2 Kings 3:11
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
The description of Elisha as one who poured water on Elijah's hands means he served as Elijah's personal attendant in a lowly, humble duty. He was called from plowing with twelve yoke of oxen and the plough, and he left all, including a wealthy home where he was beloved, to follow Elijah without complaint into an uncertain life, giving himself entirely to God in obedience. His first work was willingly taking up little, small, commonplace duties with heartiness and thorough surrender of self, with no great work required at first, and he kept at that humble work until Elijah was to be translated.
That humble service was his training and discipline, in which he learned humility and service, proved faithful in little things, and with daily strengthening purpose prepared for the mission God had appointed him and became acquainted with the work in which he would afterward have a leading part. His service under a ruler taught him how to serve under God and proved he had traits of character that would endure test and trial, relying on God in every trying emergency despite the temptation of wealth and comfort and thoughts of the home he had left, and having put his hand to the plow he refused to turn back and proved true to his trust. Putting away pride and humbling the heart to do humble everyday work and anything the Lord directs qualifies a person to stand as a trusted representative laborer together with Christ fitted for larger things and greater responsibilities, and such humble willing service for the Master is as acceptable as the highest service and lies before everyone who claims to be a child of God. God wants men and women to give themselves entirely as Elisha did, even though their work may differ as Elijah's and Elisha's differed while both worked for the Lord.
The chapter to which the verse belongs presents tests of faith, teaching that God's people are to trust not in their own ability and strength but in what God can do for and through them, with their work and victory over the enemy depending on God's power. That test of faith will be repeated, with the certainty that such trust will realize God's power in the work, for the battle against the enemy is turned not by human strength but by the strength of the mighty General of armies working for His own name's glory. God is not to be limited as to how He will work, since He works in ways least expected and may act in unexpected ways.