And the young officers of the district governors marched out first. Now Ben-hadad had sent out scouts, who reported to him, “Men are marching out of Samaria.”
The treaty between the besiegers and the besieged being broken off abruptly, we have here an account of the battle that ensued immediately. I. The Syrians, the besiegers, had their directions from a drunken king, who gave orders over his cups, as he was drinking (Kg1 20:12), drinking himself drunk (Kg1 20:16) with the kings in the pavilions, and this at noon.
Commenting on 1 Kings 20:12-21
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...
And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Benhadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out of Samaria. (h) That is, young men trained in the service of princes.