דברי הימים א, פרק י״ב, פסוק כ״ה

The gathering at Hebron marked a historic shift for the nation, as tribes from across the land arrived to officially crown David as king. Among the massive crowds, the delegation sent by the tribe of Judah consisted of six thousand eight hundred men, fully equipped with combat gear and ready for battle [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Compared to the vast armies sent by the other tribes, the number of warriors from Judah was noticeably small. This contrast stems from the political reality of the time. The tribe of Judah had already accepted David as their king earlier in Hebron. Because their allegiance was already firmly established, there was no practical need for a massive turnout to validate his rule once again. In contrast, the rest of the tribes had maintained their loyalty to the house of Saul up until this moment. They were required to arrive in Hebron in large numbers to officially declare David as their new leader. Consequently, the smaller group of warriors from Judah attended the ceremony primarily to pay their respects and show honor to David [רש״י, מלבי״ם].

Despite their smaller numbers, the men of Judah who attended were of exceptional quality. They are understood to be an elite group, carefully chosen from the broader population specifically for this occasion. Alternatively, their characterization points to their physical readiness, highlighting a force of highly agile warriors who were quick and fully prepared for action [רש״י].