Ndebele - II Samuel

Chapter 1

1:1  Kwasekusithi emva kokufa kukaSawuli, uDavida esephendukile ekutshayeni amaAmaleki, uDavida wahlala insuku ezimbili eZikilagi.

1:2  Kwasekusithi ngosuku lwesithathu, khangela, kwafika umuntu evela enkambeni evela kuSawuli, ozigqoko zakhe zazidatshuliwe, elenhlabathi ekhanda lakhe. Kwasekusithi efika kuDavida wawela emhlabathini, wakhonza.

1:3  UDavida wasesithi kuye: Uvela ngaphi? Wasesithi kuye: Ngiphephile enkambeni yakoIsrayeli.

1:4  UDavida wasesithi kuye: Lunjani udaba? Akungitshele. Wasesithi: Abantu babalekile empini, labanengi babantu labo bawile njalo bafile, uSawuli laye loJonathani indodana yakhe labo bafile.

1:5  UDavida wasesithi kulelojaha elalimbikela: Wazi njani ukuthi uSawuli loJonathani indodana yakhe bafile?

1:6  Lelojaha elalimbikela laselisithi: Kuthe ngisithi thutshu entabeni yeGilibowa, khangela, uSawuli eyeme emkhontweni wakhe, khangela-ke, inqola labagadi bamabhiza kwakumnamathele.

1:7  Lapho enyemukula, wasengibona, wangibiza; ngasengisithi: Khangela ngilapha.

1:8  Wasesithi kimi: Ungubani? Ngasengisithi kuye: NgingumAmaleki.

1:9  Wasesithi kimi: Ake ume phezu kwami ungibulale; ngoba ubuhlungu obukhulu bungehlele, ngoba impilo yami isaphelele kimi.

1:10  Ngakho ngema phezu kwakhe ngambulala, ngoba ngazi ukuthi angeke aphile emva kokuwa kwakhe. Ngasengithatha umqhele owawusekhanda lakhe, lesongo elalisengalweni yakhe, ngikulethile lapha enkosini yami.

1:11  UDavida wasebamba izigqoko zakhe wazidabula, njalo lawo wonke amadoda ayelaye.

1:12  Basebelila, bakhala inyembezi, bazila ukudla kwaze kwahlwa ngenxa kaSawuli, langenxa kaJonathani indodana yakhe, langenxa yabantu beNkosi, langenxa yendlu kaIsrayeli, ngoba babewe ngenkemba.

1:13  UDavida wasesithi kulelojaha elalimbikele: Uvela ngaphi? Laselisithi: Ngiyindodana yomuntu wezizweni, umAmaleki.

1:14  UDavida wasesithi kulo: Kawesabanga njani ukwelula isandla sakho ukubhubhisa ogcotshiweyo weNkosi?

1:15  UDavida wasebiza elinye lamajaha, wathi: Sondela ulidumele. Laselilitshaya laze lafa.

1:16  UDavida wasesithi kulo: Igazi lakho kalibe phezu kwekhanda lakho; ngoba umlomo wakho ufakaze umelene lawe, usithi: Mina ngimbulele ogcotshiweyo weNkosi.

1:17  UDavida waselila lesisililo ngenxa kaSawuli loJonathani indodana yakhe

1:18  (lapho wathi kufundiswe abantwana bakoJuda "IDandili"; khangela, kubhaliwe egwalweni lukaJashari):

1:19  Ubuhle bukaIsrayeli bubulewe ezindaweni zakho eziphakemeyo. Awe njani amaqhawe!

1:20  Lingakukhulumi eGathi, lingakumemezeli ezitaladeni zeAshikeloni, hlezi athokoze amadodakazi amaFilisti, hlezi ajabule amadodakazi abangasokwanga.

1:21  Zintaba zeGilibowa, kakungabi khona amazolo kumbe izulu phezu kwenu, kumbe amasimu eminikelo. Ngoba izihlangu zamaqhawe zangcoliswa khona; isihlangu sikaSawuli singagcotshwanga ngamafutha.

1:22  Egazini lababuleweyo, emahwahweni amaqhawe idandili likaJonathani kaliphendukanga, lenkemba kaSawuli kayibuyelanga ize.

1:23  USawuli loJonathani babethandeka bebahle empilweni zabo, lekufeni kwabo kabehlukaniswanga; babelesiqubu kulezinkozi, belamandla kulezilwane.

1:24  Madodakazi akoIsrayeli, mkhaleleni inyembezi uSawuli, owaligqokisa ngokubomvu lentokozo, owafaka imiceciso yegolide phezu kwezigqoko zenu.

1:25  Awe njani amaqhawe phakathi kwempi! Jonathani, ubulewe endaweni zakho eziphakemeyo!

1:26  Ngidabukile ngawe, mfowethu Jonathani; ubumnandi kakhulu kimi, uthando lwakho belumangalisa kimi lusedlula uthando lwabesifazana.

1:27  Awe njani amaqhawe, zabhubha lezikhali zempi!

Chapter 2

2:1  Kwasekusithi emva kwalokho uDavida wabuza eNkosini esithi: Ngenyukele yini komunye wemizi yakoJuda? INkosi yasisithi kuye: Yenyuka. UDavida wasesithi: Ngiye ngaphi? Yasisithi: EHebroni.

2:2  Ngakho uDavida wenyukela lapho, kanye labafazi bakhe bobabili, uAhinowama umJizereyelikazi loAbigayili umkaNabali umKharmeli.

2:3  UDavida wasesenyusa abantu bakhe ababelaye, ngulowo lalowo labendlu yakhe; basebehlala emizini yeHebroni.

2:4  Kwasekufika abantu bakoJuda, bamgcoba khona uDavida waba yinkosi phezu kwendlu yakoJuda. Basebemtshela uDavida besithi: Abantu beJabeshi-Gileyadi yibo abangcwaba uSawuli.

2:5  UDavida wasethumela izithunywa ebantwini beJabeshi-Gileyadi, wathi kibo: Kalibusiswe yiNkosi, ngoba lenze lumusa enkosini yenu, kuSawuli, lamngcwaba.

2:6  Khathesi-ke, iNkosi kayilenzele umusa leqiniso; mina lami ngizalenzela lokhu okuhle, ngoba lenze loludaba.

2:7  Khathesi-ke kaziqine izandla zenu libe ngamadodana amaqhawe; ngoba inkosi yenu uSawuli ifile; njalo lendlu yakoJuda ingigcobile mina ukuba yinkosi phezu kwabo.

2:8  Kodwa uAbhineri indodana kaNeri, induna yebutho uSawuli ayelalo, wathatha uIshiboshethi indodana kaSawuli, wamchaphisela eMahanayimi,

2:9  wambeka waba yinkosi phezu kweGileyadi, laphezu kwamaAshuri, laphezu kweJizereyeli, laphezu kukaEfrayimi, laphezu kukaBhenjamini, laphezu kukaIsrayeli wonke.

2:10  UIshiboshethi, indodana kaSawuli, wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amane esiba yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli, wabusa iminyaka emibili. Kodwa indlu yakoJuda yalandela uDavida.

2:11  Lenani lensuku uDavida owaba yinkosi ngazo eHebroni phezu kwendlu yakoJuda laliyiminyaka eyisikhombisa lenyanga eziyisithupha.

2:12  UAbhineri indodana kaNeri wasephuma, lenceku zikaIshiboshethi indodana kaSawuli, basuka eMahanayimi baya eGibeyoni.

2:13  UJowabi indodana kaZeruya lenceku zikaDavida basebephuma bahlangana ndawonye echibini leGibeyoni; bahlala, abanye ngapha kwechibi labanye ngale kwechibi.

2:14  UAbhineri wasesithi kuJowabi: Amajaha ake asukume adlale phambi kwethu. UJowabi wasesithi: Kawasukume.

2:15  Kwasekusukuma kwedlula ngenani abalitshumi lambili koBhenjamini lakoIshiboshethi indodana kaSawuli, letshumi lambili lenceku zikaDavida.

2:16  Basebebamba ngulowo lalowo ikhanda lomunye, wagwazangenkemba yakhe ehlangothini lomunye; ngokunjalo bawa ndawonye. Ngakho leyondawo bayibiza ngokuthi yiHelekati-Hasurimi eseGibeyoni.

2:17  Njalo kwaba lempi enzima kakhulu ngalolosuku, loAbhineri wehlulwa lamadoda akoIsrayeli phambi kwenceku zikaDavida.

2:18  Ayekhona-ke lapho amadodana amathathu kaZeruya, oJowabi, loAbishayi loAsaheli. Njalo uAsaheli wayelesiqubu ezinyaweni njengomunye wemiziki yeganga.

2:19  UAsaheli wasexotshana loAbhineri; njalo ekuhambeni kwakhe kaphambukelanga ngakwesokunene langakwesokhohlo ekulandeleni uAbhineri.

2:20  UAbhineri wasenyemukula, wathi: Nguwe uAsaheli yini? Wasesithi: Yimi.

2:21  UAbhineri wasesithi kuye: Phambukela wena ngakwesokunene loba ngakwesokhohlo, uzibambele elinye lamajaha, uzithathele izikhali zalo. Kodwa uAsaheli kavumanga ukuphambuka ekumlandeleni.

2:22  UAbhineri wasebuya futhi esithi kuAsaheli: Phambuka wena ekungilandeleni; ngizakutshayelelani emhlabathini? Pho, ngingaphakamisa njani ubuso bami kuJowabi umfowenu?

2:23  Kodwa wala ukuphambuka; ngakho uAbhineri wamtshaya ngesidindi somkhonto kubambo lwesihlanu, umkhonto waze waphuma emuva kwakhe; wasewela phansi lapho, wafela kuleyondawo. Kwasekusithi bonke abafika endaweni lapho uAsaheli awela wafa khona, bema.

2:24  UJowabi laye loAbishayi baxotshana loAbhineri; ilanga laselitshona, bona befika eqaqeni lweAma, olungaphambi kweGiya endleleni yenkangala yeGibeyoni.

2:25  Abantwana bakoBhenjamini basebebuthana ngemva kukaAbhineri, baba lixuku linye, bema phezu koqaqa oluthile.

2:26  UAbhineri wasememeza kuJowabi wathi: Inkemba izakudla njalonjalo yini? Kawazi yini ukuthi kuzakuba yikubaba ekucineni? Koze kube nini ungabatsheli abantu ukuthi babuye ekulandeleni abafowabo?

2:27  UJowabi wasesithi: Kuphila kukaNkulunkulu, ngaphandle kokuthi ubukhulumile, isibili ngalesosikhathi kusukela ekuseni abantu ngabe benyukile, ngulowo lalowo esuka ekulandeleni umfowabo.

2:28  UJowabi wasevuthela uphondo, bonke abantu basebesima, kababe besaxotshana loIsrayeli, futhi kababe besalwa njalo.

2:29  UAbhineri labantu bakhe bahamba bedabula amagceke bonke lobobusuku, bachapha iJordani, badabula iBhithironi yonke, bafika eMahanayimi.

2:30  UJowabi wasebuya ekulandeleni uAbhineri; esebuthanisile bonke abantu, encekwini zikaDavida kwasilela abalitshumi labayisificamunwemunye, loAsaheli.

2:31  Kodwa izinceku zikaDavida zazitshayile koBhenjamini lemadodeni akaAbhineri; amadoda angamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisithupha afa.

2:32  Basebemthatha uAsaheli, bamngcwaba engcwabeni likayise elaliseBhethelehema. UJowabi labantu bakhe basebehamba ubusuku bonke, kwasa beseHebroni.

Chapter 3

3:1  Kwakukhona-ke impi isikhathi eside phakathi kwendlu kaSawuli lendlu kaDavida; kodwa uDavida waya eqina, kodwa indlu kaSawuli yaya isiba buthakathaka.

3:2  Kwasekuzalelwa uDavida amadodana eHebroni; lezibulo lakhe lalinguAmnoni kaAhinowama umJizereyelikazi;

3:3  leyesibili yakhe yayinguKileyabi kaAbigayili umkaNabali umKharmeli; eyesithathu yayinguAbisalomu indodana kaMahaka indodakazi kaTalimayi, inkosi yeGeshuri;

3:4  leyesine yayinguAdonija indodana kaHagithi; leyesihlanu yayinguShefathiya indodana kaAbithali;

3:5  leyesithupha yayinguIthereyamu kaEgila, umkaDavida. Laba bazalelwa uDavida eHebroni.

3:6  Kwasekusithi kuselempi phakathi kwendlu kaSawuli lendlu kaDavida, uAbhineri waziqinisa endlini kaSawuli.

3:7  Njalo uSawuli wayelomfazi omncane, obizo lakhe lalinguRizipha indodakazi kaAya; uIshiboshethi wasesithi kuAbhineri: Ungeneleni emfazini omncane kababa?

3:8  UAbhineri wasethukuthela kakhulu ngenxa yamazwi kaIshiboshethi, wathi: Ngilikhanda lenja yini mina ongokaJuda? Lamuhla ngenzela indlu kaSawuli uyihlo umusa, kubafowabo, lakubangane bakhe, kangikunikelanga esandleni sikaDavida, ukuthi ungibeka icala ngowesifazana lamuhla?

3:9  UNkulunkulu enze njalo kuAbhineri, engezelele ngokunjalo kuye, ngeqiniso, njengoba iNkosi ifungile kuDavida, qotho, ngizakwenza njalo kuye,

3:10  ukudlulisa umbuso usuka endlini kaSawuli, lokumisa isihlalo sobukhosi sikaDavida phezu kukaIsrayeli laphezu kukaJuda, kusukela koDani kuze kufike eBherishebha.

3:11  Njalo wayengelakumphendula uAbhineri ngalizwi futhi, ngoba wayemesaba.

3:12  UAbhineri wasethuma izithunywa kuDavida esikhundleni sakhe, esithi: Ngelikabani ilizwe? Esithi: Yenza isivumelwano sakho lami; khangela-ke, isandla sami sizakuba lawe ukuphendulela uIsrayeli wonke kuwe.

3:13  Wasesithi: Kulungile; mina ngizakwenza isivumelwano lawe, kodwa yinye into engiyifuna kuwe, ngeyokuthi kawuyikubona ubuso bami, ngaphandle kokuthi ulethe kuqala uMikhali indodakazi kaSawuli, lapho usizabona ubuso bami.

3:14  UDavida wasethuma izithunywa kuIshiboshethi indodana kaSawuli, esithi: Nginika umkami uMikhali engamgana ngamajwabu aphambili alikhulu amaFilisti.

3:15  UIshiboshethi wasethumela, wamthatha endodeni yakhe, kuPalitiyeli indodana kaLayishi.

3:16  Kodwa indoda yakhe yahamba laye, ihamba ikhala inyembezi ngemva kwakhe kwaze kwaba seBahurimi. UAbhineri wasesithi kuyo: Hamba, buyela. Yasibuyela.

3:17  UAbhineri wasesiba lenkulumo labadala bakoIsrayeli esithi: Ngezikhathi ezidlulileyo lalifuna uDavida ukuthi abe yinkosi phezu kwenu.

3:18  Khathesi-ke, kwenzeni, ngoba iNkosi ikhulumile ngoDavida ukuthi: Ngesandla senceku yami uDavida ngizakhulula abantu bami uIsrayeli esandleni samaFilisti lesandleni sazo zonke izitha zabo.

3:19  UAbhineri wasekhuluma futhi endlebeni zakoBhenjamini; uAbhineri njalo wasesiyakhuluma endlebeni zikaDavida eHebroni konke okwakukuhle emehlweni akoIsrayeli lemehlweni endlu yonke yakoBhenjamini.

3:20  Ngakho uAbhineri wafika kuDavida eHebroni elamadoda angamatshumi amabili; uDavida wasesenzela uAbhineri lamadoda ayelaye idili.

3:21  UAbhineri wasesithi kuDavida: Ngizasukuma ngihambe, ngibuthanise uIsrayeli wonke enkosini yami, inkosi, ukuze benze isivumelwano lawe, lokuthi ubuse kukho konke umphefumulo wakho okufisayo. UDavida waseyekela uAbhineri ukuthi ahambe, wasehamba ngokuthula.

3:22  Khangela-ke, izinceku zikaDavida loJowabi bafika bevela ekuhlaseleni beza belempango enkulu. Kodwa uAbhineri wayengekho kuDavida eHebroni, ngoba wayemyekele ukuthi ahambe, wahamba ngokuthula.

3:23  Esefikile uJowabi lebutho lonke elalilaye, bamtshela uJowabi besithi: UAbhineri indodana kaNeri ubefikile enkosini, imyekele wahamba; wahamba ngokuthula.

3:24  UJowabi wasesiya enkosini, wathi: Wenzeni? Khangela, uAbhineri ubefikile kuwe; pho, umyekeleleni ukuthi ahambe, wahamba lokuhamba?

3:25  Uyamazi uAbhineri indodana kaNeri ukuthi ulande ukukukhohlisa, lokwazi ukuphuma kwakho lokungena kwakho, lokwazi konke okwenzayo.

3:26  Esephumile uJowabi kuDavida wathuma izithunywa ukulandela uAbhineri, ezambuyisa emthonjeni weSira; kodwa uDavida wayengakwazi lokho.

3:27  UAbhineri esebuyile eHebroni, uJowabi wamphambulela eceleni phakathi kwesango ukuze akhulume laye ngasese; wasemtshaya lapho kubambo lwesihlanu waze wafa, ngenxa yegazi likaAsaheli umfowabo.

3:28  Kwathi uDavida esekuzwile emva kwalokho wathi: Mina lombuso wami kasilacala phambi kweNkosi kuze kube nininini ngegazi likaAbhineri indodana kaNeri.

3:29  Kalihlale phezu kwekhanda likaJowabi lendlini yonke kayise. Kakungaqunywa endlini kaJowabi ogobhozayo, kumbe umlephero, kumbe odondolozelayo, kumbe owa ngenkemba, kumbe oswela ukudla.

3:30  Ngokunjalo uJowabi loAbishayi umfowabo bambulala uAbhineri, ngoba wayebulele umfowabo uAsaheli eGibeyoni empini.

