The Audience or the Trial by Fire

Elijah sets up the audience, the trial, and lays down the terms of it. Ahab is to summon all Israel, all leaders, the elders, all the prophets of Baal and the prophets of the groves, to Mount Carmel. This is a royal summons. First to Ahab then to the prophets of Baal then to the men of Israel, the King of kings through his throne man Elijah summons them to the hearing, to the audience, before the King of kings.