Matthew Poole and continuators on Joshua 24:1

AND Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem , and called for the elders of Israel, and for the heads, and for the judges, and for their officers, and they presented themselves before God .

To wit, by their Representatives, as Ios. 23. 2.

Either 1. To Shiloh, where the Ark and Tabernacle was; because they are here said to present themselves before God; and because the Stone set up here is said to be set up in or by the Sanctuary of the Lord; of both which I shall speak in their proper places. And they say Shilob is here called Shechem, because it was in the Territory of Shechem; but that may be doubted, seeing Shiloh was Ten Miles distant from Shechem, as S. Ierom affirms. And had he meant Shiloh, why should he not express it in its known and proper name, by which it is called in all other places, rather than by another name no where else given to it? Or rather, 2. To the City of Shechem, a place convenient for the present purpose, not only because it was a Levitical City, and a City of Refuge, and a place near to Ioshua's City, but especially for the two main ends for which he summoned them thither, 1. For the solemn Burial of the Bones of Ioseph, as is implyed here v. 32. and of the rest of the Patriarchs, as is noted Act. 7. 15, 16. for which this place was designed. 2. For the solemn renewing of their Covenant with God; which in this place was first made between God and Abraham, Gen. 12. 6, 7. and afterwards was there renewed by the Israelites at their first entrance into the Land of Canaan, between the two mountains of Ebal and Gerizim, Jos. 8. 30, &c. which were very near Shechem, as appears from Iudg. 9. 6, 7. and therefore this place was most proper, both to remind them of their former obligations to God, and to engage them to a farther ratification of them.

Either 1. Before the Ark or Tabernacle, as that Phrase is commonly used; which might be either in Shiloh, where they were fixed; or in Shechem, whether the Ark was brought upon this great occasion, as it was sometimes removed upon such occasions, as 1 Sam. 4. 3. 2 Sam. 15. 24. Or 2. In that Publick, and Venerable, and Sacred Assembly met together for Religious Exercises; for in such God is present, Exod. 20. 24. Psal. 82. 1. Ma[illegible: 1+ letters]. 18. 20. Or 3. As in Gods Presence, to hear what Ioshua was to speak to them in Gods Name, and to receive Gods Commands from his mouth. Thus Isaac is said to Bless Jacob before the Lord, i. e. in his Name and Presence, Gen. 27. 7. and Ieptha is said to utter all his words before the Lord in Mizpeh, i. e. as in Gods Presence, calling him in to be Witness of them.