Early on the morning of the day appointed, the hosts of apostate Israel, in eager expectancy, gather near the top of the mountain. Jezebel's prophets march up in imposing array. In regal pomp the king appears and takes his position at the head of the priests, and the idolaters shout his welcome. But there is apprehension in the hearts of the priests as they remember that at the word of the prophet the land of Israel for three years and a half has been destitute of dew and rain. Some fearful crisis is at hand, they feel sure. The gods in whom they have trusted have been unable to prove Elijah a false prophet. To their frantic cries, their 147 prayers, their tears, their humiliation, their revolting ceremonies, their costly and ceaseless sacrifices, the objects of their worship have been strangely indifferent.

Tidligt om morgenen på den fastsatte dag samles det frafaldne Israels hærskare nær ved bjergets top. Der er spændt forventning. Jesabels profeter kommer marcherende i en imponerende procession. Kongen ankommer i hele sit skrud og tager plads i spidsen for præsterne. Han bydes velkommen af afgudsdyrkernes hyldestråb. Men inderst inde er præsterne ængstelige; de har ikke glemt, at det skyldes profetens ord, at der ikke er faldet dug eller regn i Israels land i tre og et halvt år. De er overbevist om, at der snart vil ske noget frygteligt. De guder, som de har stolet på, har ikke kunnet bevise, at Elias er en falsk profet, og de genstande, som de har tilbedt, har forholdt sig besynderligt ligegyldige over for deres heftige råb, bønner, tårer, ydmygelse, oprørernde ceremonier og kostbare og uophørlige ofre.