Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand. (1 Kings 20:15)
The prophet had given directions and the king obeyed. “Young men” is here probably used as a technical military term. These may have been select shock troops, well trained and well armed, under the command of provincial officers.
Seven thousand.
This was probably the extent of Israel’s standing military force. At Qarqar, Ahab is reported to have had 10,000 infantrymen.