John Gill Commentary 1 Kings 20:17

"And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first; and Ben-hadad sent out, and they told him, saying, There are men come out from Samaria." — 1 Kings 20:17 (ASV)

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.