1 Kings 20:17

17 The young officers of the district governors went out first. Benhadad had sent men [to watch the city]. They informed him that some men had come out of Samaria.

1 Kings 20:17 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:17

And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out
first
From Samaria, before the 7000 did:

and Benhadad sent out;
of his pavilion, a messenger or messengers to his sentinels, to know what news, and how matters stood, whether Ahab had sent any message, signifying his compliance with his terms:

and they told him, saying, there are men come out of Samaria;
but upon what account they could not say.

1 Kings 20:17 In-Context

15 Ahab counted the young officers of the district governors. There were 232. After counting them, he counted all the Israelite soldiers. There were 7,000.

16 They attacked at noon, when Benhadad was in his tent getting drunk with the 32 kings who were his allies.

17 The young officers of the district governors went out first. Benhadad had sent men [to watch the city]. They informed him that some men had come out of Samaria.

18 He said, "Take them alive, whether they have come out to make peace or to fight."

19 The young officers of the district governors led an attack, and the troops followed them.