'Skies' in the Bible

When the skies are shut and there is no rainbecause they have sinned against You,and they pray toward this placeand praise Your name,and they turn from their sinsbecause You are afflicting them,

"I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for a sacrificial temple to me. Whenever I close the skies so there is no rain, or whenever I command locusts to lay waste to the land, or whenever I send epidemics among my people,