Why did David gather "chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand" in 2 Samuel 6:1?

Text in Focus

“David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.” (2 Samuel 6:1)

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Key Reasons David Assembled 30,000 Chosen Men

- To escort the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem with honor and national participation (2 Samuel 6:2; 1 Chronicles 13:1-4).

- To demonstrate the centrality of God’s presence to the new capital and to David’s reign (Psalm 132:13-14).

- To provide elite protection against potential Philistine or other hostile threats along the route (cf. 2 Samuel 5:17-25).

- To involve representatives from every tribe, symbolizing national unity under God’s kingship (Deuteronomy 12:5-7).

- To celebrate publicly with music, sacrifice, and worship, requiring a large, organized company (2 Samuel 6:5).

- To mirror—and redeem—the earlier tragedy where “Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers” when the Ark was captured (1 Samuel 4:10); this time 30,000 accompany a victorious restoration.