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The Temple Gates Chapter 3: The Coronation "This is the most important convocation you've ever attended," instructed Jedidah as she helped Josiah into his new royal attire. "It's a very solemn time; it's not playtime." "I-I know that, Mother." The boy had never stuttered before, and he shivered as he thought of the challenge before him. "You'll be nearby, won't you?" "Yes," she assured him, "but you'll have to climb the stairs yourself. I can't stand by you when they anoint you and put the crown on your head." The young woman masked her great fear for the future of her son. How could an eight-year-old boy run a country whose national economy, government, and religion lay in a tangled mess. "More than anything else, Josiah . . . more than anything else, be true to Yahweh. Don't go with the counselors or wise men to any of the shrines, or allow them to turn you from your allegiance to God. We've been over this before." "I have given my life to Yahweh," assured Josiah, " just as you taught me." Josiah stood to his full
height, strait as a plumb line. "I will not let any man lead me from Him. I will be true to God, no
matter what the cost!" The palace buzzed with activity as the servants hurried to make the final preparations for the feast that would follow the coronation. They set up tables in the Throne Room and in the garden. They placed flowers on each table, and made sure the food was ready. All the King's advisors and nobles from all over Judah would be joining the festivities, so every detail must be in order. Where are the Chief Steward and his Assistant? The thought reverberated in the minds of the
servants. They had always depended upon the pair for direction in affairs such as this. How to do
this. How to do that. Should we place it this way. Or should we place it that way. Which way is
the correct way. Their absence seemed inexcusable at this time. And yet, perhaps they're needed
to supervise preparations in another part of the city. In spite of attempts to quell the thought,
anger built in each heart. "Surely a lot of people here," a woman half-whispered to her husband as they sought to enter the Temple gate. "You're right on that count," returned her husband. "But I'll be happy when the rituals are finished and we go to the feast at the Palace." "I agree, but it's best not to speak of it now. Others might get the idea that food is more important than a King." "Well, isn't it? At least it's better than the last king we had." His wife had to stifle outright laughter. Most observers wore the kethoneth, shirt-like garment. Some hung to the knees, while others went as far as the ankles. All bore the blue tassels* required of every Jew. The air hung heavy with the odors of human sweat and the sweetness of perfumes. A few of the
wealthy women wore close-fitting garments of linen, imported from Egypt. Red or white seemed
to be the predominate colors. Most women wore cosmetics of various sorts, some to enlarge the
eyes by blackening the eyelashes, and others wore an additional red-blush coloring on their
cheeks. The majority of the women had, woven through their hair, a string of coins made of silver
or gold. These coins were their dowry, and each woman carefully guarded them. (Should some
personal disaster strike--such as the death of their husband, or divorce--the woman always had
her dowry to keep her alive until she could better her situation.) Josiah and Jedidah led the royal family, government leaders, scribes, nobles, and servants. Josiah's mother looked down with joy at her son. Only her love for her Creator exceeded her fondness for him. Soon he would be King, and she would be the Queen Mother--a position almost as powerful as that of the King himself. And for many years to come, she would be his chief counselor. She remembered her father joyfully reenacting the tales of Yahweh's triumphs on behalf of Israel. But she returned to the present when she saw the Temple gates. The procession entered, and the official Levite heralds sounded the rams' horns. The shrill blast of a dozen horns rose above the shouting of the multitude, and those who hadn't already found a place, elbowed their way into the Temple's outer court. The coronation would take place on the temple porch, for the new King needed Yahweh's blessing. For generations the people had followed heathen ways, worshiping pagan deities at the many "high places" throughout the country. Yet tradition still bound them by slender cords to the one true God--Yahweh, Creator of all. And according to tradition, a new King was always anointed and crowned beside "Boaz," the large bronze pillar that stood on the north side of the Temple porch. A hush fell over the throng as Josiah climbed the temple steps, accompanied by the High Priest and the Prime Minister--the highest official of the government. Josiah stood straight, and as tall as he could, beside the giant bronze pillar, a solemn expression on his face. He peered at the High Priest. The white, priestly robes that hung to his feet, the multicolored breast-plate, and turban on his head, all gave him a stately appearance. Jedidah waited at the foot of the stairs, so proud of her son that she thought her chest would
explode. Except for the absence of the crown and signet ring--which rested on an orate pillow
held by one of the priests--Josiah was dressed like the King. I can hardly wait to see the crown
upon his head, she thought. Josiah looked over the crowd while he waited for the ceremony to begin. Everyone had dressed in his or her finest clothing. Many women wore a veil-like shawl that dropped to their knees. Most of the wealthy women seemed heavy with jewelry: earrings, necklaces, bands of gold around the ankles, gold rings in their noses, dozens of bracelets on their arms, and gold threads running through their hair. Absently the boy wondered how they could possibly be comfortable with all those baubles hanging from their extremities. Josiah was brought back to attention when the High Priest signaled for him to kneel beside the pillar. The Priest read Yahweh's law pertaining to the King. Then, handing the scroll to another priest, he slowly poured fragrant anointing oil onto the head of the Crown Prince. The oil ran down his cheeks and dripped off his nose, staining his beautiful robes. The High Priest then set the diadem/crown upon his head. The new King arose and stood beside the bronze pillar, a smile on his face. The old Priests' voice rang clear and strong: "I present to you . . . Josiah . . . King of Judah!" And the people thundered their praise: "Long live the King! Long live the King!" The chant could be heard for many miles all around. The crowd then followed the royal party back to the Palace, where Josiah climbed the six steps between the Golden Lions . . . and occupied the Throne of David. "Long live King Josiah!" *Numbers 15:38
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