We find the record of Elisha's own deliverance in 1 Kings 19:19-2119So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. 20And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? 21And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. (1 Kings 19:19‑21). Elisha had been "plowing with twelve yoke of oxen... and he with the twelfth." This would indicate the end of the dispensation of law. "Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him," showing that he was to be his successor.
"He left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee." Elijah tests him: "Go back again: for what have I done to thee?" The issues of the kingdom of God are paramount, for "he that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me." Matt. 10:3737He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:37). To return to the old order of life even with the natural affections would not do if he were to follow Elijah, a type of Christ. There must be a clear break.
After this rebuke Elisha returned, not to kiss his father and mother, but to the oxen and he "slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat." By so doing he removed every trace of his former life and occupation. "Then he arose, and went after Elijah," taking a low place to minister to him.
In this illustration, salvation and deliverance are seen as one. Putting the hand to the plow is repentance-looking back is backsliding and in the end apostasy. As Jesus said to the man in Luke 9 who said he would follow Him: "No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." We all fail, but with Elisha we see a course, a manner of life completely changed. He received deliverance, which is true of all God's people. The understanding of it, with us, may come some time after salvation, but if we are real we have it.