They argued , and Elijah told Ahab to `` summon the people from all over Israel '' to meet him on the Mount Carmel , and to `` bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah , who eat at Jezebel 's table '' . Ahab allowed the worship of a foreign god within the palace , building a temple for Baal and allowing Jezebel to bring a large entourage of priests and prophets of Baal and Asherah into the country . It is in this context that Elijah is introduced in as Elijah `` The Tishbite '' .