Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of the people fall at the first attack, that whosoever hears it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
Read Chapter 17
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
First. Hebrew, "If they attack them at first. "(Calmet)
Report will easily represent the engagement as unfavourable to Absalom; and this will be readily believed, as all are convinced of David's valour. (Haydock)
Nothing ought to be risked in such beginnings. (Calmet)