John Gill Commentary Exodus 1:17

"But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men-children alive." — Exodus 1:17 (ASV)

But the midwives feared God And therefore dared not take away the life of an human creature, which was contrary to the express law of God, (Genesis 9:6):

and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them knowing it was right to obey God rather than man, though ever so great, or in so exalted a station:

but saved the male children alive did not use any violence with them, by stifling them in the birth. The scheme was so barbarous and shocking, especially to the tender sex, to whom it was proposed, and so devoid of humanity, that one would think it should never enter into the heart of man.