3:31  UDavida wasesithi kuJowabi lakubo bonke abantu ababelaye: Dabulani izigqoko zenu, libhince amasaka, lilile phambi kukaAbhineri. Inkosi uDavida yasilandela ithala.

3:32  UAbhineri basebemngcwabela eHebroni; inkosi yasiphakamisa ilizwi layo yakhala inyembezi engcwabeni likaAbhineri, labantu bonke bakhala inyembezi.

3:33  Inkosi yamenzela uAbhineri isililo yathi: Afe uAbhineri njengokufa kwesithutha yini?

3:34  Izandla zakho bezingabotshwanga, lenyawo zakho bezingafakwanga emaketaneni; njengowela phambi kwabantu ababi uwile. Bonke abantu basebephinda bemkhalela inyembezi.

3:35  Bonke abantu basebesiza ukumenza uDavida ukuthi adle ukudla kusesemini; kodwa uDavida wafunga esithi: Kenze njalo uNkulunkulu kimi engezelele ngokunjalo, uba nginambitha ukudla loba okunye nje lingakatshoni ilanga.

3:36  Kwathi bonke abantu bekunanzelela, kwaba kuhle emehlweni abo; njengakho konke eyakwenzayo inkosi, kwaba kuhle emehlweni abo bonke abantu.

3:37  Ngoba bonke abantu loIsrayeli wonke bazi ngalolosuku ukuthi kwakungeyisikho okwenkosi ukubulala uAbhineri indodana kaNeri.

3:38  Inkosi yasisithi encekwini zayo: Kalazi yini ukuthi kuwe induna lomkhulu koIsrayeli lamuhla?

3:39  Lami lamuhla ngibuthakathaka, njalo ngigcotshwe ngaba yinkosi; lalamadoda, amadodana kaZeruya, alukhuni kulami. INkosi izavuza umenzi wobubi njengobubi bakhe.

Chapter 4

4:1  Lapho isizwile indodana kaSawuli ukuthi uAbhineri ufele eHebroni, izandla zakhe zaba buthakathaka, loIsrayeli wonke wakhathazeka.

4:2  Njalo indodana kaSawuli yayilamadoda amabili ayeyizinduna zamaviyo; ibizo lenye lalinguBahana, lebizo lenye linguRekabi, amadodana kaRimoni, umBherothi, wabantwana bakoBhenjamini. Ngoba iBherothi layo yayibalelwa koBhenjamini;

4:3  lamaBherothi abalekela eGithayimi, aba ngabahlali njengabezizwe khona kuze kube lamuhla.

4:4  UJonathani indodana kaSawuli wayelendodana eyayiyisilima enyaweni. Yayileminyaka emihlanu ekufikeni kombiko ngoSawuli loJonathani uvela eJizereyeli; lomlizane wayo wayithatha, wabaleka; kwasekusithi ekuphangiseni kwakhe ukubaleka, yawa yaba yisilima. Lebizo layo lalinguMefiboshethi.

4:5  Lamadodana kaRimoni, umBherothi, uRekabi loBahana, ahamba, ekutshiseni kwelanga afika endlini kaIshiboshethi, owayelele embhedeni emini enkulu.

4:6  Bona bangena endlini phakathi kungathi bathatha ingqoloyi, bamtshaya kubambo lwesihlanu; uRekabi loBahana umfowabo basebebaleka.

4:7  Ngoba bengena endlini, wayelele embhedeni wakhe endlini yakhe yokulala, bamtshaya, bambulala, bamquma ikhanda; bathatha ikhanda lakhe, bahamba ngendlela yamagceke ubusuku bonke.

4:8  Basebelisa ikhanda likaIshiboshethi kuDavida eHebroni. Bathi enkosini: Khangela, ikhanda likaIshiboshethi indodana kaSawuli, isitha sakho ebesidinga impilo yakho; iNkosi inike impindiselo lamuhla enkosini yami, inkosi, kuSawuli lakuyo inzalo yakhe.

4:9  Kodwa uDavida wabaphendula uRekabi loBahana umfowabo, amadodana kaRimoni umBherothi, wathi kubo: Kuphila kukaJehova, ohlenge umphefumulo wami kuyo yonke inhlupheko,

4:10  lapho owangibikelayo esithi: Khangela, uSawuli ufile; njalo enjengomthwali wendaba ezinhle emehlweni akhe, ngamxhakalaza, ngambulala eZikilagi, kulokuthi ngimvuzele indaba ezinhle.

4:11  Pho kangakanani, lapho abantu ababi bebulele umuntu olungileyo endlini yakhe esembhedeni wakhe; ngakho-ke angiyikubiza yini igazi lakhe esandleni senu, ngilisuse emhlabeni?

4:12  UDavida waselaya amajaha, ababulala, aquma izandla zabo lenyawo zabo, abaphanyeka echibini leHebroni. Kodwa athatha ikhanda likaIshiboshethi, alingcwaba engcwabeni likaAbhineri eHebroni.

Chapter 5

5:1  Khona zonke izizwe zakoIsrayeli zeza kuDavida eHebroni, zakhuluma zisithi: Khangela, thina silithambo lakho lenyama yakho.

5:2  Lesikhathini esidlulileyo, uSawuli eseyinkosi phezu kwethu, nguwe owakhupha lowangenisa uIsrayeli, leNkosi yathi kuwe: Wena uzakwelusa abantu bami uIsrayeli, lawe uzakuba ngumbusi phezu kukaIsrayeli.

5:3  Ngakho kwafika bonke abadala bakoIsrayeli enkosini uDavida eHebroni; inkosi uDavida yasisenza isivumelwano labo eHebroni phambi kweNkosi; basebemgcoba uDavida, waba yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli.

5:4  UDavida wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amathathu ekubeni kwakhe yinkosi; wabusa iminyaka engamatshumi amane.

5:5  EHebroni wabusa phezu kukaJuda iminyaka eyisikhombisa lenyanga eziyisithupha; leJerusalema wabusa iminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lantathu phezu kukaIsrayeli wonke loJuda.

5:6  Inkosi labantu bayo basebesiya eJerusalema kumaJebusi, abahlali belizwe; akhuluma kuDavida athi: Kawuyikungena lapha, ngaphandle kokuthi ususe iziphofu labaqhulayo; besithi uDavida kayikungena lapho.

5:7  Kodwa uDavida wayithumba inqaba yeZiyoni; le ngumuzi kaDavida.

5:8  UDavida wasesithi ngalolosuku: Ngulowo lalowo otshaya umJebusi, katshaye emgelweni wamanzi abaqhulayo leziphofu, abazondwa ngumphefumulo kaDavida. Ngakho bathi: Isiphofu loqhulayo kabayikungena endlini.

5:9  Ngakho uDavida wahlala enqabeni, wayibiza ngokuthi ngumuzi kaDavida. UDavida wakha inhlangothi zonke, kusukela eMilo kusiya phakathi.

5:10  UDavida waqhubeka njalo esiba lamandla, njalo iNkosi, uNkulunkulu wamabandla, yayilaye.

5:11  UHiramu inkosi yeTire wasethuma izithunywa kuDavida, lezigodo zemisedari, lababazi bezigodo lababazi bamatshe; basebemakhela uDavida indlu.

5:12  UDavida wasekwazi ukuthi iNkosi yayimmisile ukuthi abe yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli, lokuthi iwuphakamisile umbuso wakhe ngenxa yabantu bayo uIsrayeli.

5:13  UDavida wasethatha abanye abafazi abancane labafazi bevela eJerusalema, esevela eHebroni, njalo kwakulamanye amadodana lamadodakazi azalelwa uDavida.

5:14  Njalo la ngamabizo alabo abazalelwa yena eJerusalema: OShamuwa, loShobabi, loNathani, loSolomoni,

5:15  loIbihari, loElishuwa, loNefegi, loJafiya,

5:16  loElishama, loEliyada, loElifeleti.

5:17  Kwathi amaFilisti esezwile ukuthi bamgcobile uDavida ukuthi abe yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli, wonke amaFilisti enyuka ukuyamdinga uDavida; uDavida wakuzwa, wehlela enqabeni.

5:18  AmaFilisti esefikile asabalala esihotsheni seRefayimi.

5:19  UDavida wasebuza eNkosini esithi: Ngingenyukela yini kumaFilisti? Uzawanikela esandleni sami yini? INkosi yasisithi kuDavida: Yenyuka, ngoba isibili ngizawanikela amaFilisti esandleni sakho.

5:20  UDavida wasefika eBhali-Perazimi, uDavida wawatshaya khona, wathi: INkosi izifohlele izitha zami phambi kwami njengokufohla kwamanzi. Ngakho wabiza ibizo laleyondawo ngokuthi yiBhali-Perazimi.

5:21  Asetshiya izithombe zawo lapho, loDavida labantu bakhe bazisusa.

5:22  AmaFilisti asebuya enyuka futhi, asabalala esihotsheni seRefayimi.

5:23  Lapho uDavida ebuza iNkosi, yathi: Ungenyuki; bhoda ngemuva kwawo, uwasukele usuka maqondana lezihlahla zebhalisamu.

5:24  Kuzakuthi-ke lapho usizwa isisinde sokuhamba ezihlokweni zezihlahla zebhalisamu, lapho uphangise, ngoba ngalesosikhathi iNkosi izaphuma phambi kwakho ukutshaya ibutho lamaFilisti.

5:25  UDavida wasesenza njalo, njengokumlaya kwayo iNkosi, wawatshaya amaFilisti kusukela eGeba uze ufike eGezeri.

Chapter 6

6:1  UDavida wabuya wabuthanisa bonke abakhethiweyo koIsrayeli, inkulungwane ezingamatshumi amathathu.

6:2  UDavida wasesukuma wahamba labo bonke abantu ababelaye, besuka eBahala-Juda ukuze benyuse umtshokotsho kaNkulunkulu usuka lapho, obizo lawo libizwa ngebizo leNkosi yamabandla, ehlala phakathi kwamakherubhi* phezu kwawo.

6:3  Basebewukhweza umtshokotsho kaNkulunkulu enqoleni entsha, bewukhupha endlini kaAbinadaba eyayiseqaqeni; njalo uUza loAhiyo amadodana kaAbinadaba batshayela leyonqola entsha.

6:4  Bayikhipha-ke endlini kaAbinadaba eyayiseqaqeni kanye lomtshokotsho kaNkulunkulu, njalo uAhiyo ehamba phambi komtshokotsho.

6:5  UDavida lendlu yonke yakoIsrayeli basebetshaya phambi kweNkosi ngazo zonke izinto zokutshaya zesihlahla sefiri*, langamachacho, langezigubhu zezintambo, langezigujana, langamahlwayi, langezinsimbi ezincencethayo.

6:6  Bathi befika esizeni sikaNakoni, uUza welulelaisandla sakhe emtshokotshweni kaNkulunkulu, wawubamba, ngoba inkabi zakhubeka.

6:7  Intukuthelo yeNkosi yasimvuthela uUza; uNkulunkulu wamtshaya khonapho ngenxa yalesisiphambeko; wasefela khonapho phansi komtshokotsho kaNkulunkulu.

6:8  UDavida wasethukuthela ngoba iNkosi imfohlele uUza ngesikhala; waseyibiza leyondawo ngokuthi yiPerezi-Uza, kuze kube lamuhla.

6:9  UDavida waseyesaba iNkosi ngalolosuku, wathi: Umtshokotsho weNkosi uzakuza njani kimi?

6:10  Ngakho uDavida kavumanga ukuwudlulisela kuye umtshokotsho weNkosi emzini kaDavida; kodwa uDavida wawuphambulela endlini kaObedi-Edoma umGithi.

6:11  Umtshokotsho weNkosi wasuhlala endlini kaObedi-Edoma umGithi inyanga ezintathu. INkosi yasimbusisa uObedi-Edoma lendlu yakhe yonke.

6:12  Kwasekubikelwa inkosi uDavida kwathiwa: INkosi ibusisile indlu kaObedi-Edoma lakho konke okwakhe ngenxa yomtshokotsho kaNkulunkulu. Ngakho uDavida wasehamba wenyusa umtshokotsho kaNkulunkulu ewususa endlini kaObedi-Edoma, ewusa emzini kaDavida ngentokozo.

6:13  Kwasekusithi lapho labo abathwele umtshokotsho weNkosi sebehambe izinyathelo eziyisithupha, wahlaba inkabi lokunonisiweyo.

6:14  UDavida wasegida ngamandla wonke phambi kweNkosi; uDavida wayebhince i-efodi* yelembu elicolekileyo.

6:15  Ngokunjalo uDavida lendlu yonke yakoIsrayeli bawenyusa umtshokotsho weNkosi ngokumemeza langokukhala kophondo.

6:16  Kwasekusithi lapho umtshokotsho weNkosi ungena emzini kaDavida, uMikhali indodakazi kaSawuli walunguza ngewindi, wabona inkosi uDavida eseqa egida phambi kweNkosi; wameyisa enhliziyweni yakhe.

6:17  Basebewungenisa umtshokotsho weNkosi, bawubeka endaweni yawo phakathi kwethente uDavida ayelimisele wona; uDavida wasenikela iminikelo yokutshiswa phambi kweNkosi leminikelo yokuthula.

6:18  Kwathi uDavida eseqedile ukunikela iminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yokuthula, wabusisa abantu ebizweni leNkosi yamabandla.

6:19  Wababela bonke abantu, ixuku lonke lakoIsrayeli, kusukela kwabesilisa kusiya kwabesifazana, ngulowo lalowo iqebelengwana lesinkwa, leqatha lenyama, lesinkwa sezithelo zevini ezonyisiweyo. Basebehamba abantu bonke, ngulowo lalowo emzini wakhe.

6:20  UDavida wasebuyela ukubusisa indlu yakhe. UMikhali indodakazi kaSawuli wasephuma ukuhlangabeza uDavida, wathi: Idunyiswe kangakanani inkosi yakoIsrayeli lamuhla, ezembule lamuhla phambi kwamehlo encekukazi zenceku zayo njengomunye wabayize ezembula lokuzembula!

6:21  UDavida wasesithi kuMikhali: Ngaphambi kweNkosi, eyangikhetha phambi kukayihlo laphambi kwendlu yakhe yonke, yangimisa ukuthi ngibe ngumbusi phezu kwabantu beNkosi, phezu kukaIsrayeli; ngakho ngizadlala phambi kweNkosi.

6:22  Ngisazadeleleka-ke kakhulu kulalokhu, ngehliselwe phansi emehlweni ami; kodwa ngezincekukazi okhulume ngazo, ngizadunyiswa yizo.

6:23  Njalo uMikhali indodakazi kaSawuli kabanga lamntwana kwaze kwaba lusuku lokufa kwakhe.

Chapter 7

7:1  Kwasekusithi lapho inkosi yayihlezi endlini yayo, leNkosi isiyiphumuzile inhlangothi zonke ezitheni zayo zonke,

7:2  inkosi yathi kuNathani umprofethi: Akubone, mina ngihlala endlini yemisedari, kodwa umtshokotsho kaNkulunkulu uhlala phakathi kwamakhetheni.

7:3  UNathani wasesithi enkosini: Hamba wenze konke okusenhliziyweni yakho, ngoba iNkosi ilawe.

7:4  Kodwa kwathi ngalobobusuku, ilizwi leNkosi lafika kuNathani lisithi:

7:5  Hamba uthi encekwini yami, kuDavida: Itsho njalo iNkosi: Wena uzangakhela yini indlu ukuze ngihlale kiyo?

7:6  Ngoba kangizange ngihlale endlini kusukela osukwini engenyusa ngalo abantwana bakoIsrayeli eGibhithe kuze kube lamuhla, kodwa bengihamba ethenteni lethabhanekeleni.

7:7  Kuzo zonke izindawo engihambe kuzo labo bonke abantwana bakoIsrayeli, ngake ngakhuluma ilizwi yini kwesinye sezizwe zakoIsrayeli, engasilaya ukwelusa abantu bami uIsrayeli ngisithi: Kungani lingangakhelanga indlu yemisedari?

7:8  Ngakho-ke uzakutsho njalo encekwini yami, kuDavida, uthi: Itsho njalo iNkosi yamabandla: Mina ngakuthatha esibayeni sezimvu, ekulandeleni izimvu, ukuba ngumbusi phezu kwabantu bami, phezu kukaIsrayeli;

7:9  ngangilawe loba ngaphi lapho oya khona, ngaquma zonke izitha zakho ngaphambi kwakho; ngakwenzela ibizo elikhulu njengebizo labakhulu abasemhlabeni.

7:10  Njalo ngizabamisela indawo abantu bami uIsrayeli, ngibagxumeke ukuze bahlale endaweni yabo, bangabe besanyikinyeka; labantwana benkohlakalo kabasayikubahlupha, njengakuqala,

7:11  njalo kusukela osukwini engalaya ngalo abahluleli phezu kwabantu bami uIsrayeli; ngikuphumuze ezitheni zakho zonke. Futhi iNkosi iyakutshela ukuthi iNkosi izakwenzela indlu.

7:12  Lapho insuku zakho sezigcwalisekile, usulele laboyihlo, ngizamisa inzalo yakho emva kwakho, ezaphuma emibilini yakho, ngiqinise umbuso wayo.

7:13  Yona izakwakhela ibizo lami indlu; njalo ngizaqinisa isihlalo sobukhosi sombuso wayo kuze kube nininini.

7:14  Mina ngizakuba nguyise, layo ibe yindodana yami; ezakuthi uba isenza okubi, ngizayijezisa ngentonga yabantu, langemivimvinya yabantwana babantu.

7:15  Kodwa umusa wami kawuyikusuka kiyo njengalokho ngawususa kuSawuli engamsusa ngaphambi kwakho.

7:16  Lendlu yakho lombuso wakho kuzaqiniswa kuze kube nininini phambi kwami; isihlalo sakho sobukhosi sizaqiniswa kuze kube nininini.

7:17  Njengokwalamazwi wonke lanjengokwalo wonke lo umbono, ngokunjalo uNathani wakhuluma kuDavida.

