מלכים א, פרק י״ח, פסוק כ׳

As the great confrontation on Mount Carmel approaches, King Ahab yields to Elijah's demand and summons the participants for a dramatic test of faith. A stark contrast emerges in how the different groups arrive at the mountain. When Ahab sends out the call, the Israelites arrive entirely on their own. They come of their own free will, stepping forward the moment they hear about the upcoming trial.

The false prophets of Baal, however, have to be gathered by force. Knowing full well that their beliefs are false, they are terrified of the impending showdown and must be brought to the mountain against their will. Furthermore, Ahab only succeeds in bringing the prophets of Baal to the gathering, while the prophets of Asherah are notably absent. Queen Jezebel, who provides for these prophets and feeds them at her own table, extends her royal protection over them. She refuses to let Ahab force them into participating in the contest [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].