And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
Took a yoke of oxen - i:e., not above three years of age (1 Kings 1:9; Proverbs 15:17; Proverbs 22:13), either stall-fed or taken fresh from the pastures (1 Kings 4:23). Such a large preparation of animal food was reserved for festive occasions, and all the friends and domestics partook in succession of the viands. Having hastily prepared (2 Samuel 24:22) a farewell entertainment to his family and friends, he left his native place, and attached himself to Elijah as his minister х wayªshwarªteehuw (H8334), and waited upon, attended him (2 Kings 3:11), as Joshua did to Moses (Joshua 1:1)]. According to Josephus, he at once received the prophetic afflatus, and commenced prophesying ('Antiquities,' b. 8:, ch. 13:, sec. 7).