²⁵ Their fellow Levites in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day^(A) periods.

⁵ He commanded them, saying, “This is what you are to do: You who are in the three companies that are going on duty on the Sabbath^(A)—a third of you guarding the royal palace,^(B)

⁸ The Levites and all the men of Judah did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered.^(A) Each one took his men—those who were going on duty on the Sabbath and those who were going off duty—for Jehoiada the priest had not released any of the divisions.^(B)

⁷ and you who are in the other two companies that normally go off Sabbath duty are all to guard the temple for the king.