Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 19:8

"Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king is sitting in the gate: and all the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his tent." — 2 Samuel 19:8 (ASV)

For Israel had fled. —Translate, but Israel fled; “Israel” being used here, as throughout this narrative (see 2 Samuel 16:15; 2 Samuel 16:18; 2 Samuel 17:5; 2 Samuel 17:14–15; 2 Samuel 17:24; 2 Samuel 17:26; 2 Samuel 18:6–7; 2 Samuel 18:16–17), for those who had espoused the cause of Absalom.