What does 1 Samuel 31:8 mean?

When the Israelites on the other side of the valley and across the Jordan saw the army had fled and Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and ran. The Philistines moved in and took over. 1 Samuel 31:8 - Modern Text Bible

(The news of Saul’s death causes panic. People flee their homes, and the enemy takes over their land.)