As Elijah, divinely directed in seeking a successor, passed the field in which Elisha was plowing, he cast upon the 220 young man's shoulders the mantle of consecration. During the famine the family of Shaphat had become familiar with the work and mission of Elijah, and now the Spirit of God impressed Elisha's heart as to the meaning of the prophet's act. To him it was the signal that God had called him to be the successor of Elijah.

Elias blev vejledt af Gud, da han drog ud for at finde en efterfølger. Da han gik forbi den mark, hvor Elisa gik og pløjede, kastede han sin kappe over den unge mands skulder. Dette var tegnet på, at Elisa var indviet til sin nye gerning Sjafats familie var blevet bekendt med Elias arbejde og mission under hungersnøden, og nu gjorde Guds Ånd det klart for Elisa, hvad profetens handling betød. Han opfattede det som et tegn på, at Gud havde kaldet ham til at være Elias efterfølger.