Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Samuel 17:9

9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place : and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first , that whosoever heareth it, will say , There is a slaughter among the people that followeth Ab [illegible: 1+ letters]alom.

Having been oft accustomed to that course, and well acquainted with all hiding-places from Saul's time. In one of them, unknown to us, he will lurk with some of his chosen men, and lie in Ambush for us; and, when they see a fit opportunity, they will suddenly come forth and surprize some of our men, when they least expect it, and fall upon them with great fury, and probably will at first put them to flight.

To wit, of Absalom's men sent against David.

Implying, that their good success at first would mightily animate David's men to proceed vigorously in the fight, and intimidate Absalom's Army, and consequently would be both a presage and an occasion of their total defeat.

They who first hear these ill tidings will propagate it, and strike terror with it into the rest of the Army.

Marginal references: Heb. fallen.