1
In the seventh year the priest Jehoiada decided to make his move and worked out a strategy with certain influential officers in the army. He picked Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zicri as his associates.
2
They dispersed throughout Judah and called in the Levites from all the towns in Judah along with the heads of families. They met in Jerusalem.
3
The gathering met in The Temple of God. They made a covenant there in The Temple.
4
Now this is what you must do: A third of you priests and Levites who come on duty on the Sabbath are to be posted as security guards at the gates
5
another third will guard the palace; and the other third will guard the foundation gate. All the people will gather in the courtyards of The Temple of God.
6
No one may enter The Temple of God except the priests and designated Levites - they are permitted in because they've been consecrated, but all the people must do the work assigned them.
7
The Levites are to form a ring around the young king, weapons at the ready. Kill anyone who tries to break through your ranks. Your job is to stay with the king at all times and places, coming and going."
8
All the Levites and officers obeyed the orders of Jehoiada the priest. Each took charge of his men, both those who came on duty on the Sabbath and those who went off duty on the Sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest hadn't exempted any of them from duty.
9
Then the priest armed the officers with spears and the large and small shields originally belonging to King David that were stored in The Temple of God.
10
Well-armed, the guards took up their assigned positions for protecting the king, from one end of The Temple to the other, surrounding both Altar and Temple.