²³ So it was, as soon as ^(A)the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house.

²⁵ And their brethren in their villages had to come with them from time to time ^(A)for seven days.

⁵ Then he commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall do: One-third of you who ^[a]come on duty ^(A)on the Sabbath shall be keeping watch over the king’s house, ⁶ one-third shall be at the gate of Sur, and one-third at the gate behind the escorts. You shall keep the watch of the house, lest it be broken down. ⁷ The two ^[b]contingents of you who go off duty on the Sabbath shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord for the king.