The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.
God chose the longer wilderness route, not the shorter northern path. Before Israel entered battle with enemies, their covenant with God had to be settled in solitude: laws given, ordinances instituted, the original contract ratified. The high road was no fit place for such crowded, solemn transactions.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 13:17-22
He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day,.... It always appeared in the daytime, and was a guide and shelter: nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people; this continued till they came through the wilderness to the borders of the land of Canaan, when they needed it no longer, and then it left them; for when they passed...
He took not away the pillar of the cloud - Neither Jews nor Gentiles are agreed how long the cloud continued with the Israelites. It is very probable that it first visited them at Succoth, if it did not accompany them from Rameses; and that it continued with them till they came to the river Jordan, to pass over opposite to Jericho, for after that...