Dried Beans or Lentils as Vegetables

 "Put beans in pan and add cold water to cover - thyme - 1 onion with cloves (cut into 4 pieces), 1 bay leaf, and pepper and salt to taste. Add a little olive oil and mix. Let stand overnight. Cook for 1/2 hour if lentils, cook for 2 hours if beans. Ise water to make sound. Pan strain, chill and add onions or chives for salad. "

This is one of the weirdest recipes I have read to date. I am thinking the beans are not sting beans but some sort of dried beans. 

Why couldn't my relatives be more specific?