Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 18:17

"And they took Absalom, and cast him into the great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones: and all Israel fled every one to his tent." — 2 Samuel 18:17 (ASV)

Every one to his tent. —An expression derived from the life in the wilderness, and meaning every one to his home. (Joshua 22:4–8; 1 Samuel 13:2; 2 Samuel 19:8; 2 Samuel 20:1; 2 Samuel 20:22.)