Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Kings 8:1

"Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers` [houses] of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the city of David, which is Zion." — 1 Kings 8:1 (ASV)

There seems to be a contrast here between the more popular proceedings of David (2 Samuel 6:1) and the statelier system of his son, who merely summons the leaders as representatives of the nation. The rest of the people assembled themselves (1 Kings 8:2) and were merely spectators of the solemnity.