17 And it came to pass when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, Is it thou, the troubler of Israel? 18 And he said, I have not troubled Israel, but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of Jehovah, and thou hast followed the Baals. 19 And now send, gather to me all Israel to mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the Asherah four hundred, who eat at Jezebel's table.

The Contest on Mount Carmel

20 So Ahab sent to all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 18:17-20

Commentary on 1 Kings 18:17-20

(Read 1 Kings 18:17-20)

One may guess how people stand affected to God, by observing how they stand affected to his people and ministers. It has been the lot of the best and most useful men, like Elijah, to be called and counted the troublers of the land. But those who cause God's judgments do the mischief, not he that foretells them, and warns the nation to repent.