Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Kings 18:22-24

"Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, am left a prophet of Jehovah; but Baal`s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under; and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under. And call ye on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Jehovah; and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken." — 1 Kings 18:22-24 (ASV)

And the Baalite priests could not refuse the challenge. For they worshipped the sun-god – the god of fire; and if he could not answer the sun-worshippers, he must be no God at all.