Now therefore send, to wit, messengers, that this controversy between thee and me may be decided, the true cause of these heavy judgments discovered and removed, that so this plague may be removed. Gather to me all Israel, by their deputies, or heads, or representatives, that they may be witnesses of all our transactions. Unto Mount Carmel; not that Carmel in Judah, 1 Samuel 15:12, but another in Issachar by the midland sea, Joshua 19:26 Jeremiah 46:18; which he chose as a very convenient place, being not far from the centre of his kingdom, to which all the tribes might conveniently resort; and at some good distance from Samaria, that Jezebel might not hinder his design; and a very high mountain, Amos 9:3, and that upon the sea, whence he might have the opportunity to discover the rain at its first approach, which he did, 1 Kings 18:42, &c. And the prophets of Baal; which were dispersed in all the parts of the kingdom. The prophets of the groves; which attended upon those Baals or idols which were worshipped in the groves, which were near the royal city, and much valued and frequented by the king and the queen, 1 Kings 15:13, 1 Kings 16:33 2 Kings 13:6, and therefore were maintained at the queen's charges.
Related Commentaries of 1 Kings 18:19
1 Kings 18:19
19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.