His nature, unlike that of Elijah, was gentle and affectionate.  He became a man of great influence, and was the friend of three kings.  Jehoshaphat consulted him in war; Joram sought his advice, and Benhadad in sickness sent to him to be healed, for he exercised miraculous powers.  He cured Naaman of leprosy and performed many wonderful deeds, chiefly beneficent in character.

Elisha took no part in the revolutions of the palace, but he anointed Jehu to be king over Israel, and predicted to Hazael his future elevation.  His chief business was as president of a school of the prophets.  His career as prophet lasted fifty-five years.  He lived to a good old age, and when he died, was buried with great pomp as a man of rank, in favor with the court, for it was through him that Jehu subsequently reigned.  During the life of Elijah, however, Elisha was his companion and coadjutor.  More is said in Jewish history of Elisha than of Elijah, though the former was not so lofty and original a character as the latter.  We are told that though Elisha inherited the mantle of his master, he received only two-thirds of his master’s spirit.  But he was regarded as a great prophet for over fifty years, even beyond the limits of Israel.  Unlike Elijah, Elisha preferred the companionship of men rather than life in a desert.  He fixed his residence in Samaria, and was highly honored and revered by all classes; he exercised a great influence on the king of Israel, and carried on the work which Elijah began.  He was statesman as well as prophet, and the trusted adviser of the king; but his distinguished career did not begin till after Elijah had ascended to heaven.

After the consecration of Elisha there is nothing said about Elijah for some years, during which Ahab was involved in war with Benhadad, king of Damascus.  After that unfortunate contest it would seem that Ahab had resigned himself to pleasure, and amused himself with his gardens at Jezreel.  During this time Elijah had probably lived in retirement; but was again summoned to declare the judgment of God on Ahab for a most atrocious murder.