Commentaire sur Rois 1 18:37

Answer me, Adonoy, answer me. Answer me with fire, answer me with rain.²⁰Rashi is explaining why he said “ענני” twi ce. So did [Targum] Yonoson render this. But our Rabbis said, “Answer me with fire, (and water) answer me so that they do not say that this deed was accomplished by sorcery.”²¹Maseches Berachos 9b. ²²Alternatively, it is not unusual for one who prays to repeat his request.—Radak

[And this people] will know that You are Adonoy. And I am Your servant, and when You will send me to bring them tidings [of the redemption] that is forthcoming, they will believe me, if You will answer me today.

And You have turned their hearts away. You gave them an opportunity to turn away from following You, although You could have directed their hearts toward You.²³See Maseches Berachos 31b. Alternatively, “You misled them by occasionally allowing their idolatrous prayers to be effective.”—Ralbag Or, Eliyahu is referring to the future and is saying, “When You answer my prayer and send down fire, You will have turned their hearts away from the Baal and back to You.”—Radak in the name of Rav Sa’adyah Gaon And according to Midrash Aggadah, if You do not answer me, I will deny and say that You turned their hearts. And so did Moshe say, “If as all men die will these men meet their death,”²⁴Bamidbar 16:29. I, too, will deny and say, “then Adonoy has not sent me,”²⁵Ibid. to speak [the words of] the Torah and the commandments, and so did Michoyhu say, “If you really return in peace, Adonoy did not speak to me.”²⁶Below 22:28.