7:18  Yasingena inkosi uDavida, yahlala phambi kweNkosi, yathi: Ngingubani mina, Nkosi Jehova, lendlu yami iyini, ukuthi ungifikise kuze kube lapha?

7:19  Kanti lokhu kusekuncinyane emehlweni akho, Nkosi Jehova; usukhulumile futhi ngendlu yenceku yakho ngokwesikhathi esikhatshana; lalokhu yindlela yabantu, Nkosi Jehova.

7:20  Pho, uDavida angabe esengezelela ngokuthini kuwe? Ngoba wena uyayazi inceku yakho, Nkosi Jehova.

7:21  Ngenxa yelizwi lakho lanjengokwenhliziyo yakho wenzile zonke lezizinto ezinkulu ukuze uzazise inceku yakho.

7:22  Ngakho umkhulu, Nkosi Jehova; ngoba kakho onjengawe, njalo kakho uNkulunkulu ngaphandle kwakho, njengakho konke esikuzwileyo ngendlebe zethu.

7:23  Yisiphi-ke isizwe esisodwa emhlabeni esinjengabantu bakho, njengoIsrayeli, uNkulunkulu owaya ukuzihlengela sona ukuba ngabantu, njalo wazenzela ibizo, walenzela izinto ezinkulu lezesabekayo, kusenzelwa ilizwe lakho, phambi kwabantu bakho, owazihlengela bona eGibhithe, ezizweni lakubonkulunkulu bazo?

7:24  Wasuziqinisela abantu bakho uIsrayeli ukuze babe ngabantu kuwe kuze kube nininini; lawe Nkosi usube nguNkulunkulu wabo.

7:25  Khathesi-ke, Nkosi Nkulunkulu, ilizwi olikhulume ngenceku yakho langendlu yayo liqinise kuze kube nininini, wenze njengokukhuluma kwakho.

7:26  Njalo kalibe likhulu ibizo lakho kuze kube nininini, kuthiwe: INkosi yamabandla inguNkulunkulu phezu kukaIsrayeli; lendlu yenceku yakho uDavida imiswe phambi kwakho.

7:27  Ngoba wena, Nkosi yamabandla, Nkulunkulu kaIsrayeli, wembule endlebeni yenceku yakho, usithi: Ngizakwakhela indlu. Ngakho inceku yakho ithole enhliziyweni yayo ukuthi ikhuleke lumkhuleko kuwe.

7:28  Khathesi-ke, Nkosi Jehova, wena ungulowoNkulunkulu, lamazwi akho aliqiniso; ukhulume encekwini yakho lokhu okuhle.

7:29  Ngakho-ke akuvume ubusise indlu yenceku yakho ukuze ibe phambi kwakho kuze kube nininini; ngoba wena, Nkosi Jehova, ukhulumile; langesibusiso sakho indlu yenceku yakho izabusiswa kuze kube nininini.

Chapter 8

8:1  Kwasekusithi emva kwalokho uDavida watshaya amaFilisti, wawehlisela phansi; uDavida wasethatha iMethegama esandleni samaFilisti.

8:2  Wasetshaya amaMowabi, wawalinganisa ngentambo, ewalalisa emhlabathini; walinganisa intambo ezimbili ukubulala, lentambo epheleleyo ukuwayekela ephila. Ngokunjalo amaMowabi aba zinceku zikaDavida, eletha izipho.

8:3  UDavida wasetshaya uHadadezeri indodana kaRehobi inkosi yeZoba, ekuhambeni kwakhe ukubuyisela amandla akhe emfuleni iYufrathi.

8:4  UDavida wasethumba kuye inqola eziyinkulungwane, labagadi bamabhiza abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa, lamadoda ahamba ngenyawo ayizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili; waquma imisipha yawo wonke amabhiza enqola, kodwa watshiya kuwo izinqola ezilikhulu.

8:5  Lapho amaSiriya aweDamaseko efika ukusiza uHadadezeri inkosi yeZoba, uDavida watshaya amadoda ayizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lambili kumaSiriya.

8:6  UDavida wasebeka amabutho enqaba eSiriya yeDamaseko; njalo amaSiriya aba zinceku zikaDavida, eletha izipho. INkosi yasimlondoloza uDavida loba ngaphi lapho aya khona.

8:7  UDavida wasethatha izihlangu zegolide ezazisezincekwini zikaHadadezeri, waziletha eJerusalema.

8:8  Inkosi uDavida yasithatha ithusi elinengi kakhulu eBeta leBerothayi, imizi kaHadadezeri.

8:9  Lapho uToyi inkosi yeHamathi esizwa ukuthi uDavida wayetshaye ibutho lonke likaHadadezeri,

8:10  uToyi wasethuma uJoramu indodana yakhe enkosini uDavida ukuyibuza impilo lokuyibusisa, ngoba yayilwe loHadadezeri yamtshaya (ngoba uHadadezeri waba lezimpi loToyi); njalo esandleni sakhe kwakulezitsha zesiliva lezitsha zegolide lezitsha zethusi.

8:11  Lazo inkosi uDavida yazehlukanisela iNkosi kanye lesiliva legolide eyayilehlukanisile livela ezizweni zonke eyayizehlisele phansi,

8:12  eSiriya, lakoMowabi, lakubantwana bakoAmoni, lakumaFilisti, leAmaleki, lempangweni kaHadadezeri indodana kaRehobi, inkosi yeZoba.

8:13  UDavida wasezenzela ibizo ekubuyeni kwakhe ekutshayeni amaSiriya, esihotsheni seTshwayi, izinkulungwane ezilitshumi lesificaminwembili.

8:14  Wasebeka inqaba zamabutho eEdoma; kuyo yonke iEdoma wabeka inqaba zamabutho, labo bonke abeEdoma baba zinceku zikaDavida. INkosi yasimlondoloza uDavida loba ngaphi lapho aya khona.

8:15  UDavida wabusa-ke phezu kukaIsrayeli wonke; uDavida wayesenza ukwahlulela lokulunga kubo bonke abantu bakhe.

8:16  Njalo uJowabi indodana kaZeruya wayephezu kwebutho; loJehoshafathi indodana kaAhiludi wayengumabhalane;

8:17  loZadoki indodana kaAhitubi loAhimeleki indodana kaAbhiyatha babengabapristi; loSeraya wayengumbhali;

8:18  loBhenaya indodana kaJehoyadawayephezu kwamaKerethi lamaPelethi; lamadodana kaDavida ayeyiziphathamandla.

Chapter 9

9:1  UDavida wasesithi: Kusekhona yini oseleyo endlini kaSawuli ukuze ngimenzele umusa ngenxa kaJonathani?

9:2  Njalo indlu kaSawuli yayilenceku obizo layo lalinguZiba. Sebembizele kuDavida, inkosi yathi kuye: UnguZiba yini? Wasesithi: Ngiyinceku yakho.

9:3  Inkosi yasisithi: Kakuselamuntu yini wendlu kaSawuli, engingamenzela umusa kaNkulunkulu? UZiba wasesithi enkosini: UJonathani uselendodana eyisilima inyawo zombili.

9:4  Inkosi yasisithi kuye: Ingaphi? UZiba wasesithi enkosini: Khangela, isendlini kaMakiri indodana kaAmiyeli eLodebari.

9:5  Inkosi uDavida yasithuma yamlanda endlini kaMakiri indodana kaAmiyeli eLodebari.

9:6  Lapho uMefiboshethi indodana kaJonathani indodana kaSawuli esefika kuDavida, wathi mbo ngobuso bakhe, wakhothama. UDavida wasesithi: Mefiboshethi! Wasesithi: Khangela, inceku yakho.

9:7  UDavida wasesithi kuye: Ungesabi, ngoba ngizakwenzela lokukwenzela umusa ngenxa kaJonathani uyihlo; ngizakubuyisela ilizwe lonke likaSawuli uyihlo, wena-ke uzakudla isinkwa etafuleni lami njalonjalo.

9:8  Wasekhothama, wathi: Iyini inceku yakho ukuthi ukhangele inja efileyo enjengami?

9:9  Inkosi yasibiza uZiba, inceku kaSawuli, yathi kuye: Konke okwakungokukaSawuli, lendlu yakhe yonke ngikunike indodana yenkosi yakho.

9:10  Uzayilimela-ke umhlaba, wena lamadodana akho lenceku zakho, lilethe izithelo ukuze indodana yenkosi yakho ibe lesinkwa engasidla; kodwa uMefiboshethi indodana yenkosi yakho uzakudla isinkwa etafuleni lami njalonjalo. Njalo uZiba wayelamadodana alitshumi lanhlanu, lenceku ezingamatshumi amabili.

9:11  UZiba wasesithi enkosini: Njengakho konke inkosi yami, inkosi, ekulaya inceku yayo, izakwenza njalo inceku yakho. NgoMefiboshethi, uzakudla etafuleni lami, njengomunye wamadodana enkosi.

9:12  Njalo uMefiboshethi wayelendodana encinyane, obizo layo lalinguMika. Labo bonke ababehlala endlini kaZiba baba zinceku zikaMefiboshethi.

9:13  UMefiboshethi wasehlala eJerusalema, ngoba wadla etafuleni lenkosi njalonjalo. Wayeyisilima inyawo zakhe zombili.

Chapter 10

10:1  Kwasekusithi emva kwalokho inkosi yabantwana bakoAmoni yafa, uHanuni indodana yayo wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sayo.

10:2  UDavida wasesithi: Ngizamenzela umusa uHanuni indodana kaNahashi njengoba uyise wangenzela umusa. UDavida wasethuma ngesandla senceku zakhe ukuyamduduza ngoyise. Zafika-ke izinceku zikaDavida elizweni labantwana bakoAmoni.

10:3  Iziphathamandla zabantwana bakoAmoni zasezisithi kuHanuni inkosi yazo: Kambe uDavida uyamhlonipha uyihlo emehlweni akho ngoba ethume abaduduzi kuwe? UDavida kazithumanga yini inceku zakhe kuwe ukuze ziphenye umuzi, ziwuhlole, ziwuchithe?

10:4  UHanuni wasebamba izinceku zikaDavida, wagela ingxenye yendevu zazo, waquma izembatho zazo phakathi kuze kube sezibunu zazo, waziyekela zahamba.

10:5  Sebembikele uDavida wathumela ukuzihlangabeza ngoba amadoda ayelenhloni kakhulu; inkosi yasisithi: Hlalani eJeriko zize zihlume indevu zenu, beselibuya.

10:6  Lapho abantwana bakoAmoni sebebonile ukuthi baba levumba kuDavida, abantwana bakoAmoni bathumela baqhatsha kumaSiriya eBeti-Rehobi lakumaSiriya eZoba, amadoda ahamba ngenyawo azinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili, lenkosini yeMahaka, amadoda ayinkulungwane, lebantwini beTobi, amadoda azinkulungwane ezilitshumi lambili.

10:7  Kwathi uDavida esekuzwile wathuma uJowabi lebutho lonke lamaqhawe.

10:8  Abantwana bakoAmoni basebephuma bahlela impi emnyango wesango; lamaSiriya eZoba leRehobi, labantu beTobi leMahaka babebodwa egangeni.

10:9  Lapho uJowabi ebona ukuthi impi ikhangele kuye ngaphambili langemuva, wakhetha kubo bonke abakhethiweyo koIsrayeli, wabahlela ukuthi bamelane lamaSiriya.

10:10  Abaseleyo babantu wasebanikela esandleni sikaAbishayi umfowabo, owabahlela ukuthi bamelane labantwana bakoAmoni.

10:11  Wasesithi: Uba amaSiriya elamandla kakhulu kulami, khona uzakuba lusizo kimi; kodwa uba abantwana bakoAmoni belamandla kakhulu kulawe, khona ngizakuza ukukusiza.

10:12  Qina, asiziqinise ngenxa yabantu bakithi, langenxa yemizi kaNkulunkulu wethu; iNkosi kayenze okuhle emehlweni ayo.

10:13  UJowabi wasesondela, labantu ababelaye, empini lamaSiriya; asebaleka phambi kwakhe.

10:14  Lapho abantwana bakoAmoni bebona ukuthi amaSiriya ayabaleka, labo babaleka phambi kukaAbishayi, bangena emzini. UJowabi wasebuyela esuka ebantwaneni bakoAmoni, weza eJerusalema.

10:15  AmaSiriya esebonile ukuthi atshayiwe phambi kukaIsrayeli, abuthana ndawonye.

10:16  UHadadezeri wasethumela, wakhupha amaSiriya ayengaphetsheya komfula, afika eHelamu, loShobaki induna yebutho likaHadadezeri phambi kwawo.

10:17  Lapho kubikelwa uDavida, wabuthanisa uIsrayeli wonke, wachapha iJordani, wafika eHelamu. AmaSiriya asezihlelela ukumelana loDavida, alwa laye.

10:18  AmaSiriya asebaleka phambi kukaIsrayeli; uDavida wasetshaya kumaSiriya izinqola ezingamakhulu ayisikhombisa, labagadi bamabhiza abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amane, watshaya uShobaki induna yebutho, owafela lapho.

10:19  Lapho wonke amakhosi, izinceku zikaHadadezeri, ebona ukuthi atshaywa phambi kukaIsrayeli, enza ukuthula loIsrayeli, abakhonza. Ngakho amaSiriya esaba ukusiza abantwana bakoAmoni futhi.

Chapter 11

11:1  Kwasekusithi ekuthwaseni komnyaka ngesikhathi amakhosi aphuma ngaso impi, uDavida wathuma uJowabi lenceku zakhe kanye laye loIsrayeli wonke; basebechitha abantwana bakoAmoni, bavimbezela iRaba. Kodwa uDavida wahlala eJerusalema.

11:2  Kwasekusithi ngesikhathi sakusihlwa uDavida wavuka embhedeni wakhe, wahambahamba phezu kophahla lwendlu yenkosi; esephahleni wasebona owesifazana egeza; njalo owesifazana wayemuhle kakhulu, ebukeka.

11:3  UDavida wasethuma wabuza ngalowowesifazana. Kwasekuthiwa: Lo kakusuye uBathisheba yini, indodakazi kaEliyamu, umkaUriya umHethi?

11:4  UDavida wasethuma izithunywa wamthatha, owesifazana weza kuye, walala laye (ngoba wayehlanjululiwe ekungcoleni kwakhe), wasebuyela endlini yakhe.

11:5  Owesifazana wasethatha isisu, wathumela watshela uDavida wathi: Sengilesisu.

11:6  UDavida wasethumela kuJowabi wathi: Thumela kimi uUriya umHethi. UJowabi wasethumela uUriya kuDavida.

11:7  Esefikile kuye uUriya, uDavida wambuza ngempilakahle kaJowabi langempilakahle yabantu langempumelelo yempi.

11:8  UDavida wasesithi kuUriya: Yehlela endlini yakho, ugeze inyawo zakho. U-Uriya wasephuma endlini yenkosi; kwasekulandela emva kwakhe isipho esivela enkosini.

11:9  Kodwa uUriya walala emnyango wendlu yenkosi kanye lenceku zonke zenkosi yakhe, kehlelanga endlini yakhe.

11:10  Kwathi sebemtshelile uDavida besithi: U-Uriya kehlelanga endlini yakhe, uDavida wathi kuUriya: Kawuveli ekuhambeni yini? Kungani ungehlelanga endlini yakho?

11:11  U-Uriya wasesithi kuDavida: Umtshokotsho, loIsrayeli, loJuda kuhlala emathenteni; lenkosi yami uJowabi lenceku zenkosi yami bamisile inkamba endle; mina-ke ngizangena endlini yami yini ukuyakudla lokuyanatha lokuyalala lomkami? Kuphila kwakho lokuphila komphefumulo wakho, kangisoze ngiyenze leyonto.

11:12  UDavida wasesithi kuUriya: Hlala lapha lalamuhla, kusasa-ke ngizakuvumela ukuthi uhambe. U-Uriya wasehlala eJerusalema ngalolosuku langosuku olulandelayo.

11:13  UDavida wasembiza ukuthi adle anathe phambi kwakhe, wamdakisa; njalo kusihlwa waphuma ukuyalala embhedeni wakhe kanye lenceku zenkosi yakhe, kodwa kehlelanga endlini yakhe.

11:14  Kwasekusithi ekuseni uDavida wabhalela uJowabi incwadi, wayithumela ngesandla sikaUriya.

11:15  Wasebhala encwadini esithi: Misani uUriya phambili eqondene lokulwa okutshisayo kakhulu, beselihlehlela nyovane lisuka kuye, ukuze atshaywe afe.

11:16  Kwasekusithi lapho uJowabi esewukhangelisisile umuzi, wamisa uUriya endaweni azi ukuthi kulamaqhawe khona.

11:17  Amadoda omuzi asephuma alwa loJowabi; kwawa abanye babantu, benceku zikaDavida; wafa laye uUriya umHethi.

11:18  UJowabi wasethuma wambikela uDavida zonke indaba zempi;

11:19  wasilaya isithunywa esithi: Lapho usuqedile ukuyibikela inkosi zonke izindaba zempi,

11:20  kuzakuthi-ke uba ulaka lwenkosi luvuka, isithi kuwe: Belisondelelani kangaka emzini ukulwa? Belingazi yini ukuthi bebezaciba besemdulini?

11:21  Ngubani owatshaya uAbhimeleki indodana kaJerubeshethi? Angithi owesifazana wamwisela ngocezu lwelitshe lokuchola ephezu komduli, waze wafa eThebezi? Lisondeleleni eduze lomduli? Ubususithi: Inceku yakho uUriya umHethi laye ufile.

11:22  Sasesihamba isithunywa, safika sambikela uDavida konke uJowabi ayesithume khona.

11:23  Isithunywa sasesisithi kuDavida: Isibili, abantu basehlula, basiphumela egangeni; kodwa saba phezu kwabo kwaze kwaba semnyango wesango.

11:24  Abatshoki basebetshoka ezincekwini zakho bephezu komduli; zifile lezinye zenceku zenkosi; lenceku yakho uUriya umHethi ifile layo.

