Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Kings 18:20

"So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel." — 1 Kings 18:20 (ASV)

Local tradition places the site of Elijah’s sacrifice not on the highest point of the mountain (1,728 ft.), but at the southeastern extremity (1,600 ft.) of the ridge. At this location, a shapeless ruin of great hewn stones stands among thick bushes of dwarf oak near a perennial spring. The site is known to the Arabs as “El-Maharrakah,” which means “the burning” or “the sacrifice.” All the features of the location make it perfectly suited for the scene of the contest.