Królów I 19:16 Komentarz: Tze'enah Ure'enah & Rashi

“You should also anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi, etc.” [19:16]. You should make Jehu king over Israel and Elisha the son of Shaphat you should make a prophet in your stead. Since you desire to die, you must make another prophet.

Our sages say that Elijah spoke much evil against Israel because they had committed many sins. Therefore, the Holy One did not want to have Elijah as a prophet, and said that he should make Elisha a prophet. When Israel continued to commit sins, the Holy One did not want that one should speak ill against Israel, just like a father who covers the disgraces of his son.²Yalkut Shimoni, I Kings, Remez, 218.

You should anoint as prophet in your place. [God said,] “I do not want your prophecy, because you plead for the prosecution of My children.¹⁰Alternatively, “you should appoint another prophet in your place because you had asked to die, and for God to take your soul,” in v. 4 above.—Radak