11:25  UDavida wasesithi kuso isithunywa: Uzakutsho njalo kuJowabi uthi: Le into kayingabimbi emehlweni akho, ngoba inkemba idla omunye njengomunye; qinisa impi yakho imelane lomuzi, uwuchithe; ubusumqinisa.

11:26  Lapho umkaUriya esezwile ukuthi uUriya indoda yakhe ufile, wayililela indoda yakhe.

11:27  Sekwedlulile ukulila, uDavida wathuma, wamletha endlini yakhe; wasesiba ngumkakhe, wamzalela indodana. Kodwa leyonto uDavida ayenzayo yayimbi emehlweni eNkosi.

Chapter 12

12:1  INkosi yasithuma uNathani kuDavida. Wasefika kuye wathi kuye: Kwakukhona amadoda amabili emzini owodwa; enye inothile, lenye ingumyanga.

12:2  Enothileyo yayilezimvu lenkomo ezinengi kakhulu.

12:3  Kodwa engumyanga yayingelalutho ngaphandle kwewundlu elincinyane elilodwa elisikazi eyayilithengile, yalondla; lakhula layo, njalo labantwana bayo ndawonye. Ladla okocezu lwayo, lanatha okwenkezo yayo; lalala esifubeni sayo, lalinjengendodakazi kiyo.

12:4  Kwasekufika isihambi endodeni enothileyo; yasiyekela ukuthatha ezimvini zayo lenkomeni zayo ukulungisela isihambi esasifike kiyo, kodwa yathatha iwundlu elisikazi lendoda engumyanga, yalilungisela umuntu owayefike kiyo.

12:5  Ulaka lukaDavida lwaseluvuthela lowomuntu kakhulu, wathi kuNathani: Kuphila kukaJehova, isibili umuntu owenze lokho uyindodana yokufa.

12:6  Njalo uzalibuyisela iwundlu elisikazi liphindwe kane, ngenxa yokuthi enze le into langenxa yokuthi engabanga lozwelo.

12:7  UNathani wasesithi kuDavida: Nguwe lowomuntu! Itsho njalo iNkosi uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli: Ngakugcoba waba yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli, ngakukhulula esandleni sikaSawuli.

12:8  Ngakunika indlu yenkosi yakho labafazi benkosi yakho esifubeni sakho, ngakunika indlu kaIsrayeli lekaJuda; uba-ke bekukuncinyane, bengingakwengezelela okunje lokunje.

12:9  Udeleleleni ilizwi leNkosi ukuthi wenze okubi emehlweni ayo? U-Uriya umHethi umtshayile ngenkemba, lomkakhe wamthatha waba ngumkakho, laye umbulele ngenkemba yabantwana bakoAmoni.

12:10  Ngakho-ke inkemba kayiyikusuka endlini yakho kuze kube nininini, ngenxa yokuthi ungidelele, wathatha umkaUriya umHethi ukuthi abe ngumkakho.

12:11  Itsho njalo iNkosi: Khangela, ngizakuvusela okubi kuvela endlini yakho, ngithathe omkakho phambi kwamehlo akho, ngibanike umakhelwane wakho, alale labomkakho phambi kwalelilanga.

12:12  Ngoba wena wakwenza ensitha, kodwa mina ngizakwenza le into phambi kukaIsrayeli wonke laphambi kwelanga.

12:13  UDavida wasesithi kuNathani: Ngonile eNkosini. UNathani wasesithi kuDavida: LeNkosi isusile isono sakho; kawuyikufa.

12:14  Loba kunjalo, ngoba wenze izitha zeNkosi zidelele lokudelela ngalindaba, laye umntwana ozalelwe wena uzakufa lokufa.

12:15  UNathani wasesiya endlini yakhe. INkosi yasimtshaya umntwana umkaUriya amzalela uDavida, wagula kakhulu.

12:16  Ngakho uDavida wamncengela umntwana kuNkulunkulu; uDavida wasezila izilo lokudla, wangena, walala emhlabathini ubusuku bonke.

12:17  Abadala bendlu yakhe basebesukuma baya kuye ukumvusa emhlabathini; kodwa kafunanga, futhi kadlanga ukudla labo.

12:18  Kwasekusithi ngosuku lwesikhombisa umntwana wafa. Izinceku zikaDavida zasezisesaba ukumtshela ukuthi umntwana ufile; ngoba zathi: Khangela, umntwana esaphila sakhuluma laye, kalalelanga ilizwi lethu; pho, singamtshela njani ukuthi umntwana ufile? Angazilimaza.

12:19  Kodwa uDavida ebona ukuthi inceku zakhe ziyanyenyezelana, uDavida waqedisisa ukuthi umntwana usefile; ngakho uDavida wathi ezincekwini zakhe: Umntwana usefile yini? Zasezisithi: Usefile.

12:20  UDavida wasevuka emhlabathini, wageza, wagcoba, wantshintsha izigqoko zakhe, wangena endlini yeNkosi, wakhonza; wasesiya endlini yakhe, wacela, babeka ukudla phambi kwakhe, wadla.

12:21  Inceku zakhe zasezisithi kuye: Iyini le into oyenzileyo? Ngenxa yomntwana ophilayo uzile ukudla wakhala inyembezi; kodwa lapho umntwana esefile, uvukile wadla isinkwa.

12:22  Wasesithi: Umntwana esaphila, ngizile ukudla, ngakhala inyembezi, ngoba ngathi: Ngubani owaziyo iNkosi ingangihawukela ukuthi umntwana aphile.

12:23  Kodwa khathesi usefile, ngizazilelani? Ngilakho ukumbuyisa yini futhi? Ngizakuya kuye, kodwa yena kayikubuyela kimi.

12:24  UDavida wasemduduza uBathisheba umkakhe, wangena kuye, walala laye; wazala indodana, wabiza ibizo layo wathi nguSolomoni. UJehova wasemthanda.

12:25  Wasethuma ngesandla sikaNathani umprofethi, wabiza ibizo layo wathi nguJedidiya, ngenxa kaJehova.

12:26  UJowabi walwa-ke leRaba eyabantwana bakoAmoni, wathumba umuzi wobukhosi.

12:27  UJowabi wasethuma izithunywa kuDavida wathi: Ngilwe leRaba, njalo ngathumba umuzi wamanzi.

12:28  Ngakho-ke buthanisa abantu abaseleyo, umise inkamba maqondana lomuzi, uwuthumbe, hlezi mina ngiwuthumbe umuzi, lebizo lami libizwe phezu kwawo.

12:29  UDavida wasebuthanisa bonke abantu, waya eRaba, walwa layo, wayithumba.

12:30  Wasethatha umqhele wenkosi ekhanda lakhe, osisindo sawo sasilithalenta legolide lelitshe eliligugu, waba sekhanda likaDavida. Wasekhipha impango yomuzi enengi kakhulu.

12:31  Wakhupha labantu ababephakathi kwawo, wababeka emasaheni, lezikhalini ezicijileyo zensimbi, lemahlokeni ensimbi, wabadlulisa emahondweni ezitina; wenza njalo kuyo yonke imizi yabantwana bakoAmoni. UDavida labo bonke abantu basebebuyela eJerusalema.

Chapter 13

13:1  Kwasekusithi emva kwalokho uAbisalomu indodana kaDavida wayelodadewabo omuhle, obizo lakhe lalinguTamari; uAmnoni indodana kaDavida wasemthanda.

13:2  UAmnoni wasehlupheka kakhulu waze wagula ngenxa kaTamari udadewabo; ngoba wayeyintombi emsulwa, kwasekusiba nzima emehlweni kaAmnoni ukwenza ulutho kuye.

13:3  Kodwa uAmnoni wayelomngane, obizo lakhe lalinguJonadabi indodana kaShimeya umfowabo kaDavida; njalo uJonadabi wayengumuntu olobuqili kakhulu.

13:4  Wasesithi kuye: Kungani wena, indodana yenkosi, ucaka kangaka ukusa ngokusa? Ungengitshele yini? UAmnoni wasesithi kuye: Ngiyamthanda uTamari udadewabo kaAbisalomu umfowethu.

13:5  UJonadabi wasesithi kuye: Lala embhedeni wakho, uzitshaye ogulayo; lapho uyihlo efika ukukubona, uzakuthi kuye: Ake kuze uTamari udadewethu, anginike ukudla, akulungise ukudla phambi kwamehlo ami, ukuze ngikubone, ngidle esandleni sakhe.

13:6  Waselala phansi uAmnoni, wazitshaya ogulayo; lapho inkosi ifika ukuzambona, uAmnoni wathi enkosini: Ake kuze uTamari udadewethu, enze amaqebelengwana amabili phambi kwamehlo ami ukuthi ngidle esandleni sakhe.

13:7  UDavida wasethumela endlini kuTamari esithi: Yana khathesi endlini yomfowenu uAmnoni, umenzele ukudla.

13:8  Ngakho uTamari waya endlini kaAmnoni umfowabo, owayelele phansi. Wathatha inhlama, wayixova, wenza amaqebelengwana phambi kwamehlo akhe, wapheka amaqebelengwana.

13:9  Wasethatha ipani, wawathulula phambi kwakhe, kodwa wala ukudla; uAmnoni wasesithi: Khupha wonke umuntu kimi. Basebephuma, wonke umuntu kuye.

13:10  UAmnoni wasesithi kuTamari: Letha ukudla ekamelweni ukuze ngidle esandleni sakho. UTamari wasethatha amaqebelengwana ayewenzile, wawangenisa ekamelweni kuAmnoni umnewabo.

13:11  Lapho ewasondeza kuye ukuthi adle, wambamba, wathi kuye: Woza ulale lami, dadewethu.

13:12  Wasesithi kuye: Hatshi mnewethu, ungangibhinyi, ngoba okunje kakwenziwa koIsrayeli, ungenzi lobubuwula.

13:13  Mina-ke ngingalisa ngaphi ihlazo lami? Lawe uzakuba njengomunye weziphukuphuku koIsrayeli. Ngalokho-ke, ake ukhulume lenkosi, ngoba kayiyikungigodla kuwe.

13:14  Kodwa kafunanga ukulalela ilizwi lakhe; kodwa elamandla kulaye, wambhinya walala laye.

13:15  UAmnoni wasemzonda ngenzondo enkulu kakhulu; ngoba inzondo amzonda ngayo yayinkulu kulothando ayemthande ngalo. UAmnoni wasesithi kuye: Vuka uhambe.

13:16  Yena wasesithi kuye: Kakulazizatho; lobububi bokungixotsha bukhulu okwedlula obunye obenze kimi. Kodwa kafunanga ukumlalela.

13:17  Wasebiza inceku yakhe eyayisebenza kuye, wathi: Umkhuphele phandle lo khathesi asuke kimi, unxibe umnyango emva kwakhe.

13:18  Njalo wayegqoke isigqoko esilemibalabala, ngoba amadodakazi enkosi ayizintombi ezimsulwa ayegqoka izigqoko ezinjalo. Inceku yasimkhuphela phandle, yanxiba umnyango emva kwakhe.

13:19  UTamari wasezithela ngomlotha ekhanda, wadabula isigqoko sakhe esilemibalabala ayesigqokile, wathwala imikhono ekhanda, wahamba, ehamba ekhala.

13:20  UAbisalomu umnewabo wasesithi kuye: UAminoni umnewenu kade elawe yini? Ngakho-ke, thula, dadewethu, ungumnewenu; ungabeki inhliziyo yakho kulindaba. Ngakho uTamari wahlala eyedwa endlini kaAbisalomu umnewabo.

13:21  Inkosi uDavida isizwile zonke lezizinto yathukuthela kakhulu.

13:22  UAbisalomu kakhulumanga loAmnoni okuhle kumbe okubi, ngoba uAbisalomu wamzonda uAmnoni, ngenxa yokuthi wayebhinye uTamari udadewabo.

13:23  Kwasekusithi emva kweminyaka emibili epheleleyo uAbisalomu wayelabagundi bezimvu eBhali-Hazori eliseceleni kweEfrayimi; uAbisalomu wasenxusa wonke amadodana enkosi.

13:24  UAbisalomu wasesiza enkosini wathi: Khangela khathesi, inceku yakho ilabagundi; inkosi ake ihambe lenceku zayo lenceku yakho.

13:25  Kodwa inkosi yathi kuAbisalomu: Hatshi, ndodana yami, ake singahambi sonke, hlezi sibe ngumthwalo kuwe. Wayibamba ngamandla kodwa kayivumanga ukuhamba, kodwa yambusisa.

13:26  UAbisalomu wasesithi: Uba kungenjalo, ake ahambe lathi uAmnoni umfowethu. Inkosi yasisithi kuye: Uzahambelani lawe?

13:27  UAbisalomu eseyicindezele, yabayekela oAmnoni lawo wonke amadodana enkosi ahamba laye.

13:28  UAbisalomu waselaya inceku zakhe esithi: Khangelani-ke, nxa inhliziyo kaAmnoni isithokoza ngewayini, lapho ngisithi kini: Tshayani uAmnoni, beselimbulala; lingesabi; angithi ngoba mina ngililayile? Qinani, libe ngamaqhawe.

13:29  Izinceku zikaAbisalomu zasezisenza kuAmnoni njengokulaya kukaAbisalomu. Amadodana wonke enkosi asesukuma, agada, ngulowo lalowo imbongolo yakhe, abaleka.

13:30  Kwasekusithi besesendleleni, kwafika umbiko kuDavida usithi: UAbisalomu utshaye wonke amadodana enkosi, kakusalanga leyodwa yawo.

13:31  Inkosi yasisukuma yadabula izigqoko zayo, yalala emhlabathini; lazo zonke inceku zayo zazimi izigqoko zidatshuliwe.

13:32  UJonadabi indodana kaShimeya, umfowabo kaDavida, wasephendula wathi: Inkosi yami kayingathi babulele wonke amajaha, amadodana enkosi, ngoba nguAmnoni yedwa ofileyo; ngoba ngomlomo kaAbisalomu kwanqunywa kusukela osukwini abhinya ngalo udadewabo uTamari.

13:33  Ngakho-ke inkosi yami, inkosi, kayingayibeki indaba enhliziyweni yayo, ukuthi wonke amadodana enkosi afile, ngoba nguAmnoni yedwa ofileyo.

13:34  Kodwa uAbisalomu wabaleka. Ijaha elilindayo laseliphakamisa amehlo alo, labona, khangela-ke, abantu abanengi babesiza ngendlela emva kwalo ehlangothini lwentaba.

13:35  UJonadabi wasesithi enkosini: Khangela, amadodana enkosi ayeza; njengokwelizwi lenceku yakho, kunjalo.

13:36  Kwasekusithi ekuqedeni kwakhe ukukhuluma, khangela, afika amadodana enkosi, aphakamisa ilizwi lawo, akhala inyembezi; lenkosi layo lazo zonke inceku zayo bakhala inyembezi ngokukhala okukhulukazi.

13:37  Kodwa uAbisalomu wabaleka waya kuTalimayi indodana kaAmihudi inkosi yeGeshuri. UDavida waselilela indodana yakhe insuku zonke.

13:38  Wabaleka-ke uAbisalomu, waya eGeshuri, waba lapho iminyaka emithathu.

13:39  Inhliziyo kaDavida inkosi yasikhanuka kakhulu ukuphuma iye kuAbisalomu, ngoba wayeseduduzekile ngoAmnoni ukuthi ufile.

Chapter 14

14:1  UJowabi indodana kaZeruya wasenanzelela ukuthi inhliziyo yenkosi ikuAbisalomu.

14:2  UJowabi wasethumela eThekhowa ukuthi alande khona owesifazana ohlakaniphileyo, wathi kuye: Ake uzitshaye olilayo, ake ugqoke izigqoko zokulila, ungazigcobi ngamafutha, kodwa ube njengowesifazana oselilele ofileyo insuku ezinengi.

14:3  Ungene enkosini, ukhulume kuyo ngalindlela. UJowabi wasefaka amazwi emlonyeni wakhe.

14:4  Lapho owesifazana umThekhowa ekhuluma enkosini, wathi mbo ngobuso bakhe emhlabathini, wakhothama, wathi: Siza, nkosi!

14:5  Inkosi yasisithi kuye: Ulani? Yena wasesithi: Sibili, ngingumfazi ongumfelokazi, lendoda yami yafa.

14:6  Njalo incekukazi yakho yayilamadodana amabili, alwa womabili egangeni; kwakungelamlamuli phakathi kwawo; enye yasitshaya enye, yayibulala.

14:7  Khangela-ke, usendo lonke seluvukele incekukazi yakho, bathi: Nikela lowo owatshaya umfowabo wambulala, ukuthi simbulale ngenxa yempilo yomfowabo ambulalayo, sichithe lendlalifa. Ngalokho bacitshe ilahle lami eliseleyo, ukuze bangatshiyeli indoda yami ibizo lensali ebusweni bomhlaba.

14:8  Inkosi yasisithi kowesifazana: Yana endlini yakho; mina-ke ngizalaya ngawe.

14:9  Owesifazana umThekhowa wasesithi enkosini: Nkosi yami, nkosi, icala kalibe phezu kwami laphezu kwendlu kababa; kodwa inkosi lesihlalo sayo sobukhosi kube msulwa.

14:10  Inkosi yasisithi: Okhuluma ulutho kuwe, umlethe kimi, njalo kayikuphinda akuthinte futhi.

14:11  Wasesithi: Inkosi ake ikhumbule iNkosi uNkulunkulu wayo ukuthi umphindiseli wegazi angabe esachitha, hlezi bachithe indodana yami. Yasisithi: Kuphila kukaJehova, kakuyikuwela emhlabathini olulodwa unwele lwendodana yakho.

14:12  Owesifazana wasesithi: Incekukazi yakho ake ikhulume ilizwi enkosini yami inkosi. Yasisithi: Khuluma.

14:13  Owesifazana wasesithi: Pho, unakaneleni okunje ngabantu bakaNkulunkulu? Ngokukhuluma lindaba inkosi injengolecala, ngokuthi inkosi kayibuyisanga oxotshiweyo wayo.

