Parallel
2 Samuel 17:9
Brenton's English Septuagint · Berean Standard Bible
For, behold, he is now hidden in one of the hills or in some [other] place: and it shall come to pass when he falls upon them at the beginning, that [some one] will certainly hear, and say, There has been a slaughter among the people that follow after Abessalom.
Surely by now he is hiding in a cave or some other location. If some of your troops fall first (note: Or If he should attack your troops first), whoever hears of it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’