1 In the seventh year Jehoiada made a bold move. He made a pact with the officers of the units of hundreds: Azariah son of Jehoram, Ishmael son of Jehochanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zikri.
2 They traveled throughout Judah and assembled the Levites from all the cities of Judah, as well as the Israelite family leaders.They came to Jerusalem,
3 and the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the temple of God. Jehoiada said to them, “The king’s son will rule, just as the Lord promised David’s descendants.
4 This is what you must do. One third of you priests and Levites who are on duty during the Sabbath will guard the doors.
5 Another third of you will be stationed at the royal palace and still another third at the Foundation Gate. All the others will stand in the courtyards of the Lord’s temple.