The mentoring relationship which the fiery prophet Elijah had with his successor Elisha is well known, especially the events surrounding the transfer of a double portion of the Spirit;s anointing on Elijah to Elisha. The Lord spoke to Elijah telling him to anoint Elisha "as a prophet in your place" (1 Kings 19:16). So Elijah went and looked for Elisha and when he found him, "Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him" (vs 19). Elisha understood the significance of what the prophet had done.
After taking care of some final duties "he arose and followed Elijah and became his servant" (vs 21). Elisha was no doubt aware of his calling to be a prophet who would one day take Elijah's place. When the time had come for Elijah to be taken away into heaven by a whirlwind, Elisha would not let go of his master. He followed him from Gilgal, to Bethel, to Jericho and across Jordan, even when Elijah requested him to stay back.
Perhaps it finally occurred to Elijah that his servant is "after" something. So after they had crossed over the river Jordan, "Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?" Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit come upon me". Elisha wanted a twice the measure of the prophetic anointing that rested upon Elijah.
Once Elijah had been caught up into heaven in chariots of fire, and Elisha returned with the mantle of Elijah, the sons of the prophets said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha". As one examines the ministry of Elisha we observe that indeed there are twice as many miracles recorded through his ministry than that of his predecessor Elijah.
Through this account we understand that the prophetic anointing can be transferred from one prophet to another who is also called to be a prophet. While it is God who calls, appoints and anoints prophets, He may choose to use human agency to train, impart and activate the prophetic one who is called to be a prophet.
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