After his covert extermination decree fails, the Egyptian ruler discovers that the Hebrew infants are not dying in masses. Realizing his plan has been thwarted, he summons the midwives for a harsh interrogation. This confrontation sets the furious wrath of a tyrant against the quiet heroism of the midwives. The king's summons came either because his spies reported the women's actions, or because he personally observed that the children were surviving [ביאור יש"ר, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He called them to the palace to issue a punishment or to lay the groundwork for his next cruel decree [העמק דבר]. Attempting to project royal terror, he spoke to them with a furious countenance, wielding his intimidating title as the king of Egypt. Yet, the midwives did not succumb to fear; they remained unbothered and treated him simply as an ordinary man [שפתי כהן].
During the interrogation, the king demands to know why they have done this thing. Commentators question why he accuses them of an active deed, rather than simply asking why they failed to execute his order. One perspective explains that in the eyes of a tyrant, the mere refusal to obey a command constitutes an active act of rebellion and outright treason [קאסוטו]. Because the midwives had not protested during their initial meeting, the king trusted them. Now, he is enraged that they dared to violate his decree, an offense for which he considered them worthy of death [ספורנו, שד"ל, אבן עזרא].
Other commentators suggest that the midwives did, in fact, take active measures. Rather than merely refraining from murder, they supplied the infants with food, water, and guidance to ensure their survival [ספורנו, קיצור בעל הטורים, אור החיים]. Although they attempted to conceal these efforts, Egyptian neighbors noticed them bringing supplies into the homes, leading the king to realize they were actively working to save the newborn boys [אור החיים]. Furthermore, the king knew the midwives would never commit outright murder with their own hands, as it violated the law and they would have refused immediately. His true grievance was that they actively risked their own lives to sustain the children, an action for which they could offer him no logical excuse [העמק דבר, מלבי"ם]. By willingly endangering themselves to sanctify God's name, the midwives demonstrated their profound reverence for God [נחל קדומים]. In his accusation, the king deliberately emphasized their active role in keeping the children alive, highlighting the severe nature of their defiance [אבן עזרא, שד"ל, קאסוטו].
Forced to defend themselves against this severe charge, the midwives offered an explanation. They claimed that the Hebrew women give birth independently, much like animals in the field, or that they act as their own midwives [צאינה וראינה]. This raises the question of why the midwives did not offer this convenient excuse during their very first meeting with the king. Initially, they chose to remain quiet to avoid arousing suspicion, feigning acceptance of the decree. Only now, under direct attack, did they explain that the perceptive Hebrew women had deduced the true purpose of the midwives' initial summons to the palace. Realizing the danger, the mothers simply stopped calling for the midwives and delivered their babies entirely on their own [תולדות יצחק].