Parallel
2 Samuel 17:9
Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Berean Standard Bible
Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some place; and it will come to pass, when they fall upon them at the first, and whosoever heareth it shall say: There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom;
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.’