1 Kings 18:20

20 So Ahab sent that message all through Israel. He gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel.

1 Kings 18:20 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 18:20

So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel
By messengers, requiring their attendance at Mount Carmel at such a time, at least their chief and principal men:

and gathered the prophets together unto Mount Carmel;
the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, but not the four hundred prophets of the groves; for of them we have no account afterwards, only of the former; it may be they were not at the command of Ahab, only of Jezebel, at whose table they ate, who would not suffer them to go.

1 Kings 18:20 In-Context

18 "I haven't made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have turned away from the LORD's commands. You have followed the gods that are named after Baal.

19 "Now send for people from all over Israel. Tell them to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the 450 prophets of the god Baal. Also bring the 400 prophets of the goddess Asherah. All of them eat at Jezebel's table."

20 So Ahab sent that message all through Israel. He gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel.

21 Elijah went there and stood in front of the people. He said, "How long will it take you to make up your minds? If the LORD is the one and only God, follow him. But if Baal is the one and only God, follow him." The people didn't say anything.

22 Then Elijah said to them, "I'm the only one of the LORD's prophets left. But Baal has 450 prophets.