Exodus 14:5

It was told the king of Egypt, that the people fled— That is, were flying away, and wholly removing out of the land. It appears from the whole tenor of the history, that Pharaoh never intended absolutely to part with the Israelites; and his disposition was such, that he never regarded his word or promise when the hand of punishment was removed from him: but now, perceiving that the Israelites were about to depart wholly from his kingdom, and the angel having ceased to destroy the first-born, he returns to his old temper, and, accordingly, meets the destruction which he so justly deserved.