1 Mafumu 20
1 Tsono Beni-Hadadi mfumu ya ku Aramu inasonkhanitsa magulu ake onse a ankhondo. Iye pamodzi ndi mafumu 32, akavalo awo ndi magaleta awo, anapita kukawuzungulira mzinda wa Samariya ndi kuwuthira nkhondo.
Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, gathered all his army, and he persuaded 32 other kings to join him with their armies and horses and chariots. They marched to Samaria [city, the capital of Israel], and surrounded it, and [prepared to] attack it.
2 Iye anatuma amithenga ake mu mzindamo kwa Ahabu mfumu ya Israeli, kukanena kuti,
Ben-Hadad sent messengers into the city to King Ahab, to say this to him: “This is what King Ben-Hadad says:
3 “Beni-Hadadi akuti, ‘Siliva wako ndi golide wako ndi wanga, ndipo akazi ako okongola ndi ana ako ndi anganso.’”
‘[You must give to] me all your silver and gold, your (good-looking/most beautiful) wives/women and strongest children.’”
4 Mfumu ya Israeli inayankha kuti, “Monga mmene mwanenera, mbuye wanga mfumu, ine pamodzi ndi zonse zomwe ndili nazo ndi zanu.”
The king of Israel replied to them, “Tell this to King Ben-Hadad: ‘I agree to do what you requested. You can have me and everything that I own.’”
5 Amithenga aja anabwereranso kwa Ahabu ndipo anamuwuza kuti, “Beni-Hadadi akuti, ‘Ine ndinakulamula kuti undipatse siliva wako ndi golide wako, akazi ako ndi ana ako.
[The messengers told that to] Ben-Hadad, and he [sent them back with] another message: “I sent a message to you saying that you must give me all your silver and gold and your wives and your children.
6 Koma mawa nthawi ngati yomwe ino ndidzatuma atumiki anga kudzafufuza mʼnyumba yako yaufumu ndi nyumba za akuluakulu ako. Iwo adzatenga chilichonse chimene umachidalira ndi kupita nacho.’”
But [in addition to that], about this time tomorrow, I will send some of my officials to search your palace and the houses of your officials, and to bring to me everything that pleases them.”
7 Pamenepo mfumu ya Israeli inayitanitsa akuluakulu a mʼdzikomo niwawuza kuti, “Taonani momwe munthuyu akufunira kutibweretsera mavuto! Atatumiza mawu oti ndimupatse akazi anga ndi ana anga, siliva wanga ndi golide wanga, ine sindinamukanize.”
King Ahab summoned all the leaders of Israel, and said to them, “You can see/realize for yourselves that this man is trying to cause much trouble. He sent me a message insisting that I must give him my wives and my children, my silver and my gold, and I agreed to do that.”
8 Akuluakulu onse ndi anthu onse anayankha kuti, “Musamumvere kapena kuvomereza zofuna zake.”
The leaders and all the other people said to him, “Do not pay any attention to him! Do not do what he is requesting!”
9 Tsono Ahabu anayankha amithenga a Beni-Hadadi kuti, “Kamuwuzeni mbuye wanga mfumu kuti, ‘Mtumiki wanu adzachita zonse zimene munazifuna nthawi yoyamba ija, koma izi mwazifunazi sindingazikwanitse.’” Iwo anachoka nakapereka yankho kwa Beni-Hadadi.
So Ahab said to Ben-Hadad’s messengers, “Tell the king that I agree to give him the things that he first requested, but I do not agree to allow his officials to take anything that they want from my palace and from the houses of my officials.” So the messengers [reported that to King Ben-Hadad, and they] returned with another message from Ben-Hadad.
10 Pamenepo Beni-Hadadi anatumizanso uthenga wina kwa Ahabu kuti, “Milungu indilange koopsa, ngati mu Samariya mudzakhale fumbi loti nʼkudzaza dzanja la aliyense wa anthu anga.”
In that message he said, “[We will destroy] your city [completely, with the result that] there will not be enough dust and rubble left for each of my soldiers to have one handful! I hope/wish that the gods will strike me dead if we do not do that!”
11 Mfumu ya Israeli inayankha kuti, “Kamuwuzeni kuti, ‘Mwamuna mnzako nʼpachulu, nʼkulinga utakwerapo.’”
King Ahab replied [to the messengers], “Tell King Ben-Hadad that a soldier who is putting on his armor [preparing to fight a battle] [MTY] should not boast at that time; he [should wait until] after he wins the battle.”
12 Beni-Hadadi anamva uthenga umenewu pamene iye ankamwa ndi mafumu anzake mʼmatenti awo, ndipo analamula anthu ake kuti, “Konzekerani kukathira nkhondo.” Choncho anakonzekera kukathira nkhondo mzindawo.