14:14  Ngoba kumele sife, sinjengamanzi achithekele emhlabathini angabuthwanga; kodwa uNkulunkulu kayikususa impilo, kodwa uzacabanga amacebo ukuthi angalahli kuye oxotshiweyo.

14:15  Ngakho-ke, njengoba ngizile ukukhuluma linto enkosini, inkosi yami, kungoba abantu bangesabisile; incekukazi yakho yasisithi: Khathesi ngizakhuluma lenkosi; mhlawumbe inkosi izakwenza ilizwi lencekukazi yayo.

14:16  Ngoba inkosi izakuzwa, ukukhulula incekukazi yayo esandleni somuntu ofuna ukuchitha mina kanye lendodana yami elifeni likaNkulunkulu.

14:17  Incekukazi yakho yasisithi: Akuthi ilizwi lenkosi yami, inkosi, libe ngelokuthula, ngoba njengengilosi kaNkulunkulu, injalo inkosi yami, inkosi, ukuzwa okubi lokuhle. Ngakho iNkosi uNkulunkulu wakho kayibe lawe.

14:18  Inkosi yasiphendula yathi kowesifazana: Ake ungangifihleli indaba engizayibuza kuwe. Owesifazana wasesithi: Ake ikhulume inkosi yami, inkosi.

14:19  Inkosi yasisithi: Isandla sikaJowabi silawe yini kukho konke lokhu? Owesifazana wasephendula wathi: Kuphila komphefumulo wakho, nkosi yami, nkosi, isibili kakho ongaya ngakwesokunene langakwesokhohlo asuke lakuyiphi into inkosi yami, inkosi, eyikhulumileyo; ngoba inceku yakho uJowabi, yona yangilaya, yiyo eyafunza incekukazi yakho wonke lamazwi.

14:20  Inceku yakho uJowabi iyenzile linto ukuthi iphendule ukuma kwendaba. Njalo inkosi yami ihlakaniphile njengenhlakanipho yengilosi kaNkulunkulu, ukwazi konke okusemhlabeni.

14:21  Inkosi yasisithi kuJowabi: Khangela khathesi, ngenzile lindaba; ngakho hamba ubuyise umfana uAbisalomu.

14:22  UJowabi wasesithi mbo ngobuso emhlabathini, wakhothama, wayibusisa inkosi; uJowabi wasesithi: Lamuhla inceku yakho iyazi ukuthi ngithole umusa emehlweni akho, nkosi yami, nkosi, ngokuthi inkosi yenzile indaba yenceku yayo.

14:23  Wasesuka uJowabi, waya eGeshuri, wamletha uAbisalomu eJerusalema.

14:24  Inkosi yasisithi: Kaphendukele endlini yakhe, angaboni ubuso bami. Ngakho uAbisalomu waphendukela endlini yakhe, kabonanga ubuso benkosi.

14:25  KoIsrayeli wonke-ke kwakungelamuntu onjengoAbisalomu ukudunyiswa kakhulu ngobuhle; kwakungelasici kuye kusukela kungaphansi yonyawo lwakhe kuze kufike enkanda yakhe.

14:26  Nxa ephuca ikhanda lakhe - ngoba kwakusithi ekupheleni kwawo wonke umnyaka aliphuce, ngoba zazinzima kuye, ngakho waliphuca - walinganisa inwele zekhanda lakhe, amashekeli angamakhulu amabili ngesilinganiso senkosi.

14:27  Kwasekuzalelwa uAbisalomu amadodana amathathu lendodakazi eyodwa, obizo layo lalinguTamari; wayengowesifazana omuhle ebukeka.

14:28  UAbisalomu wasehlala eJerusalema iminyaka emibili epheleleyo, kabonanga ubuso benkosi.

14:29  UAbisalomu wasethumela kuJowabi ukuthi amthume enkosini; kodwa kavumanga ukuza kuye. Waphinda wathumela ngokwesibili, kodwa kavumanga ukuza.

14:30  Wasesithi ezincekwini zakhe: Bonani, isabelo sikaJowabi siseceleni kwesami, njalo ulebhali* lapho; hambani lisithungele ngomlilo. Izinceku zikaAbisalomu zasezithungela isabelo ngomlilo.

14:31  Wasesuka uJowabi weza kuAbisalomu endlini, wathi kuye: Izinceku zakho zithungeleleni isabelo esingesami ngomlilo?

14:32  UAbisalomu wasesithi kuJowabi: Khangela, ngithumele kuwe ngisithi: Woza lapha, ukuze ngikuthume enkosini, ukuthi: Ngibuyeleni ngisuka eGeshuri? Bekukuhle kimi ukuthi ngabe ngilokhu ngikhonale. Ngakho-ke kangibone ubuso benkosi; njalo uba kulecala kimi, kayingibulale.

14:33  Ngakho uJowabi weza enkosini, wayitshela; isimbizile uAbisalomu weza enkosini, wayikhothamela ngobuso bakhe emhlabathini, phambi kwenkosi; inkosi yasimanga uAbisalomu.

Chapter 15

15:1  Kwasekusithi emva kwalokhu uAbisalomu wazilungisela izinqola lamabhiza, labantu abangamatshumi amahlanu begijima phambi kwakhe.

15:2  UAbisalomu wayesevuka ekuseni kakhulu eme eceleni kwendlela yesango; kwakusithi wonke umuntu olecala lomthetho eliya enkosini ukwahlulelwa, uAbisalomu ambize athi: Ungowawuphi umuzi? Lapho esithi: Inceku yakho ingowesinye sezizwe zakoIsrayeli;

15:3  uAbisalomu abesesithi kuye: Bona, indaba zakho zinhle zilungile, kodwa kakho owenkosi ukuthi akuzwe.

15:4  UAbisalomu abesesithi: Kungathi ngabe ngibekwe umahluleli elizweni, ukuthi wonke umuntu olecala lomthetho lodaba angeza kimi, njalo bengizamlungisela.

15:5  Kwakusithi lapho kusondela umuntu ukumkhothamela, elule isandla sakhe, ambambe, amange.

15:6  UAbisalomu wasesenza ngalindlela kuIsrayeli wonke, bona abeza enkosini ukwahlulelwa; ngalokho uAbisalomu wathumba inhliziyo yamadoda akoIsrayeli.

15:7  Kwasekusithi ekupheleni kweminyaka engamatshumi amane uAbisalomu wathi enkosini: Ake ngiyekhokha isithembiso sami engasithembisa eNkosini eHebroni.

15:8  Ngoba inceku yakho yathembisa isithembiso ngisahlala eGeshuri eSiriya ngisithi: Uba iNkosi ingibuyisela lokungibuyisela eJerusalema, ngizayikhonza iNkosi.

15:9  Inkosi yasisithi kuye: Hamba ngokuthula. Wasesukuma waya eHebroni.

15:10  Kodwa uAbisalomu wathuma izinhloli ezizweni zonke zakoIsrayeli esithi: Lapho lisizwa ukukhala kophondo, lizakuthi: UAbisalomu uyinkosi eHebroni!

15:11  Kwasekuhamba loAbisalomu amadoda angamakhulu amabili esuka eJerusalema, anxusiweyo, ahamba ebuqothweni bawo, njalo engazi lutho.

15:12  UAbisalomu wasethumela wabiza uAhithofeli weGilo, umeluleki kaDavida, esuka emzini wakhe, eGilo, esahlaba imihlatshelo. Njalo ugobe lwaqina, labantu bahamba banda kuAbisalomu.

15:13  Kwasekufika isithunywa kuDavida, sisithi: Inhliziyo yabantu bakoIsrayeli ilandela uAbisalomu.

15:14  Wasesithi uDavida ezincekwini zakhe zonke ezazilaye eJerusalema: Sukumani, sibaleke, ngoba kasilakuphepha ebusweni bukaAbisalomu. Phangisani ukuhamba, hlezi aphangise asifice, asehlisele okubi, atshaye umuzi ngobukhali benkemba.

15:15  Izinceku zenkosi zasezisithi enkosini: Njengakho konke inkosi, inkosi yami, ekukhethayo, khangela, nanzi inceku zakho.

15:16  Yasiphuma inkosi, layo yonke indlu yayo iyilandela. Inkosi yasitshiya abafazi abalitshumi, abafazi abancane, ukuze balinde indlu.

15:17  Yasiphuma inkosi, labo bonke abantu beyilandela; bema endlini ekhatshana.

15:18  Lazo zonke inceku zayo zedlula eceleni kwayo, njalo wonke amaKerethi lawo wonke amaPelethi lawo wonke amaGiti, amadoda angamakhulu ayisithupha, eza amlandela evela eGati, edlula phambi kwenkosi.

15:19  Inkosi yasisithi kuIthayi umGiti: Lawe uhambelani lathi? Buyela uhlale lenkosi, ngoba ungowezizweni njalo ungumxotshwa endaweni yakho.

15:20  Ufike izolo; pho, lamuhla ngikuzulazulise ngokuhamba lathi, njengoba ngiya lapho engiya khona? Buyela ubuyisele abafowenu. Umusa leqiniso kakube lawe.

15:21  Kodwa uIthayi wayiphendula inkosi wathi: Kuphila kukaJehova, njalo kuphila kwenkosi yami, inkosi, isibili kuleyondawo lapho inkosi yami, inkosi, ezakuba kiyo, loba kusekufeni loba kusekuphileni, lalapho izakuba khona inceku yakho.

15:22  UDavida wasesithi kuIthayi: Hamba, uchaphe. UIthayi umGiti wasechapha kanye labantu bakhe bonke labantwanyana ababelaye.

15:23  Ilizwe lonke lakhala inyembezi ngelizwi elikhulu, njalo abantu bonke bachapha. Inkosi yasichapha isifula iKidroni, labantu bonke bachapha, ngasendleleni yenkangala.

15:24  Njalo khangela, uZadoki laye lawo wonke amaLevi elaye, bethwele umtshokotsho wesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu, bawubeka phansi umtshokotsho kaNkulunkulu; uAbhiyatha wasesenyuka, abantu bonke baze baphela ukudlula bephuma emzini.

15:25  Inkosi yasisithi kuZadoki: Buyisela umtshokotsho kaNkulunkulu emzini. Uba ngizathola umusa emehlweni eNkosi, izangibuyisa ingitshengise wona kanye lendawo yayo yokuhlala.

15:26  Kodwa uba isitsho njalo, ithi: Kangithokozi ngawe; khangela ngilapha, kayenze kimi njengokuhle emehlweni ayo.

15:27  Inkosi yasisithi kuZadoki umpristi: Ungumboni yini? Buyela emzini ngokuthula, loAhimahazi indodana yakho loJonathani indodana kaAbhiyatha, amadodana enu womabili elani.

15:28  Bona, ngizalinda emazibukweni enkangala, kuze kufike ilizwi elivela kini lokungibikela.

15:29  Ngakho uZadoki loAbhiyatha bawubuyisela umtshokotsho kaNkulunkulu eJerusalema, bahlala khona.

15:30  UDavida wasesenyuka ngomqanso wemihlwathi, esenyuka ekhala inyembezi, embomboze ikhanda lakhe, wahamba engelamanyathela; labo bonke abantu ababelaye bambomboza, ngulowo lalowo ikhanda lakhe, benyuka, besenyuka bekhala inyembezi.

15:31  Kwasekubikwa kuDavida kwathiwa: UAhithofeli uphakathi kwabakugobe loAbisalomu. UDavida wasesithi: Nkosi, ake enze icebo likaAhithofeli libe yibuthutha.

15:32  Kwasekusithi uDavida esefike engqongeni lapho ayekhonza khona uNkulunkulu, khangela, uHushayi umArki wamhlangabeza, isembatho sakhe sidatshuliwe, lenhlabathi isekhanda lakhe.

15:33  UDavida wasesithi kuye: Uba usedlula lami, uzakuba ngumthwalo kimi.

15:34  Kodwa uba ubuyela emzini uthi kuAbisalomu: Ngizakuba yinceku yakho, nkosi; kade ngiyinceku kayihlo, kodwa khathesi sengizakuba yinceku yakho; khona uzangichithela icebo likaAhithofeli.

15:35  Njalo kabakho yini kanye lawe lapho oZadoki loAbhiyatha abapristi? Ngakho kuzakuthi yonke indaba oyizwayo endlini yenkosi, uyitshele oZadoki loAbhiyatha abapristi.

15:36  Khangela, kukhona lapho kanye labo amadodana abo amabili, uAhimahazi okaZadoki, loJonathani okaAbhiyatha; njalo uzathumela ngesandla sabo kimi yonke into ozayizwa.

15:37  UHushayi umngane kaDavida wasefika emzini, loAbisalomu wafika eJerusalema.

Chapter 16

16:1  Kwathi uDavida esedlule kancinyane engqongeni, khangela, uZiba inceku kaMefiboshethi wamhlangabeza elabobabhemi ababili belezihlalo, bethwele izinkwa ezingamakhulu amabili, lamahlukuzo alikhulu ezithelo ezonyisiweyo zevini, lezithelo zehlobo ezilikhulu, lomgodla wewayini.

16:2  Inkosi yasisithi kuZiba: Uthini ngalezizinto? UZiba wasesithi: Obabhemi ngabendlu yenkosi ukuthi bagade, lezinkwa lezithelo zehlobo ngezamajaha ukuthi adle, lewayini ngelabaphelelwa ngamandla enkangala ukuthi banathe.

16:3  Inkosi yasisithi: Pho, ingaphi indodana yenkosi yakho? UZiba wasesithi enkosini: Khangela, uhlezi eJerusalema, ngoba uthe: Lamuhla uIsrayeli uzabuyisela kimi umbuso kababa.

16:4  Inkosi yasisithi kuZiba: Khangela, ngokwakho konke okukaMefiboshethi. UZiba wasesithi: Ngiyakhothama; kangithole umusa emehlweni akho, nkosi yami, nkosi.

16:5  Kwathi inkosi uDavida ifika eBahurimi, khangela, kwaphuma khona umuntu wosendo lwendlu kaSawuli, obizo lakhe linguShimeyi indodana kaGera; waphuma, ehamba ethuka.

16:6  Wasejikijela uDavida ngamatshe kanye lenceku zonke zenkosi uDavida, labo bonke abantu lamaqhawe wonke ngakwesokunene sakhe langakwesokhohlo sakhe.

16:7  Wasesitsho njalo uShimeyi ekuthukeni kwakhe: Phuma, phuma, muntu wegazi, muntu kaBheliyali!

16:8  INkosi ibuyisele phezu kwakho lonke igazi lendlu kaSawuli obubusa esikhundleni sakhe; iNkosi inikele umbuso esandleni sikaAbisalomu indodana yakho. Khangela, usebubini bakho, ngoba ungumuntu omele igazi.

16:9  UAbishayi indodana kaZeruya wasesithi enkosini: Linja efileyo iyithukelani inkosi yami, inkosi? Ake ngedlule ngisuse ikhanda layo.

16:10  Kodwa inkosi yathi: Ngilani lani, madodana kaZeruya? Ngakho kathuke, ngoba iNkosi ithe kuye: Thuka uDavida; pho, ngubani ozakuthi: Wenzeleni njalo?

16:11  UDavida wasesithi kuAbishayi lakuzo zonke inceku zakhe: Khangela, indodana yami, ephume emibilini yami, idinga impilo yami; kangakanani-ke lumBhenjamini? Myekeleni, athuke, ngoba iNkosi ikhulumile kuye.

16:12  Mhlawumbe iNkosi izabona usizi lwami, iNkosi ingibuyisele okuhle esikhundleni sokuthuka kwakhe lamuhla.

16:13  UDavida labantu bakhe basebehamba ngendlela; loShimeyi ehamba eceleni kwentaba maqondana laye, ehamba ethuka, emjikijela ngamatshe, emthela ngothuli.

16:14  Inkosi labo bonke abantu ababelayo bafika sebekhathele; yasihlumelela khona.

16:15  UAbisalomu labantu bonke, amadoda akoIsrayeli, basebefika eJerusalema, loAhithofeli elaye.

16:16  Kwasekusithi lapho uHushayi umArki, umngane kaDavida, esefike kuAbisalomu, uHushayi wathi kuAbisalomu: Kayiphile inkosi! Kayiphile inkosi!

16:17  UAbisalomu wasesithi kuHushayi: Yiwo umusa wakho kumngane wakho yini? Kungani ungahambanga lomngane wakho?

16:18  UHushayi wasesithi kuAbisalomu: Hatshi, kodwa lowo emkhethayo iNkosi, lalababantu, lawo wonke amadoda akoIsrayeli, ngizakuba ngowakhe, njalo ngihlale laye.

16:19  Ngokwesibili, mina ngizakhonza bani? Kungabi phambi kobuso bendodana yakhe na? Njengoba ngakhonza phambi kukayihlo, ngokunjalo ngizakuba phambi kwakho.

16:20  UAbisalomu wasesithi kuAhithofeli: Phanini iseluleko senu ukuthi sizakwenza njani?

16:21  UAhithofeli wasesithi kuAbisalomu: Ngena kubafazi abancane bakayihlo abatshiye ukulinda indlu; loIsrayeli wonke uzakuzwa ukuthi ulevumba kuyihlo; khona izandla zabo bonke abalawe zizaqina.

16:22  Basebemendlalela uAbisalomu ithente phezu kophahla; uAbisalomu wasengena kubafazi abancane bakayise phambi kwamehlo kaIsrayeli wonke.

16:23  Iseluleko sikaAhithofeli aseluleka ngalezonsuku sasinjengomuntu ebuza ilizwi likaNkulunkulu; sasinjalo sonke iseluleko sikaAhithofeli kubo bobabili uDavida loAbisalomu.

Chapter 17

17:1  UAhithofeli wasesithi kuAbisalomu: Ake ngikhethe amadoda azinkulungwane ezilitshumi lambili, ngisukume ngixotshane loDavida ngalobubusuku.

17:2  Ngizamehlela esakhathele ebuthakathaka ezandleni, ngimethuse; labo bonke abantu abalaye bazabaleka; ngizatshaya inkosi kuphela.

