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.