Ben-Hadad heard that message while he and the other rulers were drinking [wine] in their temporary shelters. He told his men to prepare to attack [MTY] the city. So his men did that.
13 Ndipo taonani, mneneri wina anabwera kwa Ahabu mfumu ya Israeli nadzalengeza kuti, “Yehova akuti, ‘Kodi ukuchiona chigulu chachikulu cha ankhondochi? Taona, ndikuchipereka chimenechi lero mʼdzanja lako, ndipo pamenepo udzadziwa kuti Ine ndine Yehova.’”
At that moment, a prophet came to King Ahab and said to him, “This is what Yahweh says: ‘[Do not be at all afraid of] [RHQ] the large enemy army that you see! I will enable your army to defeat them today, and you will know that it is I, Yahweh, [who have the power to do what I say that I will do].’”
14 Ahabu anafunsa kuti, “Koma ndani adzachita zimenezi?” Mneneri anayankha kuti, “Yehova akuti, ‘Adzachita zimenezi ndi asilikali a nduna za mʼzigawo.’” Ndipo iye anafunsa kuti, “Kodi ndani adzayambe nkhondoyi?” Mneneriyo anayankha kuti, “Ndinu.”
Ahab asked, “What group [of our army] will defeat them?” The prophet replied, “The young soldiers who are commanded by the district governors will do it.” The king asked, “Who should lead the attack?” The prophet replied, “You should!”
15 Choncho Ahabu anawerenga asilikali achinyamata a nduna za mʼzigawo ndipo onse analipo 232. Ndipo anawerenganso ankhondo a ku Israeli ndipo onse analipo 7,000.
So Ahab gathered the young soldiers who were commanded by the district governors. There were 232 of those men. Then he also summoned all the Israeli army. There were [only] 7,000 soldiers.
16 Iwo ananyamuka nthawi yamasana pamene Beni-Hadadi ndi mafumu 32 othandizana naye ankamwa mpaka kuledzera mʼmatenti awo.
They started to attack at noon, while Ben-Hadad and the other rulers were getting drunk in their temporary shelters.
17 Asilikali achinyamata a nduna za mʼzigawo ndiwo amene anayamba kupita ku nkhondo. Nthawi imeneyi Beni-Hadadi nʼkuti atatumiza anthu oti akazonde, amene anadzafotokoza kuti, “Anthu ankhondo akubwera kuchokera ku Samariya.”
The young soldiers advanced first. Some scouts who had been sent out by Ben-Hadad reported to him, “There are men coming out of Samaria [city]”!
18 Iye anati, “Kaya akubwera mwamtendere kapena mwankhondo, muwagwire amoyo.”
He said, “It does not matter whether they are coming to fight against us or to ask for peace. Capture them, but do not kill them
19 Choncho asilikali achinyamata a nduna za mʼzigawo anatuluka mu mzinda, gulu lankhondo lili pambuyo pawo.
The young Israeli soldiers went out of the city to attack [the Syrian army], and the other soldiers in the Israeli army followed them.
20 Ndipo aliyense wa iwo anapha munthu wake. Ataona izi, Aaramu anathawa Aisraeli ali pambuyo pawo kuwapirikitsa. Koma Beni-Hadadi mfumu ya ku Aaramu anathawa atakwera pa kavalo pamodzi ndi ankhondo ena okweranso pa akavalo.
Each [Israeli soldier] killed a [Syrian] soldier. The rest of the Syrian army then ran away, and the Israeli soldiers pursued them. But King Ben-Hadad escaped riding his horse, along with some other men riding horses.
21 Mfumu ya Israeli inapita chitsogolo ndi kugwira akavalo ndi magaleta ndipo Aaramu ambiri anaphedwa.
Then the king of Israel went out [of the city], and he and his soldiers captured [all] the [other Syrian] horses and chariots, and also killed a large number of Syrian soldiers.
22 Zitachitika izi, mneneri wina anabwera kwa mfumu ya Israeli ndipo anati, “Mulimbike ndipo muganize bwino zoti mudzachite, chifukwa chaka chikudzachi mfumu ya Aramu idzakuthiraninso nkhondo.”
Then that same prophet went to King Ahab and said to him, “Go back and prepare your soldiers, and think carefully about what will be necessary for you to do, because the king of Syria with attack with his army again in the springtime of next year.”
23 Nthawi imeneyi, akuluakulu a mfumu ya Aramu anamulangiza kuti, “Milungu ya anthu a ku Israeli ndi milungu ya mʼmapiri. Nʼchifukwa chake anali ndi mphamvu zotipambana ife. Koma ngati tidzamenyana nawo ku chigwa, ndithudi ife tidzakhala ndi mphamvu kuposa iwo.
