What is the significance of the fact that Pharaoh harnessed his chariot?
Rashi and Targum Yonasan: To teach us that he harnessed it himself, and not through his servants. 1
This was either a sign of hatred (See Ba'al ha'Turim to 14:5 [refer also to Bereishis 22:3:2:2]); or it was to encourage the army to join him.
How did Pharaoh succeed in convincing his army to following him?
Rashi: He reminded them that a. after being smitten with ten plagues, they had sent Yisrael away with all their money; b. he would lead them into battle 1 (unlike other kings, who tended to go into battle behind the troops), and c. would take an equal share of the booty with them, unlike other kings, who help themselves first to as much as they want). 2
Oznayim la'Torah: Pharaoh was a dictator, and had the power to force the army to follow him. However, by virtue of the steps he now took (see the preceding answer, 14:6:2:1), he motivated them to follow him willingly with the same enthusiasm as himself. 3 And that is why they all deserved to suffer the same fate as he, when the water of the Yam-Suf came crashing down on them.
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes: "He tied his chariot - [I.e., Pharaoh did so] himself." Why interpret this way?
Gur Aryeh: Otherwise, why would the Torah need to mention it? 1 (Rather, it tells us that Pharaoh demonstrated conduct unusual for a king.)
If Pharaoh got in the chariot and it moved, it goes without saying that someone must have tied it to the horse!
Rashi writes: "... And he took his nation with him - He persuaded them verbally." Why interpret this way?
Gur Aryeh: One does not physically "take" a person somewhere. The primary aspect of a human being is not his physical Guf, but rather his intellect (Da'as). To "take" someone else's Da'as, one must use persuasion and enticement. 1
Compare Rashi to Bereishis 2:15 and to Bereishis 16:3. Targum Onkelos as well, consistently uses the term "Devar" for bringing a person.
