Elijah said to Elisha, "Please wait here, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.

Elijah said to him, "Elisha, please wait here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." He said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho.

Elijah said to him, "Please wait here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." He said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you." They both went on.

While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, "Behold, this disaster is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?"

Then they said one to another, "We aren't doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we keep silent. If we wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king's household."

Then take the vial of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, 'Thus says the LORD, "I have anointed you king over Israel."' Then open the door, flee, and do not wait."