17:3  Ngizabuyisela abantu bonke kuwe. Umuntu omdingayo ufanana lokubuya kwabo bonke. Bonke abantu bazakuba sekuthuleni.

17:4  Lalelilizwi lalilungile emehlweni kaAbisalomu lemehlweni abo bonke abadala bakoIsrayeli.

17:5  UAbisalomu wasesithi: Bizani-ke loHushayi umArki, sizwe ukuthi laye uthini ngomlomo.

17:6  UHushayi esefikile kuAbisalomu, uAbisalomu wakhuluma kuye esithi: UAhithofeli ukhulume ngalindlela: Senze ilizwi lakhe yini? Uba kungenjalo, khuluma wena.

17:7  UHushayi wasesithi kuAbisalomu: Iseluleko uAhithofeli aselulekileyo ngalesisikhathi kasisihle.

17:8  UHushayi wathi futhi: Wena uyamazi uyihlo labantu bakhe ukuthi bangamaqhawe, ukuthi bathukuthele enhliziyweni, njengebhere elithathelwe imidlwane egangeni. Futhi uyihlo yindoda yempi; kayikulala labantu ebusuku.

17:9  Khangela, khathesinje ucatshile komunye wemigodi, loba kwenye yezindawo. Kuzakuthi lapho abanye babo bewile ekuqaleni, kuthi loba ngubani ozwayo athi: Bekulokubulawa ebantwini abalandela uAbisalomu.

17:10  Kuthi laye olobuqhawe, onhliziyo yakhe injengenhliziyo yesilwane, ancibilike lokuncibilika; ngoba uIsrayeli wonke uyazi ukuthi uyihlo uliqhawe, lalabo abalaye balobuqhawe.

17:11  Ngakho ngiyeluleka ukuthi uIsrayeli wonke abuthane, abuthane kuwe kusukela koDani kuze kufike eBherishebha, ngangetshebetshebe eliselwandle ngobunengi, wena ngokwakho ubususiya empini.

17:12  Ngakho sizamehlela kwenye yezindawo lapho angatholakala khona, simehlele njengamazolo ewela emhlabathini; njalo kungasali kuye lebantwini bonke abalaye loyedwa.

17:13  Uba-ke engena emzini, uIsrayeli wonke uzaletha amagoda kulowomuzi, siwuhudulele esifuleni, kungabe kusatholwa lalitshana khona.

17:14  UAbisalomu lawo wonke amadoda akoIsrayeli basebesithi: Iseluleko sikaHushayi umArki singcono kuleseluleko sikaAhithofeli. Ngoba iNkosi uNkulunkulu yayilayile ukuthi kufutshiswe iseluleko esihle sikaAhithofeli ukuze iNkosi imehlisele okubi uAbisalomu.

17:15  UHushayi wasesithi kuZadoki lakuAbhiyatha abapristi: UAhithofeli weluleke uAbisalomu labadala bakoIsrayeli kanje lakanje; mina-ke ngeluleka kanje lakanje.

17:16  Ngakho-ke thumani masinyane litshele uDavida lithi: Ungalali emagcekeni enkangala kulobubusuku, futhi chapha lokuchapha, hlezi inkosi iginywe labantu bonke abalayo.

17:17  OJonathani loAhimahazi babemile-ke eEnirogeli; incekukazi yeza yabatshela, bona-ke bahamba babikela inkosi uDavida; ngoba babengelakubonwa bengena emzini.

17:18  Kodwa umfana othile wababona, wabikela uAbisalomu; kodwa bahamba masinyane bobabili, bayafika endlini yomuntu eBahurimi, owayelomthombo egumeni lakhe; behlela khona.

17:19  Owesifazana wasethatha wendlala isimbombozo phezu komlomo womthombo, wachaya amabele agigiweyo phezu kwaso; ngakho linto kayaziwanga.

17:20  Lapho zifika izinceku zikaAbisalomu kowesifazana endlini, zathi: Bangaphi oAhimahazi loJonathani? Owesifazana wasesithi kizo: Bachaphe isifula samanzi. Sezidingile, zingabatholanga, zabuyela eJerusalema.

17:21  Kwasekusithi sezihambile, benyuka emthonjeni baya bayitshela inkosi uDavida, bathi kuDavida: Sukani lichaphe amanzi masinyane, ngoba uAhithofeli weluleke njalo emelene lani.

17:22  UDavida wasesuka, labo bonke abantu ababelaye, bachapha iJordani; kuze kube sekukhanyeni kokusa kwakungasalanga loyedwa, ongayichaphanga iJordani.

17:23  Lapho uAhithofeli ebona ukuthi iseluleko sakhe asilandelwanga, wabophela isihlalo kubabhemi, wasuka waya endlini yakhe emzini wakhe, walaya indlu yakhe, waziphanyeka, wafa, wangcwatshelwa engcwabeni likayise.

17:24  UDavida wasefika eMahanayimi; uAbisalomu wasechapha iJordani, yena lamadoda wonke akoIsrayeli kanye laye.

17:25  UAbisalomu wayebeke-ke uAmasa phezu kwebutho esikhundleni sikaJowabi. Njalo uAmasa wayeyindodana yomuntu obizo lakhe lalinguIthira umIsrayeli, owangena kuAbigali indodakazi kaNahashi, udadewabo kaZeruya, unakaJowabi.

17:26  Ngakho uIsrayeli loAbisalomu bamisa inkamba elizweni leGileyadi.

17:27  Kwasekusithi uDavida esefikile eMahanayimi, uShobi indodana kaNahashi weRaba yabantwana bakoAmoni, loMakiri indodana kaAmiyeli weLodebari, loBarizilayi umGileyadi weRogelimi,

17:28  baletha amacansi, lemiganu, lendiwo zebumba, lengqoloyi, lebhali*, lempuphu, lamabele akhanzingiweyo, lendumba, lamalentili, lokunye okukhanzingiweyo,

17:29  lenyosi, lamasi, lezimvu, letshizi yenkomo, kusenzelwa uDavida labantu ababelaye ukuze badle; ngoba bathi: Abantu balambile badiniwe bomile enkangala.

Chapter 18

18:1  UDavida wasebala abantu ababelaye, wabeka phezu kwabo izinduna zezinkulungwane lenduna zamakhulu.

18:2  UDavida wasethuma ingxenye yesithathu yabantu ngaphansi kwesandla sikaJowabi, lengxenye yesithathu ngaphansi kwesandla sikaAbishayi indodana kaZeruya, umfowabo kaJowabi, lengxenye yesithathu ngaphansi kwesandla sikaIthayi umGiti. Inkosi yasisithi ebantwini: Lami ngizaphuma lokuphuma kanye lani.

18:3  Kodwa abantu bathi: Kawuyikuphuma. Ngoba uba sibaleka lokubaleka, kabayikusinaka; kumbe uba kusifa ingxenye yethu, kabayikuba landaba lathi. Kanti khathesi wena ulingana lenkulungwane ezilitshumi zethu; ngakho-ke kungcono ukuthi ube lusizo lwethu usemzini.

18:4  Inkosi yasisithi kibo: Lokho okulungileyo emehlweni enu ngizakwenza. Inkosi yasisima eceleni kwesango; bonke abantu basebephuma ngamakhulu langezinkulungwane.

18:5  Inkosi yasibalaya oJowabi loAbishayi loIthayi, isithi: Liliphathe kahle ijaha, uAbisalomu, ngenxa yami. Njalo bonke abantu bezwa lapho inkosi ilaya zonke izinduna indaba kaAbisalomu.

18:6  Abantu basebephumela egangeni ukuyakulwa bemelene loIsrayeli; njalo impi yayiseguswini lakoEfrayimi.

18:7  Abantu bakoIsrayeli basebetshaywa lapho phambi kwenceku zikaDavida, kwasekusiba khona ukubulala okukhulu ngalolosuku - abayizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili.

18:8  Ngoba impi yahlakazeka khona ebusweni belizwe lonke, njalo igusu ladla abantu abanengi ngalolosuku okwedlula labo inkemba eyabadlayo.

18:9  UAbisalomu wasehlangana lenceku zikaDavida. Njalo uAbisalomu wayegade imbongolo; kwathi imbongolo ifika ngaphansi kwengatsha ezihlangeneyo zesihlahla se-okhi elikhulu, ikhanda lakhe laselibambelela esihlahleni se-okhi; waselenga phakathi kwamazulu lomhlaba, njalo imbongolo engaphansi kwakhe yedlula.

18:10  Umuntu othile wasebona, watshela uJowabi wathi: Khangela, ngibone uAbisalomu elenga esihlahleni se-okhi.

18:11  UJowabi wasesithi kulowomuntu omtshelayo: Khangela-ke, umbonile, kungani-ke ungamtshayelanga emhlabathini khonapho? Bengizakunika inhlamvu ezilitshumi zesiliva lebhanti elilodwa.

18:12  Kodwa lowomuntu wathi kuJowabi: Loba bengingemukela ezandleni zami inhlamvu eziyinkulungwane zesiliva, bengingayikwelulela isandla sami endodaneni yenkosi, ngoba ezindlebeni zethu inkosi yakulaya wena loAbishayi loIthayi isithi: Nanzelelani, loba ngubani, angathinti ijaha uAbisalomu.

18:13  Uba bengenze inkohliso ngempilo yami, ngoba kakulalutho olucatshela inkosi, lawe ubuzazimisa umelene lami.

18:14  UJowabi wasesithi: Kangiyikulibala ngokunjalo lawe. Wasethatha imikhonto emithathu esandleni sakhe, wamgwaza uAbisalomu enhliziyweni esaphila, phakathi kwesihlahla se-okhi.

18:15  Njalo amajaha alitshumi ayethwala izikhali zikaJowabi, amzingelezela amtshaya uAbisalomu ambulala.

18:16  UJowabi wasevuthela uphondo, abantu basebebuya ekuxotshaneni loIsrayeli, ngoba uJowabi wabamisa abantu.

18:17  Basebemthatha uAbisalomu, bamphosela emgodini omkhulu eguswini, babeka phezu kwakhe inqwaba enkulu kakhulu yamatshe; uIsrayeli wonke wasebaleka, ngulowo lalowo waya ethenteni lakhe.

18:18  UAbisalomu esaphila wayethethe wazimisela insika esesigodini senkosi, ngoba wathi: Angilandodana yokwenza ukuthi ibizo lami likhunjulwe. Wabiza leyonsika ngebizo lakhe. Yabizwa ngokuthi, isikhumbuzo sikaAbisalomu, kuze kube lamuhla.

18:19  UAhimahazi indodana kaZadoki wasesithi: Ake ngigijime, ngiyibikele inkosi ukuthi iNkosi iyiphindisele esandleni sezitha zayo.

18:20  Kodwa uJowabi wathi kuye: Kawusumbiki wendaba lamuhla, kodwa uzazibika izindaba ngolunye usuku; lamuhla kawuyikubika izindaba, ngenxa yokuthi indodana yenkosi ifile.

18:21  UJowabi wasesithi kumKhushi: Hamba uyebikela inkosi okubonileyo. UmKhushi wamkhothamela uJowabi, wagijima.

18:22  UAhimahazi indodana kaZadoki wabuya wasephinda wathi kuJowabi: Loba kunjani, ake ngigijime lami ngimlandele umKhushi. Kodwa uJowabi wathi: Uzagijimelani, mntanami, lokhu ungelambiko ongawuletha?

18:23  Kodwa loba kunjani, kangigijime. Wasesithi kuye: Gijima. Wasegijima uAhimahazi ngendlela yemagcekeni, wamdlula umKhushi.

18:24  UDavida wayehlezi-ke phakathi kwamasango womabili; umlindi wasesiya ephahleni lwesango emdulini, waphakamisa amehlo akhe, wabona, khangela-ke, umuntu egijima yedwa.

18:25  Umlindi wasememeza watshela inkosi. Yasisithi inkosi: Uba eyedwa ulombiko emlonyeni wakhe. Wasehamba weza esondela.

18:26  Umlindi wasebona omunye umuntu egijima; umlindi wabiza umlindisango wathi: Khangela, omunye umuntu ugijima yedwa. Inkosi yasisithi: Laye lo uletha izindaba.

18:27  Umlindi wasesithi: Ngibona ukugijima kowokuqala kunjengokugijima kukaAhimahazi indodana kaZadoki. Inkosi yasisithi: Lo ngumuntu olungileyo, uza lendaba ezinhle.

18:28  UAhimahazi wasememeza wathi enkosini: Ukuthula! Wasekhothamela inkosi ngobuso bakhe emhlabathini wathi: Kayibusiswe iNkosi, uNkulunkulu wakho, enikele abantu abaphakamisa isandla sabo enkosini yami, inkosi.

18:29  Inkosi yasisithi: Kuhle yini ngejaha, ngoAbisalomu? UAhimahazi wasesithi: Ngibone isiphithiphithi esikhulu lapho uJowabi ethuma inceku yenkosi lenceku yakho, kodwa kangazanga ukuthi kuyini.

18:30  Inkosi yasisithi: Buyela eceleni, ume lapho. Wasebuyela eceleni wema.

18:31  Khangela-ke, umKhushi wafika, umKhushi wathi: Yemukela imibiko, nkosi yami, nkosi! Ngoba iNkosi ikuphindisele lamuhla esandleni salabo bonke abakuvukelayo.

18:32  Inkosi yasisithi kumKhushi: Kuhle yini ngejaha, ngoAbisalomu? UmKhushi wasesithi: Kungathi izitha zenkosi yami, inkosi, labo bonke abakuvukelayo ngobubi bangaba njengalelojaha.

18:33  Yasikhathazeka kakhulu inkosi, yenyukela endlini ephezulu yesango, yakhala inyembezi, isahamba yakhuluma kanje: Ndodana yami Abisalomu, ndodana yami, ndodana yami, Abisalomu! Kungathi ngabe kufe mina endaweni yakho, Abisalomu, ndodana yami, ndodana yami!

Chapter 19

19:1  Kwasekubikwa kuJowabi kwathiwa: Khangela, inkosi uDavida iyakhala inyembezi, ililela uAbisalomu.

19:2  Ukunqoba ngalolosuku kwasekusiba yisililo ebantwini bonke, ngoba abantu bezwa ngalolosuku kuthiwa: Inkosi idabukile ngenxa yendodana yayo.

19:3  Abantu basebengena ngokunyenya emzini ngalolosuku njengabantu benyenya belenhloni bebaleka empini.

19:4  Kodwa inkosi yagubuzela ubuso bayo, inkosi yakhala ngelizwi elikhulu yathi: Ndodana yami Abisalomu, Abisalomu, ndodana yami, ndodana yami!

19:5  UJowabi wasengena endlini enkosini wathi: Lamuhla uyangisile ubuso benceku zakho zonke ezisindise impilo yakho lamuhla lempilo yamadodana akho leyamadodakazi akho lempilo yabomkakho lempilo yabafazi bakho abancane.

19:6  Uyabathanda abakuzondayo, uzonde abakuthandayo. Ngoba ukuveze obala lamuhla ukuthi izinduna lezinceku kazisilutho kuwe; ngoba ngiyananzelela lamuhla ukuthi uba uAbisalomu ubephila, njalo thina sonke besifile lamuhla, ukuthi bekungabe kulungile emehlweni akho.

19:7  Ngakho-ke sukuma, uphume uyekhuluma enhliziyweni yezinceku zakho; ngoba ngifunga ngeNkosi, uba ungaphumi, sibili kakulamuntu ozahlala lawe ngalobubusuku. Lalokhu kuzakuba kubi kuwe kulakho konke okubi okukwehlele kusukela ebutsheni bakho kuze kube khathesi.

19:8  Inkosi yasisukuma, yahlala esangweni. Batshela bonke abantu bathi: Khangela, inkosi ihlezi esangweni; basebesiza abantu bonke phambi kwenkosi. UIsrayeli wayebaleke-ke, ngulowo lalowo waya emathenteni akhe.

19:9  Njalo abantu bonke babephikisana ezizweni zonke zakoIsrayeli besithi: Inkosi yasikhulula esandleni sezitha zethu, njalo yona yasophula esandleni samaFilisti; kodwa khathesi isibalekile elizweni ngenxa kaAbisalomu.

19:10  Kodwa uAbisalomu esamgcoba ukuthi abe phezu kwethu ufele empini. Pho-ke, lithuleleni ngokubuyisa inkosi?

19:11  Inkosi uDavida yasithuma kuZadoki lakuAbhiyatha abapristi, isithi: Khulumani labadala bakoJuda lithi: Kungani lingabokucina ukubuyisela inkosi endlini yayo? (Ngoba inkulumo kaIsrayeli wonke ifike enkosini endlini yayo.)

19:12  Lingabafowethu, lilithambo lami lenyama yami; ngakho kungani lingabokucina ukubuyisa inkosi?

19:13  Lithi-ke kuAmasa: Angithi ulithambo lami lenyama yami? UNkulunkulu kenze njalo kimi engezelele ngokunjalo, uba ungayikuba yinduna yebutho phambi kwami zonke izinsuku esikhundleni sikaJowabi.

19:14  Wasethobisa inhliziyo yabantu bonke bakoJuda, njengamuntu munye; basebethuma enkosini besithi: Buyela wena lazo zonke inceku zakho.

19:15  Inkosi yasibuyela yafika eJordani; uJuda wasesiza eGiligali ukuyahlangabeza inkosi, ukuchaphisa inkosi iJordani.

19:16  UShimeyi indodana kaGera umBhenjamini, owaseBahurimi, wasephangisa wehla labantu bakoJuda ukuhlangabeza inkosi uDavida,

19:17  labantu abayinkulungwane bakoBhenjamini belaye, loZiba inceku yendlu kaSawuli, lamadodana akhe alitshumi lanhlanu, lenceku zakhe ezingamatshumi amabili belaye. Basebephangisa baya eJordani phambi kwenkosi.

19:18  Kwasekuchapha isikepe sokuchapha ukuchaphisa abendlu yenkosi lokwenza okulungileyo emehlweni ayo. UShimeyi indodana kaGera wasewela phansi phambi kwenkosi ekuchapheni kwayo iJordani.

