2 Samuel 19:3

3 And the people shunned the going into the city that day as a people would do that hath turned their backs, and fled away from the battle.

2 Samuel 19:3 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 19:3

And the people got them by stealth that day into the city
Did not march into it in companies, in a public and triumphant manner, as conquerors used to do; but entered in a private manner, one by one, or a very few together, not caring to be seen or known, at least by the king, as fearing they had incurred his displeasure: but

as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle;
as if they had been conquered, and not conquerors; nay, had acted a cowardly part, and ran away; and so cared not to be seen, lest they should be reproached, or suffer for their cowardice.

2 Samuel 19:3 In-Context

1 And it was told Joab, that the king wept and mourned for his son:

2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day: The king grieveth for his son.

3 And the people shunned the going into the city that day as a people would do that hath turned their backs, and fled away from the battle.

4 And the king covered his head, and cried with a loud voice: O my son Absalom, O Absalom my son, O my son.

5 Then Joab going into the house to the king, said: Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, that have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons, and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines.