Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 50:4

4 And when the dayes of his mourning were past, Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying, if now I have found grace in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh , saying,

The Houshold or Family, namely those of them which were chief in place and favour with the King.

Ioseph makes use of their intercession, either, 1. Lest he might seem to despise them or to presume too much upon his own single interest. Or, 2. By engaging them in this matter to stop their mouths, who otherwise might have been ready enough to censure this action, which they would have a fair opportunity to do in Iosephs absence. Or, 3. Because it was the custom here, as it was elsewhere, Est. 4. 2. that persons in mourning habit might not come into the Kings presence, partly because they would not give them any occasion of sadness, and partly because according to their superstitious conceits the sight of such a person was judged ominous.