19:19  Wasesithi enkosini: Inkosi yami ingangibaleli isiphambeko, futhi ungakhumbuli lokho inceku yakho eyaphambeka ngakho mhla inkosi yami, inkosi, iphuma eJerusalema, ukuthi inkosi ikubeke enhliziyweni yayo.

19:20  Ngoba inceku yakho iyazi ukuthi mina ngonile; khangela-ke, ngifikile lamuhla ngingowokuqala wendlu yonke kaJosefa ukwehla ukuhlangabeza inkosi yami, inkosi.

19:21  Kodwa uAbishayi indodana kaZeruya waphendula wathi: UShimeyi kayikubulawa yini ngalokhu, ngoba wathuka ogcotshiweyo weNkosi?

19:22  UDavida wasesithi: Ngilani lani, madodana kaZeruya, ukuthi libe yisitha kimi lamuhla? Kuzabulawa umuntu lamuhla koIsrayeli yini? Ngoba kangazi yini ukuthi lamuhla ngiyinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli?

19:23  Inkosi yasisithi kuShimeyi: Kawuyikufa. Inkosi yasifunga kuye.

19:24  UMefiboshethi indodana kaSawuli wasesehla ukuhlangabeza inkosi. Wayengalungisanga inyawo zakhe, engalungisanga lendevu zakhe, engawatshanga lezigqoko zakhe, kusukela mhla inkosi ihamba kwaze kwaba mhla ibuya ngokuthula.

19:25  Kwasekusithi esefikile eJerusalema ukuhlangabeza inkosi, inkosi yathi kuye: Kungani ungahambanga lami, Mefiboshethi?

19:26  Wasesithi: Nkosi yami, nkosi, inceku yami yangikhohlisa; ngoba inceku yakho yathi: Ngizazibophelela isihlalo kubabhemi ukuze ngimgade, ngihambe lenkosi, ngoba inceku yakho iyaqhula.

19:27  Njalo iyihlebile inceku yakho enkosini yami, inkosi; kodwa inkosi yami, inkosi, injengengilosi kaNkulunkulu; ngakho yenza okulungileyo emehlweni akho.

19:28  Ngoba yonke indlu kababa ibingesilutho ngaphandle kokuba ngabantu bokufa phambi kwenkosi yami, inkosi; loba kunjalo wayibeka inceku yakho phakathi kwabadla etafuleni lakho. Pho, ngiselalungelo bani ukuthi ngibuye ngikhale enkosini?

19:29  Inkosi yasisithi kuye: Usakhulumelani ngendaba zakho? Ngithe: Wena loZiba lizakwehlukaniselana insimu.

19:30  UMefiboshethi wasesithi enkosini: Yebo, kayithathe yonke, lokhu inkosi yami, inkosi, isibuyile endlini yayo ngokuthula.

19:31  UBarizilayi umGileyadi wasesehla evela eRogelimi, wachapha iJordani kanye lenkosi ukuyiphelekezela phetsheya kweJordani.

19:32  UBarizilayi wayesemdala kakhulu, eleminyaka engamatshumi ayisificaminwembili; yena wayisekela inkosi ekuhlaleni kwayo eMahanayimi, ngoba wayengumuntu omkhulu kakhulu.

19:33  Inkosi yasisithi kuBarizilayi: Chapha kanye lami wena, ngizakusekela lami eJerusalema.

19:34  Kodwa uBarizilayi wasesithi enkosini: Zingaki insuku zeminyaka yempilo yami ukuthi ngenyukele eJerusalema lenkosi?

19:35  Lamuhla ngileminyaka engamatshumi ayisificaminwembili; ngingehlukanisa phakathi kokuhle lokubi yini? Inceku yakho inganambitha engikudlayo lengikunathayo yini? Ngingabe ngisawezwa yini amazwi amadoda ahlabelayo lawabesifazana abahlabelayo? Kungani-ke inceku yakho isizakuba ngumthwalo enkosini yami, inkosi?

19:36  Inceku yakho izake ichaphe iJordani ingcosana nje kanye lenkosi; kungani-ke inkosi izangenanisa ngomvuzo ongaka?

19:37  Ngiyakuncenga, yekela inceku yakho ibuyele, ukuze ngifele emzini wami eduze lengcwaba likababa lelikamama. Kodwa khangela, inceku yakho uKhimihamu, kayichaphe lenkosi yami, inkosi, uyenzele okulungileyo emehlweni akho.

19:38  Inkosi yasisithi: UKhimihamu uzachapha lami; njalo mina ngizamenzela okulungileyo emehlweni ami, lakho konke okufunayo kimi ngizakwenzela khona.

19:39  Bonke abantu basebechapha iJordani, lenkosi yachapha, inkosi yamanga uBarizilayi, yambusisa, wasebuyela endaweni yakhe.

19:40  Inkosi yasisedlulela eGiligali, loKhimihamu wedlula layo; labo bonke abantu bakoJuda bayidlulisela phambili inkosi, futhi lengxenye yesizwe sakoIsrayeli.

19:41  Khangela-ke, bonke abantu bakoIsrayeli beza enkosini bathi enkosini: Abafowethu, abantu bakoJuda, bakuntshontsheleni, bachaphisa inkosi lendlu yayo iJordani labo bonke abantu bakaDavida belaye?

19:42  Bonke abantu bakoJuda basebephendula amadoda akoIsrayeli bathi: Ngoba inkosi iyisihlobo sethu; pho-ke, lithukuthelelani ngalindaba? Sike sadlani okwenkosi? Kumbe isinike isipho yini?

19:43  Njalo amadoda akoIsrayeli aphendula amadoda akoJuda, athi: Silengxenye ezilitshumi enkosini, futhi lakuDavida silelungelo okwedlula lina. Pho, lasidelelelani ukuthi ilizwi lethu lingabi ngelokuqala ukubuyisa inkosi yethu? Kodwa ilizwi lamadoda akoJuda lalilukhuni kulelizwi lamadoda akoIsrayeli.

Chapter 20

20:1  Kwasekusenzakala ukuthi kube khona lapho umuntu kaBheliyali, obizo lakhe linguShebha indodana kaBikiri umBhenjamini; wasevuthela uphondo wathi: Kasilasabelo kuDavida, kasilalifa endodaneni kaJese; wonke umuntu emathenteni akhe, Israyeli!

20:2  Ngakho wonke umuntu wakoIsrayeli wenyuka wasuka emva kukaDavida, elandela uShebha indodana kaBikiri; kodwa abantu bakoJuda banamathela enkosini yabo, kusukela eJordani kwaze kwaba seJerusalema.

20:3  UDavida wasefika endlini yakhe eJerusalema; inkosi yathatha abafazi abalitshumi, abafazi abancane, eyayibatshiye ukuze balinde indlu, yababeka endlini elindiweyo, yabanika ukudla, kodwa kayingenanga kubo. Basebevalelwa kwaze kwaba lusuku lokufa kwabo, bephila ebufelokazini.

20:4  Inkosi yasisithi kuAmasa: Biza abantu bakoJuda babuthane kimi ngensuku ezintathu, lawe ube khona lapha.

20:5  UAmasa wasehamba ukubuthanisa uJuda, kodwa waphuza phezu kwesikhathi esimisiweyo ayemmisele sona.

20:6  UDavida wasesithi kuAbishayi: Khathesi uShebha indodana kaBikiri uzasenzela okubi okwedlula uAbisalomu; wena thatha inceku zenkosi yakho, uxotshane laye, hlezi azitholele imizi ebiyelwe ngemithangala, asiphunyuke.

20:7  Kwasekuphuma emva kwakhe amadoda kaJowabi lamaKerethi lamaPelethi lamaqhawe wonke, basebephuma eJerusalema ukuxotshana loShebha indodana kaBikiri.

20:8  Sebeselitsheni elikhulu eliseGibeyoni, uAmasa weza phambi kwabo. UJowabi wayebhince isigqoko ayesigqokile, laphezu kwaso kulebhanti elilenkemba ebotshelwe ekhalweni lwakhe isesikhwameni sayo; esaqhubeka inkemba yawa.

20:9  UJowabi wasesithi kuAmasa: Uyaphila yini, mfowethu? UJowabi wasebamba uAmasa ngesilevu ngesandla sokunene ukuze amange.

20:10  Kodwa uAmasa wayengayinanzeleli inkemba eyayisesandleni sikaJowabi; wasemtshaya ngayo kubambo lwesihlanu, wathululela imibilini yakhe emhlabathini, kamphindanga, wafa. UJowabi loAbishayi umfowabo basebexotshana loShebha indodana kaBikiri.

20:11  Omunye wamajaha kaJowabi wema phansi kwakhe, wathi: Omthandayo uJowabi, longokaDavida, landela uJowabi.

20:12  UAmasa wasegiqika egazini phakathi komgwaqo omkhulu. Lapho lowomuntu ebona ukuthi bonke abantu bayema, wamsusa uAmasa emgwaqweni omkhulu wamusa egangeni, waphosela isembatho phezu kwakhe, lapho ebona ukuthi wonke ofika ngakuye wema.

20:13  Esesusiwe emgwaqweni omkhulu, bonke abantu badlula bamlandela uJowabi ukuze baxotshane loShebha indodana kaBikiri.

20:14  Wasedabula kuzo zonke izizwe zakoIsrayeli, waya eAbeli ngitsho iBeti-Mahaka, lawo wonke amaBeri; basebebuthana bamlandela labo.

20:15  Basebefika, bamgombolozela eAbeli-Beti-Mahaka; babuthelela idundulu maqondana lomuzi, lema emthangaleni; bonke abantu ababeloJowabi basebewona umduli ukuwuwisela phansi.

20:16  Kwasekumemeza owesifazana ohlakaniphileyo phakathi komuzi wathi: Zwanini, zwanini! Ake lithi kuJowabi: Sondela lapha, ukuze ngikhulume lawe.

20:17  Esesondele kuye, owesifazana wathi: Nguwe uJowabi yini? Yena wathi: Nginguye. Wasesithi kuye: Zwana amazwi encekukazi yakho. Wasesithi: Ngiyezwa.

20:18  Wasekhuluma esithi: Endulo babejwayele ukukhuluma besithi: Kababuze lokubuza eAbeli; basebeqeda ngokunjalo.

20:19  Ngingowabokuthula, owabathembekileyo bakoIsrayeli; udinga ukuchitha umuzi lonina koIsrayeli. Uginyelani ilifa leNkosi?

20:20  UJowabi wasephendula wathi: Kakube khatshana, kakube khatshana lami ukuthi ngiginye loba ngichithe.

20:21  Udaba kalunjalo; kodwa umuntu wasentabeni yakoEfrayimi, nguShebha indodana kaBikiri ibizo lakhe, uphakamisile isandla sakhe emelene lenkosi, emelene loDavida; nikelani yena kuphela, ngizasuka emzini. Owesifazana wasesithi kuJowabi: Khangela, ikhanda lakhe lizaphoselwa kuwe ngaphezu komduli.

20:22  Owesifazana wasesiya ngenhlakanipho yakhe ebantwini bonke. Basebequma ikhanda likaShebha indodana kaBikiri, baliphosela kuJowabi. Wasevuthela uphondo, bahlakazeka besuka kulowomuzi, ngulowo lalowo waya emathenteni akhe. UJowabi wasebuyela eJerusalema enkosini.

20:23  Njalo uJowabi wayephezu kwebutho lonke lakoIsrayeli; loBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada wayephezu kwamaKerethi laphezu kwamaPelethi;

20:24  loAdoniramu wayephezu kwezibhalwa; loJehoshafathi indodana kaAhiludi wayengumabhalane;

20:25  loSheva wayengumbhali; loZadoki loAbhiyatha babengabapristi;

20:26  loIra laye umJayiri wayengumpristi kaDavida.

Chapter 21

21:1  Kwasekusiba khona indlala ensukwini zikaDavida iminyaka emithathu, umnyaka ngomnyaka ilandelana; uDavida wadinga ubuso beNkosi. INkosi yasisithi: Kungenxa kaSawuli langenxa yendlu yakhe yegazi, ngoba wabulala amaGibeyoni.

21:2  Ngakho inkosi yabiza amaGibeyoni yathi kuwo: (AmaGibeyoni-ke ayengeyisiwo awabantwana bakoIsrayeli, kodwa ayengawensali yamaAmori; njalo abantwana bakoIsrayeli babefungile kuwo; uSawuli wasedinga ukuwatshaya ekutshisekeleni kwakhe abantwana bakoIsrayeli loJuda.)

21:3  Ngakho uDavida wathi kumaGibeyoni: Ngingalenzelani? Ngingayenza ngani inhlawulo yokuthula ukuze libusise ilifa leNkosi?

21:4  AmaGibeyoni asesithi kuye: Kayisindaba yesiliva kumbe igolide loSawuli lendlu yakhe; futhi kakusikwethu ukubulala umuntu koIsrayeli. Wasesithi: Lokho elikutshoyo ngizalenzela khona.

21:5  Basebesithi enkosini: Umuntu owasiqedayo, owaceba emelene lathi ukuthi sichithwe singasali lakuwuphi umngcele wakoIsrayeli,

21:6  kasinikwe amadoda ayisikhombisa emadodaneni akhe, njalo siwaphanyekele iNkosi eGibeya kaSawuli, okhethiweyo weNkosi. Inkosi yasisithi: Mina ngizalipha.

21:7  Kodwa inkosi yamyekela uMefiboshethi indodana kaJonathani indodana kaSawuli ngenxa yesifungo seNkosi esasiphakathi kwabo, phakathi kukaDavida loJonathani indodana kaSawuli.

21:8  Kodwa inkosi yathatha amadodana amabili kaRizipa indodakazi kaAya ayewazalele uSawuli, uArimoni loMefiboshethi, lamadodana amahlanu kadadewabo kaMikhali indodakazi kaSawuli ayewazalele uAdriyeli indodana kaBarizilayi umMehola,

21:9  yabanikela esandleni samaGibeyoni, asebaphanyeka entabeni phambi kweNkosi, njalo abayisikhombisa bawa kanyekanye. Babulawa ensukwini zokuvuna, ensukwini zakuqala ekuqaleni kokuvunwa kwebhali*.

21:10  URizipa indodakazi kaAya wasethatha isaka, wazendlalela lona phezu kwedwala, kusukela ekuqaleni kokuvuna kwaze kwathonta amanzi phezu kwabo evela emazulwini; kavumelanga inyoni zamazulu ukuthi zihlale phezu kwabo emini, lezilo zeganga ebusuku.

21:11  Kwasekubikelwa uDavida lokho uRizipa indodakazi kaAya, umfazi omncane kaSawuli, ayekwenzile.

21:12  UDavida wasehamba wayathatha amathambo kaSawuli lamathambo kaJonathani indodana yakhe kubahlali beJabeshi-Gileyadi ababewebile emdangeni weBeti-Shani, lapho amaFilisti ayebaphanyeke khona mhla amaFilisti etshaya uSawuli eGilibowa.

21:13  Wasesenyusa esuka lapho amathambo kaSawuli lamathambo kaJonathani indodana yakhe; basebeqoqa amathambo awababephanyekiwe.

21:14  Basebewangcwaba amathambo kaSawuli lakaJonathani indodana yakhe elizweni lakoBhenjamini eZela, engcwabeni likaKishi uyise. Benza konke inkosi eyayibalaye khona. Njalo emva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wancengeka ngenxa yelizwe.

21:15  AmaFilisti abuye aba lempi futhi loIsrayeli; uDavida wasesehla lenceku zakhe kanye laye, njalo balwa lamaFilisti; uDavida wasedinwa.

21:16  UIshibi-Benobi owayengowabantwana besiqhwaga, osisindo somkhonto wakhe sasingamashekeli angamakhulu amathathu ethusi, wayebhince inkemba entsha, wathi uzamtshaya uDavida.

21:17  Kodwa uAbishayi indodana kaZeruya wamsiza, wamtshaya umFilisti wambulala. Khona abantu bakaDavida bafunga kuye besithi: Kawusayikuphuma impi lathi, hlezi ucitshe isibane sikaIsrayeli.

21:18  Kwasekusithi emva kwalokhu kwaba lempi futhi lamaFilisti eGobi; khona uSibekayi umHusha watshaya uSafi, owayengowabantwana besiqhwaga.

21:19  Kwasekusiba lempi futhi lamaFilisti eGobi; uElihanani indodana kaJahari-Oregimi umBhethelehema, watshaya umfowabo kaGoliyathi umGiti, oluthi lomkhonto wakhe lwalunjengogodo lomaluki.

21:20  Njalo kwabuye kwaba lempi eGathi, lapho okwakulomuntu omude, owayeleminwe eyisithupha ezandleni zakhe, lamazwane ayisithupha ezinyaweni zakhe, kungamatshumi amabili lane ngenani; laye-ke wayezalelwe isiqhwaga.

21:21  Lapho eseyisa uIsrayeli, uJonathani indodana kaShimeya, umfowabo kaDavida, wamtshaya.

21:22  Laba abane babezalelwe isiqhwaga eGathi; njalo bawa ngesandla sikaDavida langesandla senceku zakhe.

Chapter 22

22:1  UDavida wasekhuluma eNkosini amazwi alelihubo mhla iNkosi imkhulula esandleni sezitha zakhe zonke lesandleni sikaSawuli.

22:2  Wasesithi: INkosi ilidwala lami, lenqaba yami, lomkhululi wami;

22:3  uNkulunkulu wedwala lami, ngizaphephela kuye, isihlangu sami, lophondo losindiso lwami, inqaba yami ephakemeyo, lesiphephelo sami, umsindisi wami; ungisindisile odlakeleni.

22:4  Ngizabiza iNkosi edumisekayo, ngakho ngizasindiswa ezitheni zami.

22:5  Ngoba izinsizi zokufa zingizingelezele, lezikhukhula zobubi zangethusa.

22:6  Izibopho zesihogo zangigombolozela, imijibila yokufa yayiphambi kwami.

22:7  Ekuhluphekeni kwami ngayibiza iNkosi, ngakhala kuNkulunkulu wami; waselizwa ilizwi lami esethempelini lakhe, lokukhala kwami kwafinyelela endlebeni zakhe.

22:8  Khona umhlaba wazamazama, wanyikinyeka, izisekelo zamazulu zaqhaqhazela, zazamazama, ngoba wayethukuthele.

22:9  Kwenyuka intuthu emakhaleni akhe, lomlilo ophuma emlonyeni wakhe waqothula; amalahle avuthiswa yiwo.

22:10  Wasekhothamisa amazulu, wehlela phansi; lomnyama onzima wawungaphansi kwenyawo zakhe.

22:11  Wasegada ikherubhi*, waphapha, wabonakala phezu kwempiko zomoya.

22:12  Wasemisa umnyama waba ngamadumba inhlangothi zonke zakhe, lokuqoqana kwamanzi, amayezi amnyama omkhathi.

22:13  Ekukhazimuleni okuphambi kwakhe kwavuthiswa amalahle omlilo.

22:14  INkosi yaduma isemazulwini, loPhezukonke walikhupha ilizwi lakhe.

22:15  Yathuma imitshoko, yabachitha; imibane, yabaphaphathekisa.

22:16  Khona kwabonakala imisele yolwandle, kwembulwa izisekelo zomhlaba, ekusoleni kweNkosi, ekuvutheleni komoya wamakhala ayo.

22:17  Iphezulu yathuma, yangibamba, yangenyula emanzini amanengi.

22:18  Yangophula esitheni sami esilamandla, kwabangizondayo, ngoba babelamandla kulami.

22:19  Babephambi kwami osukwini lwenhlupheko yami, kodwa iNkosi yaba yisisekelo sami.

22:20  Yangikhuphela endaweni ebanzi, yangikhulula, ngoba yayithokoza ngami.

22:21  INkosi yangivuza njengokulunga kwami, yangibuyisela njengokuhlanzeka kwezandla zami.

22:22  Ngoba ngizilondolozile indlela zeNkosi, kangisukanga kuNkulunkulu wami ngenkohlakalo.

22:23  Ngoba zonke izahlulelo zayo zaziphambi kwami, lezimiso zayo, kangiphambukanga kuzo.

22:24  Njalo ngangiqondile phambi kwayo, ngizinqandile ebubini bami.

22:25  Ngakho iNkosi ingibuyisele njengokulunga kwami, njengokuhlanzeka kwami phambi kwamehlo ayo.

22:26  Kolesihawu uzaziveza ulesihawu; koqotho uzaziveza uqotho;

22:27  kohlanzekileyo uzaziveza uhlanzekile; lakophambukileyo uzaziveza uphambukile.

22:28  Labantu abahlutshwayo uzabasindisa, kodwa amehlo akho aphezu kwabaziphakamisayo, uzabehlisela phansi.

22:29  Ngoba uyisibane sami, Nkosi, iNkosi izakhanyisa-ke ubumnyama bami.

22:30  Ngoba ngawe ngigijimile ngadabula phakathi kwebutho, ngoNkulunkulu wami ngeqe umthangala.

22:31  UNkulunkulu; indlela yakhe iphelele; ilizwi leNkosi lihloliwe; uyisihlangu kubo bonke abaphephela kuye.

22:32  Ngoba ngubani onguNkulunkulu ngaphandle kweNkosi? Njalo ngubani olidwala ngaphandle kukaNkulunkulu wethu?

22:33  UNkulunkulu uyinqaba yami lamandla, owenza indlela yami iphelele.

22:34  Owenza inyawo zami zibe njengezezimpala, wangimisa ezingqongeni zami.

22:35  Ofundisela izandla zami impi, ukuze idandili lethusi ligotshiswe zingalo zami.

22:36  Unginikile lesihlangu sosindiso lwakho, lokuzithoba kwakho kungikhulisile.

22:37  Wenze laba banzi inyathelo lami ngaphansi kwami, ukuze inqagala zami zingatsheleli.

22:38  Ngixotshene lezitha zami ngazibhubhisa, kangibuyanga ngaze ngaziqeda.

22:39  Ngaziqeda, ngazigwaza, ukuze zingavuki; kodwa zawa ngaphansi kwenyawo zami.

22:40  Ngoba ungibhincise amandla kusenzelwa impi, wabakhothamisela phansi kwami abangivukelayo.

22:41  Unginike intamo yezitha zami, labo abangizondayo ngababhubhisa.

22:42  Bakhangela, kodwa engekho umsindisi; eNkosini, kodwa kayibaphendulanga.

22:43  Ngasengibacholisisa njengothuli lomhlaba, ngabagxoba njengodaka lwezitalada, ngabatsahaza.

22:44  Wasungikhulula ekuphikiseni kwabantu bami, wangigcina ngiyinhloko yezizwe; abantu engangingabazi bangisebenzela.

22:45  Abezizweni bazazehlisela phansi kimi; bangenela ukuzwa ngendlebe bazangilalela.

22:46  Abezizweni bazabuna, baphume ezinqabeni zabo bethuthumela.

22:47  INkosi iyaphila; njalo kalibusiswe idwala lami, kaphakanyiswe uNkulunkulu, idwala losindiso lwami;

22:48  uNkulunkulu onginika impindiselo, lowehlisela izizwe ngaphansi kwami;

22:49  longikhupha ezitheni zami; laphezu kwabangivukelayo wena wangiphakamisa; lemuntwini wodlakela wangikhulula.

22:50  Ngenxa yalokhu ngizakudumisa, Nkosi, phakathi kwezizwe, ngihubele ibizo lakho indumiso.

22:51  Ingumphotshongo wosindiso kuyo inkosi yayo, isenzela ogcotshiweyo wayo umusa, kuDavida, lenzalweni yakhe kuze kube nininini.

Chapter 23

23:1  La-ke ngamazwi okucina kaDavida. UDavida indodana kaJese wathi, lomuntu ophakanyiselwe phezulu, ogcotshiweyo kaNkulunkulu kaJakobe, lomhlabeleli omnandi wakoIsrayeli, wathi:

23:2  UMoya weNkosi wakhuluma ngami, lelizwi lakhe lisolimini lwami.

23:3  UNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli wathi, iDwala likaIsrayeli lakhuluma kimi lathi: Obusa abantu uzakuba ngolungileyo, ebusa ngokumesaba uNkulunkulu.

23:4  Njalo uzakuba njengokukhanya kwekuseni ekuphumeni kwelanga, ikuseni engelamayezi, njengohlaza emhlabathini ngokukhanya emva kwezulu.

23:5  Lanxa indlu yami ingenjalo kuNkulunkulu, kube kanti wenzile lami isivumelwano esilaphakade, esimiswe kuhle ezintweni zonke, lesigcinekileyo, ngoba lonke usindiso lwami lesiloyiso sikuso, lanxa engasikhulisi.

23:6  Kodwa abakaBheliyali bonke banjengameva alahliweyo, ngoba engelakuthathwa ngesandla;

23:7  kodwa umuntu owathintayo uzazihlomisa ngensimbi langoluthi lomkhonto, azatshiswa lokutshiswa ngomlilo kuleyondawo.

23:8  La ngamabizo amaqhawe uDavida ayelawo: UJoshebi-Bashebeti umTahekemoni, inhloko yezinduna; nguye uAdino umEzini, ngenxa yabangamakhulu ayisificaminwembili ababulawa ngasikhathi sinye.

23:9  Lemva kwakhe kwakuloEleyazare indodana kaDodo indodana kaAhohi, owamaqhawe amathathu ayeloDavida, ekudeleleni kwabo amaFilisti ayebuthanele khona impi, lapho amadoda akoIsrayeli esenyukile,

23:10  yena wasukuma watshaya amaFilisti saze sadinwa isandla sakhe, lesandla sakhe sanamathela enkembeni. INkosi yasisenza usindiso olukhulu ngalolosuku; abantu basebebuya emva kwakhe ukuzaphanga kuphela.

23:11  Lemva kwakhe kwakuloShama indodana kaAge umHarari. AmaFilisti ayebuthene aba lixuku, lapho okwakukhona isiqinti sensimu sigcwele amalentili; njalo abantu babaleka ebusweni bamaFilisti,

23:12  kodwa wajama phakathi kwesiqinti, wasivikela, wawatshaya amaFilisti. INkosi yenza-ke usindiso olukhulu.

23:13  Abathathu ezinhlokweni ezingamatshumi amathathu basebesehla, bafika kuDavida ebhalwini lweAdulamu ngesikhathi sokuvuna; lexuku lamaFilisti lalimise inkamba esihotsheni seRefayimi.

23:14  Langalesosikhathi uDavida wayesenqabeni, lebutho lenqaba lamaFilisti laliseBhethelehema ngalesosikhathi.

23:15  UDavida wasenxwanela, wathi: Hawu, kungathi omunye ubenganginathisa amanzi omthombo weBhethelehema ongasesangweni!

23:16  Lawomaqhawe amathathu asefohla adabula enkambeni yamaFilisti, akha amanzi emthonjeni weBhethelehema owawungasesangweni, awathatha awaletha kuDavida. Kube kanti kathandanga ukuwanatha, kodwa wawathululela iNkosi.

23:17  Wasesithi: Kakube khatshana lami, Nkosi, ukuthi ngenze lokho; kakusigazi yini labantu abahambe lempilo yabo engozini? Ngalokho kathandanga ukuwanatha. Lezizinto azenza lamaqhawe amathathu.

23:18  Njalo uAbishayi, umfowabo kaJowabi indodana kaZeruya, wayeyinhloko yabathathu. Yena wasegiyela abangamakhulu amathathu ngomkhonto wakhe, ababuleweyo, wasesiba lebizo phakathi kwabathathu.

23:19  Kahlonitshwanga kakhulu yini kulabathathu? Ngakho waba yinduna yabo; kodwa kafikanga kwabathathu abokuqala.

23:20  UBhenaya-ke, indodana kaJehoyada, indodana yeqhawe, omkhulu ngezenzo, weKabhiseyeli. Yena watshaya ababili abanjengezilwane bakoMowabi; futhi wehla watshaya isilwane phakathi komgodi mhla weliqhwa elikhithikileyo.

23:21  Yena wasetshaya indoda engumGibhithe, umuntu obukekayo; njalo umGibhithe wayelomkhonto esandleni sakhe; kodwa wehlela kuye elenduku, wawuhluthuna umkhonto esandleni somGibhithe, wambulala ngomkhonto wakhe.

23:22  Lezizinto wazenza uBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada, waba lebizo phakathi kwamaqhawe amathathu.

23:23  Wayehlonipheka kulabangamatshumi amathathu, kodwa kafikanga kwabathathu. UDavida wasembeka phezu kwabalindi bakhe.

23:24  UAsaheli umfowabo kaJowabi wayephakathi kwabangamatshumi amathathu, uElihanani indodana kaDodo weBhethelehema,

23:25  uShama umHarodi, uElika umHarodi,

23:26  uHelezi umPaliti, uIra indodana kaIkheshi umThekhowa,

23:27  uAbiyezeri umAnethothi, uMebunayi umHusha,

23:28  uZalimoni umAhohi, uMaharayi umNetofa,

23:29  uHelebi indodana kaBahana umNetofa, uIthayi indodana kaRibayi weGibeya wabantwana bakoBhenjamini,

23:30  uBhenaya umPirathoni, uHidayi wezifuleni zeGahashi,

23:31  uAbi-Aliboni umAraba, uAzimavethi umBahurimi,

23:32  uEliyabha umShahaliboni, wamadodana kaJasheni, uJonathani,

23:33  uShama umHarari, uAhiyamu indodana kaSharari umHarari,

23:34  uElifeleti indodana kaAhasibayi indodana yomMahaka, uEliyamu indodana kaAhithofeli umGilo,

23:35  uHezirayi umKharmeli, uPaharayi umArabi,

23:36  uIgali indodana kaNathani weZoba, uBani umGadi,

23:37  uZeleki umAmoni, uNaharayi umBherothi, umthwali wezikhali zikaJowabi indodana kaZeruya,

23:38  uIra umIthiri, uGarebi umIthiri,

23:39  uUriya umHethi; bebonke babengamatshumi amathathu lesikhombisa.

Chapter 24

24:1  Lwaselubuya lwamvuthela uIsrayeli ulaka lukaJehova, wabavusela uDavida, esithi: Hamba ubale uIsrayeli loJuda.

24:2  Ngakho inkosi yathi kuJowabi induna yebutho eyayilaye: Hamba khathesi ubhode ezizweni zonke zakoIsrayeli, kusukela koDani kuze kube seBherishebha, libale abantu ukuze ngazi inani labantu.

24:3  UJowabi wasesithi enkosini: Aluba iNkosi uNkulunkulu wakho ingandisa ebantwini, loba bebanengi kangakanani, kuphindwe ngokulikhulu, ukuthi amehlo enkosi yami, inkosi, akubone. Kodwa inkosi yami, inkosi, ithokozelani kulinto?

24:4  Kodwa ilizwi lenkosi lalilamandla phezu kukaJowabi laphezu kwezinduna zebutho. Ngakho uJowabi lenduna zebutho baphuma phambi kwenkosi ukuze babale abantu, uIsrayeli.

24:5  Basebechapha iJordani, bamisa inkamba eAroweri, ngakwesokunene komuzi ophakathi kwesifula seGadi, lamaqondana leJazeri.

24:6  Basebefika eGileyadi lelizweni leTahetimi-Hodishi; bafika eDani-Jahani, babhoda ngaseSidoni,

24:7  bafika enqabeni yeTire lemizini yonke yamaHivi leyamaKhanani; baphuma baya eningizimu yakoJuda, eBherishebha.

24:8  Sebebhode badabula ilizwe lonke, bafika eJerusalema ekupheleni kwenyanga eziyisificamunwemunye lensuku ezingamatshumi amabili.

24:9  UJowabi waseyinika inkosi inani lokubalwa kwabantu; njalo kwakukhona koIsrayeli amaqhawe ayizinkulungwane ezingamakhulu ayisificaminwembili ahwatsha inkemba; lamadoda akoJuda ayengamadoda ayizinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amahlanu.

24:10  Inhliziyo kaDavida yasimtshaya emva kokuthi esebale abantu. UDavida wasesithi eNkosini: Ngonile kakhulu ngalokho engikwenzileyo. Ngakho-ke, Nkosi, ngiyakuncenga, susa ububi benceku yakho, ngoba ngenze ngobuthutha obukhulu.

24:11  Kwathi uDavida esevukile ekuseni, kwafika ilizwi leNkosi kuGadi umprofethi, umboni kaDavida, lisithi:

24:12  Hamba uthi kuDavida: Itsho njalo iNkosi ithi: Ngikubekela okuthathu; zikhethele okukodwa kukho, ukuthi ngikwenze kuwe.

24:13  UGadi wasefika kuDavida, wamtshela wathi kuye: Kufike kuwe yini iminyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala elizweni lakini? Loba ubalekele izitha zakho inyanga ezintathu zixotshana lawe? Ingabe kube khona umatshayabhuqe wesifo okwensuku ezintathu elizweni lakini? Khathesi cabanga, ubone ukuthi yimpendulo bani engizayibuyisela kongithumileyo.

24:14  UDavida wasesithi kuGadi: Ngicindezelekile kakhulu; ake siwele esandleni seNkosi, ngoba izisa zayo zinkulu, kodwa kangingaweli esandleni somuntu.

24:15  Ngakho iNkosi yasibeka umatshayabhuqe wesifo kuIsrayeli, kusukela ekuseni kwaze kwaba sesikhathini esimisiweyo; kwasekusifa ebantwini abantu abayizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi ayisikhombisa kusukela koDani kwaze kwaba seBherishebha.

24:16  Lapho ingilosi iselulela isandla sayo eJerusalema ukuyibhubhisa, iNkosi yazisola ngalobobubi, yathi engilosini eyayibhubhisa abantu: Sekwanele. Khathesi finyeza isandla sakho. Ingilosi yeNkosi yayisebaleni lokubhulela likaArawuna umJebusi.

24:17  UDavida wasekhuluma eNkosini lapho ebona ingilosi eyayitshaya abantu, wathi: Khangela, mina ngonile, njalo mina ngenze okubi; pho, lezizimvu zenzeni? Isandla sakho ake simelane lami njalo simelane lendlu kababa.

24:18  UGadi wasefika kuDavida ngalolosuku, wathi kuye: Yenyuka, umisele iNkosi ilathi ebaleni lokubhulela likaArawuna umJebusi.

24:19  UDavida wasesenyuka njengokutsho kukaGadi, njengokulaya kweNkosi.

24:20  UArawuna waselunguza, wabona inkosi lenceku zayo beqhubeka besiza kuye; uArawuna wasephuma wakhothama phambi kwenkosi ngobuso bakhe emhlabathini.

24:21  UArawuna wasesithi: Kungani inkosi yami, inkosi, ize encekwini yayo? UDavida wasesithi: Ukuthi ngithenge kuwe ibala lokubhulela, ukuthi ngakhele iNkosi ilathi, ukuze inhlupheko ithinteke ingafiki ebantwini.

24:22  UArawuna wasesithi kuDavida: Inkosi yami, inkosi, kayithathe inikele lokho okuhle emehlweni ayo; bona, nanzi inkabi zomnikelo wokutshiswa, lezimbulo lezinto zenkabi kube zinkuni.

24:23  Konke lokhu, nkosi, uArawuna wakunika inkosi; uArawuna wasesithi enkosini: INkosi uNkulunkulu wakho kayikwemukele.

24:24  Inkosi yasisithi kuArawuna: Hatshi, kodwa ngizakuthenga lokukuthenga kuwe ngentengo; njalo kangiyikunikela iminikelo yokutshiswa engangibizanga lutho eNkosini uNkulunkulu wami. UDavida waselithenga ibala lokubhulela lezinkabi ngamashekeli* esiliva angamatshumi amahlanu.

24:25  UDavida wasesakhela khona iNkosi ilathi, wanikela iminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yokuthula. Ngakho iNkosi yancengeka ngelizwe, inhlupheko yasithinteka phezu kukaIsrayeli.