What did he have to say?

[Unregistered]

Dear teachers.

I'd like to know the difference between (1) and (2).
1. What did he say?
2. What did he have to say?

I'd like to know which is natural, 1 or 2?

(His wife answered the phone)
He: Who was that?
His wife: That was our son.
He: 1. Oh, really? What did he say?
2. Oh, really? What did he have to say?

Thank you in advance.

[Marylin]

Dear teachers.

I'd like to know the difference between (1) and (2).
1. What did he say?
2. What did he have to say?

I'd like to know which is natural, 1 or 2?

(His wife answered the phone)
He: Who was that?
His wife: That was our son.
He: 1. Oh, really? What did he say?
2. Oh, really? What did he have to say?

Thank you in advance.

I would go with #1.

I would use #2 if they were expecting to hear some explanation from him, some kind of justification or maybe just addressing an issue they have already discussed previously.