1)

From when are the three years counted?

1.

Radak: It is from when the rain stopped.

2)

Why did Hashem want to give rain now?

1.

Radak: Due to the famine, many had repented and improved their ways. Also, there were 7,000 in Yisrael who had not bowed to the Ba'al.

2.

Malbim (from Sanhedrin 113a): In order to get the key of Techiyas ha'Mesim, Eliyahu had to return the key of rain to Hashem.

3.

Malbim: Until now, Eliyahu had stopped influence from Above, and could not bring [rain, which gives] life. Now he reversed and brought influence of life to revive the child, so he could bring also rain.

3)

Why must Eliyahu see Achav in order that rain will come?

1.

Malbim: After the rivers dried, [water vapor did not ascend from the ground, so] rain would not come naturally, only via Hashgachah. This will come only with Teshuvah from idolatry 1 .


1

Hashem's words imply that rain will come in any case! Perhaps He said so because He knew that they will repent. (PF)

4)

Eliyahu swore that also dew will be withheld (17:1). Why should he promise to return only rain?

1.

Ta'anis 3a-b: Dew was not totally withheld, only dew of Brachah. Eliyahu did not mention that he will return also dew, for Achav could claim that it was never withheld (Rashi 3b)!

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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