For several years after the call of Elisha, Elijah and Elisha labored together, the younger man daily gaining greater preparedness for his work. Elijah had been God's instrument for the overthrow of gigantic evils. The idolatry which, supported by Ahab and the heathen Jezebel, had seduced the nation, had been given a decided check. Baal's prophets had been slain. The whole people of Israel had been deeply stirred, and many were returning to the worship of God. As Elijah's successor, Elisha, by careful, patient instruction, must endeavor to guide Israel in safe paths. His association with Elijah, the greatest prophet since the days of Moses, prepared him for the work that he was soon to take up alone.

Elias og Elisa arbejdede sammen i mange år efter Elisas kaldelse. Den unge mand blev bedre skikket til sin gerning for hver dag, der gik. Gud havde brugt Elias til at bekæmpe kolossale onder. Afgudsdyrkelsen, som med Akabs og den hedenske Jesabels støtte havde ført hele folket på vildspor, havde fået et grundskud. Baals profeter var blevet dræbt. Disse begivenheder havde gjort et dybt indtryk på hele Israels folk, og mange var atter begyndt at tjene Gud. Elias efterfølger, Elisa, skulle bestræbe sig på at lede Israel fremad på den rette vej ved at undervise folket omhyggeligt og tålmodigt. Ved samarbejdet med Elias, som var den største profet siden Moses tid, forberedtes han til den gerning, som han snart skulle varetage alene.