John Calvin Commentary Joshua 24:1

"And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God." — Joshua 24:1 (ASV)

And Joshua gathered all the tribes, etc. He now, in my opinion, explains more fully what he previously related more briefly. For it would not have been suitable to bring the people out twice to an unfamiliar place for the same reason. Therefore, by this repetition, the course of the narrative is continued.

And he now states what he had not previously observed: that they were all standing before the Lord, an expression which indicates the more sacred dignity and solemnity of the meeting. I have accordingly introduced the expletive particle Therefore, to indicate that the narrative which had begun now proceeds.

For there can be no doubt that Joshua, in a regular and solemn manner, invoked the name of Jehovah and, as in His presence, addressed the people. This was so that each might consider for himself that God was presiding over all that was done, and that they were not engaged in a private business, but were confirming a sacred and inviolable compact with God Himself. We may add, as is observed shortly after, that His sanctuary was there.

Therefore, it is probable that the ark of the covenant was carried there, not with the intention of changing its place, but so that in such a serious action they might present themselves before the earthly tribunal of God. For there was no religious obligation forbidding the ark to be moved, and the location of Shechem was not far away.