And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said. (Exodus 12:31)
The “cry” of the people had no doubt been heard in the palace, and the king was aware of the popular demand that the Israelites be sent out of the land. The entire country now suffered to the limit of endurance because of the stubbornness of its monarch. Realizing that he must act at once in order to avert more severe judgments, Pharaoh sent his chief officers (see ch. 11:8) while it was still night to summon the hated leaders of the Hebrews, whom he had refused to see again (ch. 10:28).