[After the Syrian army was defeated, ] Ben-Hadad’s officials said to him, “The gods that the Israelis [worship] are gods [who live] in the hills. [Samaria is built on a hill, and] that is why their soldiers were able to defeat us. But if we fight against them in the plains/lowlands, we certainly will be able to defeat them.
24 Inu chitani izi: chotsani mafumu onse pa maudindo awo ndipo mʼmalo mwawo muyikemo atsogoleri a ankhondo.
So, this is what you should do: You must remove the 32 kings [who are leading your troops] and replace them with army commanders.
25 Musonkhanitsenso gulu lankhondo lofanana ndi lomwe linaphedwa lija, akavalo monga omwe anaphedwa aja, ndi magaleta monga omwe anawonongedwa aja, kuti tikamenyane ndi Israeli ku chigwa. Pamenepo, ife tidzapambana iwowo.” Beni-Hadadi anagwirizana nawo ndipo anachita momwemo.
Then gather an army like the army that was defeated. Gather an army that has as many horses and chariots as the first army had. Then we will fight the Israelis in the plains/lowlands, and we will surely defeat them.” Ben-Hadad agreed with them, and he did what they suggested.
26 Chaka chinacho Beni-Hadadi anasonkhanitsa Aaramu, napita ku Afeki kukamenyana ndi Israeli.
In the spring of the following year, he gathered his soldiers and marched [with them] to Aphek [city east of Galilee Lake], to fight against the Israeli army.
27 Aisraeli atasonkhananso, napatsidwa zakudya zawo anapita kukakumana nawo. Aisraeli anamanga misasa yawo moyangʼanana ndi Aaramu ndipo ankaoneka ngati timagulu tiwiri ta mbuzi, pomwe Aaramu anali atakuta dera lonselo.
The Israeli army was also gathered together, and they were equipped with the things that they needed [for the battle]. Then they marched out and formed two groups facing the Syrian army. Their army was very small; they resembled two small flocks of goats, whereas the Syrian army [was very large and] spread all over the countryside.
28 Munthu wa Mulungu anabwera, nawuza mfumu ya Israeli kuti, “Yehova akuti, ‘Popeza Aaramu akuganiza kuti Yehova ndi mulungu wa ku mapiri, osati wa ku zigwa, Ine ndidzapereka chigulu chonsechi kwa iwe, ndipo iwe udzadziwa kuti Ine ndine Yehova.’”
A prophet came to King Ahab and said to him, “This is what Yahweh says: ‘The Syrians say that I am a god who lives in the hills, and that I am not a god who lives in the valleys. So I will [show that they are wrong by] enabling your men to defeat this huge army [IDM] [in the valley], and you will know that I, Yahweh, [have done it].’”
29 Kwa masiku asanu ndi awiri anakhala moyangʼanana mʼmisasa yawo, ndipo pa tsiku lachisanu ndi chiwiri nkhondo inayambika. Aisraeli anapha Aaramu okwana 100,000 tsiku limodzi lokha.
The two armies stayed in their tents for seven days, in groups that faced each other. Then, on the seventh day, they started fighting. The Israeli army killed 100,000 Syrian soldiers.
30 Ena onse otsala anathawira ku Afeki, kumene khoma linagwera anthu 27,000. Ndipo Beni-Hadadi anathawira mu mzinda, nakabisala mʼchipinda chamʼkati.
The other Syrian soldiers ran away into Aphek City. Then the wall of the city collapsed and killed 27,000 more Syrian soldiers. Ben-Hadad also escaped into the city, and hid in the back room of a house.
31 Atumiki ake anamuwuza kuti, “Taonani, ife tamva kuti mafumu a fuko la Israeli ndi achifundo. Tiyeni tipite kwa mfumu ya ku Israeli titavala ziguduli mʼchiwuno mwathu ndi kumanga zingwe mʼmakosi mwathu. Mwina iye sakakuphani.”
His officials went to him and said, “We have heard a report that the Israelis act mercifully. So allow us to go to the king of Israel, wearing coarse sacks around our waists and ropes on our heads/necks [to indicate that we will be his slaves]. Perhaps [if we do that, ] he will allow you to remain alive.”
32 Atavala ziguduli mʼchiwuno mwawo ndi kumanga zingwe mʼmakosi mwawo, anapita kwa mfumu ya ku Israeli ndipo anayiwuza kuti, “Mtumiki wanu Beni-Hadadi akunena kuti, ‘Chonde loleni kuti ndikhale moyo.’” Mfumu inayankha kuti, “Kodi iye akanali ndi moyo? Iye ujatu ndi mʼbale wanga.”
