The strategic deployment — 'This is what you shall do: of you priests and Levites who come off duty on the Sabbath, one third shall be gatekeepers, one third shall be at the king\'s house, and one third shall be at the Gate of the Foundation; and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD' (זֶה־הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשׂוּ שְׁלִשִׁית מִכֶּם הַכֹּהֲנִים וְהַלְּוִיִּם בַּשַּׁבָּת). Jehoiada's strategy divides the priests and Levites into three parts: gatekeepers (שׁומרי הסף), those at the king's house (בית המלך), and those at the Gate of the Foundation (שׁער היסוד). The specific numbers and positions suggest a detailed military plan for the coup. The phrase 'all the people shall be in the courts' (וכל העם בחצרות) indicates that the public assembly provides the appearance of legitimacy and mass support. The Sabbath timing (שׁבת) has cultic significance — the coup occurs during holy day, when the temple is most active.

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