So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.
The people - i:e., the representatives of the people stood before the mountain, on the plain of Esdraleon. The place was worthy of the greatness of the crisis, which was the greatest among many that have been signalized. Nature had there representatives from all her departments, to hear Yahweh's controversy with idolatrous man. Sea and river, and plain and mountain, great memories in the past, great occasions in the future-all made Esdraelon the fitting scene and platform of the momentous debate that Elijah made to resound thereon. From every point over that 100 square miles of surface those interested in the issue of this great argument could watch the descent of the fiery response anticipated (Drew's 'Scripture Lands,' pp. 178, 179). "Mount Carmel" is a bold, bluff promontory, which extends from the western coast of Palestine, at the Bay of Acre, for many miles eastward, to the central hills of Samaria. It is a long range, presenting many summits, and intersected by a number of small ravines. The spot where the contest took place is situated at the eastern extremity, which is also the higher point of the whole ridge. It is called el-Mohhraka, 'the Burning,' or 'the Burnt place.' No spot could have been better adapted for the thousands of Israel to have stood, drawn up on those gentle slopes. The rock shoots up in an almost perpendicular wall of more than 200 feet in height, on the side of the vale of Esdraelon. This wall made it visible over the whole plain, and from all the surrounding heights, where gazing multitudes would be stationed.