David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
We have not heard a word of the ark since it was lodged in Kirjath-jearim, immediately after its return out of its captivity among the Philistines (Sa1 7:1, Sa1 7:2), except that, once, Saul called for it, Sa1 14:18. That which in former days had made so great a figure is now thrown aside, as a neglected thing, for many years.
Commenting on 2 Samuel 6:1-5
Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. Which was done by the advice of his officers, Ch1 13:1; the word "again" refers either to the gathering of them when they made him king in Hebron, as the Jewish writers generally observe; but then they gathered themselves, and not David: or rather to his gathering them to fight the Philistines a...
And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer. (h) Which was in the tribe of Benjamin, but the Philistines possessed it.