So the king got up and sat in the gate, and all the people were told: “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” So they all came before the king. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled, each man to his home.
Soon after the messengers had brought the news of the defeat and death of Absalom to the court of Mahanaim, Joab and his victorious army followed, to grace the king's triumphs and receive his further orders. Now here we are told, I.
Commenting on 2 Samuel 19:1-8
Than the king arose, and sat in the gate,.... Of the city, a public place, where the inhabitants met on divers accounts at times, and where there were always people passing and repassing: and they told unto all the people; or it was reported to the soldiers particularly: saying, behold the king doth sit in the gate; has laid aside his mourning, appears in public...
the king arose, and sat in the gate--He appeared daily in the usual place for the hearing of causes. all the people came before the king--that is, the loyal natives who had been faithful to his government, and fought in his cause. Israel had fled--that is, the adherents of Absalom, who, on his defeat, had dispersed and saved themselves by flight.