출애굽기 2:15 해설: Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Rashbam & Sforno

וישמע פרעה AND PHARAOH HEARD IT — they (Dathan and Abiram) slandered (denounced) him (Exodus Rabbah 1:31).

And settled in the land of Midian. The Midianites were subservient to Pharaoh, so Moshe chose to be a shepherd in order to keep his distance from the civilized areas, where he might be recognized. When Hashem told him that Pharaoh and all the people that sought his life had died (4:19), and at the same time his youngest son was born, he expressed his appreciation by naming him Eliezer: “The God of my father came to my aid and He saved me from the sword of Pharaoh” (18:4).

וישב בארץ מדין. A general description of the locality, followed by more details of why he settled there, i.e. his experience at the well. He had originally only stopped there for refreshment as do most travelers. The Torah follows this with the story of Yitro and his daughters.

ויבקש להרג את משה AND HE SOUGHT TO SLAY MOSES — He handed him over to the executioner to slay him, but the sword proved powerless against him. It is to this that Moses referred when he said, (18:4) “And He delivered me from Pharaoh’s sword” (see Mechilta יתרו and Exodus Rabbah 1:31).