2 Chronicles 23:1-11

Jehoiada Makes Joash King

^aNow in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took commanders of hundreds: Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Johanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, and they entered into a covenant with him. 2 And they went around Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, and the heads of the fathers’ households of ^aIsrael, and they came to Jerusalem. 3 Then all the assembly cut a covenant with the king in the house of God. And ¹Jehoiada said to them, “Behold, the king’s son shall reign, ^aas Yahweh has spoken concerning the sons of David. 4 This is the thing which you shall do: one-third of you, of the priests and Levites ^awho come in on the sabbath, shall be gatekeepers at the thresholds, 5 and one-third shall be at the king’s house, and one-third at the Gate of the Foundation; and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of Yahweh. 6 But let no one enter the house of Yahweh except the priests and ^athe ministering Levites; they may enter, for they are holy. And let all the people keep the charge of Yahweh. 7 And the Levites will surround the king, each man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever enters the house, let him be put to death. And be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out.”
8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath, with those who were to go out on the sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest did not dismiss any of ^athe divisions. 9 Then Jehoiada the priest gave to the commanders of hundreds the spears and the shields and small shields which had been King David’s, which were in the house of God. 10 And he caused all the people to stand, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right ¹side of the house to the left ¹side of the house, by the altar and by the house, around the king. 11 Then they brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him, and gave him ^athe testimony and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and said, “^bLong live the king!”