“Long Live the King!”

(2 Chron. 23:1f. Poetized)

Jehoiada said, “Long live the king!” And the captain made a covenant with him. Gathered those Levites from the cities of Judah And arrived at Jerusalem. “Behold, the king’s son shall reign!” (3) Said Jehoiada with a lot of glee. “As the Lord has spoken of the sons of David!” So he gave a special task to the Levites: A third were made “gate keepers.” Another third stuck around the king’s house, And the last third were at the very gate! (Talkin’ ’bout the “Gate of the Foundation”!) (5) No one in the House of the Lord but the priests! And let the people keep the “charge of the Lord.” (6) Put a weapon in the hand of each Levite; You know some times God’s people got to fight! (7) The priest gave the captains shields and spears (9) (Talkin’ ’bout Jehoiada don’t yah see? Sometimes you got to kill to be free!) Stationed the men with weapons in hands, (10) And they all yelled, Long live the king!” (11) But Athaliah said, “No! Don’t do this thing!” (13) “Treason!” said Athaliah and tore her clothes. They put her to death near that louse of a king ‘Cause killin’ in the temple was a bad thing. (14)

20 Nov., 2021