1 Kings 20:17

17 Then the servants of the commanders of the provinces went out first, and Ben-Hadad sent, and they reported to him, saying, "Men have come out from 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 So he mustered the servants of the commanders of the provinces, and there were two hundred and thirty-two. After them he mustered all of the army, all the sons of Israel, seven thousand.

16 They went out at noon while Ben-Hadad [was] drinking [himself] drunk in the tents, he and the thirty-two kings helping him.

17 Then the servants of the commanders of the provinces went out first, and Ben-Hadad sent, and they reported to him, saying, "Men have come out from Samaria."

18 Then he said, "If they have come out for peace, seize them alive; and if they have come out for war, seize them alive."

19 But these had come out from the city, the servants of the commanders of the provinces, and the army that [was] after them.