“ Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.”
He then called on Ahab to bring to Elijah on Mount Carmel ‘all Israel' (the assembly of Israel), together with the numerous prophets of Baal and Asherah who were being fed at Jezebel's table. This may well have been for a recognised festival which was regularly held there, for it is apparent later that both sides saw Mount Carmel as possessing a sanctuary.
We are reminded here that all nations and religions had their ‘prophets' who claimed to be inspired by their gods, often going into a state of ecstasy (1 Kings 18:28), although until the time of Ezekiel the outstanding true prophets of YHWH are presented as remarkably free from such ecstasy (contrast the ecstasy of the false prophet Zedekiah with the reasoned approach of Micaiah in 1 Kings 22:11-28). We should note, however, 1 Samuel 10:5, although their ecstasy was seen as the true work of the Spirit. However, as Deuteronomy 18:21-22 has pointed out, the test was as to whether what they proclaimed came true. Israel too had its share of false prophets (1 Kings 22:11; 1 Kings 22:24). But it also had bands of genuine prophets who held firmly to the truth of YHWH.
‘ So Ahab sent to all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together to mount Carmel.'
It is an indication of the awe in which King Ahab held Elijah that he did as he had bid him. The summons went out to all Israel to gather at the sanctuary on Mount Carmel, and all the prophets of Baal were commanded to be there. It was a further indication that in his heart he knew that Elijah could do something about the drought.
In what follows we gather that there was at Mount Carmel, a long mountain ridge stretching out into the sea, divided by many ravines, a true sanctuary dedicated to YHWH which had been allowed to fall into disuse. There was also there a sanctuary and altar of Baal which were flourishing, no doubt encouraged by Jezebel. Mount Carmel with its periodic rains and storms, which regularly included lightning, together with its abundant fruitfulness, would be very suitable as a site for Baal worship. (The lightning dancing around the hills is a spectacular feature of life in Palestine). It may have been partly this contrast in the sanctuaries that made Elijah choose Mount Carmel, for it was his purpose to illustrate the revival of Yahwism, and this site on the borders of Israel and Phoenicia, revered by all, was a good place to do it. There is also a good possibility that it was because he knew that the true prophets of YHWH were hiding in the caves there.