Matthew Henry Commentary Exodus 14:1-9

"And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal-zephon: over against it shall ye encamp by the sea. And Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh`s heart, and he shall follow after them; and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host: and the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah. And they did so. And it was told the king of Egypt that the people were fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed towards the people, and they said, What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us? And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: and he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over all of them. And Jehovah hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: for the children of Israel went out with a high hand. And the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses [and] chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baal-zephon." — Exodus 14:1-9 (ASV)

Pharaoh would think that all Israel was entangled in the wilderness and so would become easy prey. But God says, I will be honoured upon Pharaoh.

All people are made for the honor of their Maker; for those by whom He is not honored, He will be honored upon them. What seems to tend to the church's ruin is often overruled to the ruin of the church's enemies.

While Pharaoh gratified his malice and revenge, he only furthered God's counsels concerning him. Although he had let Israel go for the strongest reasons, he was now angry with himself for it. God makes the envy and rage of people against His people a torment to themselves.

Those who set their faces heavenward and will live godly in Christ Jesus must expect to be assailed by Satan's temptations and terrors. He will not tamely let anyone go from his service.