When Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a trial by fire, he gathered the Israelites to Mount Carmel to witness the outcome. See I Kings 18:19-39. Ahab, the king, had married Jezebel, a foreigner, who brought to Israel the worship of strange gods. She also slew the prophets of God and turned the people away from true worship.
Elijah, the prophet of Israel, challenged the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal to choose one bullock for themselves and one for him. He then stipulated there be no fire under either offering. The prophets of Baal were to pray to their deity, and Elijah would pray to God. Proof that the prayer was heard would be an answer by fire.
The prophets of Baal prayed, shouted, and performed various rituals to prevail on Baal to meet the challenge. But nothing happened.