[The king permitted them to do that, ] so they wrapped coarse sacks around their waists and put ropes on their heads/necks, and they went to the king of Israel and said to him, “Ben-Hadad, who greatly respects you, says, ‘Please do not kill me.’” Ahab replied, “Is he still alive? He is like a brother to me!”
33 Anthuwo ankaganiza kuti mawuwo anali abwino ndipo anavomereza mawuwa mofulumira. Iwo anati, “Inde, Beni-Hadadi ndi mʼbale wanu!” Mfumu inati, “Pitani kamutengeni.” Beni-Hadadi atatuluka, Ahabu anamukweza mʼgaleta lake.
Ben-Hadad’s officials were trying to find out if Ahab would act mercifully, and when Ahab said “brother,” they (were optimistic/thought that Ahab would be merciful). So they replied, “Yes, he is like your brother!” Ahab said, “Go and bring him to me.” So they [went and] brought Ben-Hadad to him. [When Ben-Hadad arrived, ] Ahab told him to get in his chariot [and sit with him].
34 Beni-Hadadi anawuza Ahabu kuti, “Ndidzabweza mizinda imene abambo anga analanda abambo anu. Ndipo mutha kumanga nyumba zanu zamalonda mu Damasiko, monga anachitira abambo anga ku Samariya.” Ahabu anati, “Chifukwa cha mgwirizano umenewu, ine ndidzakumasula.” Choncho anachita naye mgwirizano, ndipo anamulola kuti apite.
Ben-Hadad said to him, “I will give back to you the towns that my father’s army took from your father. And I will allow you to set up market areas for your merchants in Damascus [my capital], just as my father did in Samaria [your capital].” Ahab replied, “Because you agree to do that, I will not execute you.” So Ahab made an agreement with Ben-Hadad, and allowed him to go home.
35 Molamulidwa ndi Yehova, mmodzi mwa ana a aneneri anawuza mnzake kuti, “Chonde, menye ndi chida chako,” koma mnzakeyo anakana.
Then Yahweh spoke to a member of a group of prophets and said to him, “Ask one of your fellow prophets to strike and wound you.” [So he did what Yahweh told him to do]. [He said to one of his fellow prophets, ‘Strike me and wound me].’ But that man refused to do it.
36 Choncho mneneriyo anati, “Chifukwa sunamvere Yehova, ukangochoka pano, mkango ukupha.” Ndipo munthuyo atangochoka pamenepo, mkango unamupeza ndi kumupha.
So the prophet said to him, “Because you refused to obey what Yahweh told you to do, a lion will kill you as soon as you leave me.” And as soon as he left that prophet, a lion suddenly pounced on him and killed him.
37 Mneneriyo anapeza munthu wina ndipo anamuwuza kuti, “Chonde, menye.” Choncho munthuyo anamumenya ndi kumuvulaza.
Then the prophet found another prophet, and said to him, “Strike me!” So that man hit him [very hard] and injured him.
38 Pamenepo mneneriyo anapita nakayima pa msewu kudikirira mfumu. Iye anadzibisa nakulunga nsalu nkhope yake.
Then the prophet put a large bandage/cloth over his face so that no one would recognize him. Then he went and stood alongside the road, waiting for the king to come by.
39 Mmene mfumu inkadutsa pamenepo, mneneriyo anafuwula kwa mfumuyo kuti, “Ine mtumiki wanu ndinalowa pakati pa nkhondo, ndipo munthu wina anabwera kwa ine atatenga mmodzi mwa anthu ogwidwa pa nkhondo, nandiwuza kuti, ‘Sunga munthu uyu. Ngati asowa, ndiye kuti ndidzakupha, kapena udzalipira ndalama 3,000 za siliva.’
When the king passed by, the prophet cried out to him, saying “Your majesty, [after I was wounded] while I was fighting in a battle, a soldier brought to me one of our enemies that he had captured, and said to me, ‘Guard this man! If he escapes, you must pay me 3,000 pieces of silver, and if you do not pay that, you will be executed!’
40 Pamene ine mtumiki wanu ndinali wotanganidwa apa ndi apa, munthuyo anasowa.” Mfumu ya Israeli inati, “Chimenechi ndiye chilango chako. Iwe wadziweruza wekha.”
But while I was busy doing other things, the man escaped!” The king of Israel said to him, “That is your problem! You yourself have said that you deserve to be punished.”
41 Pamenepo mneneriyo anachotsa msangamsanga nsalu yomwe anakulunga pa nkhope yake, ndipo mfumu ya Israeli inamuzindikira kuti ndi mmodzi mwa aneneri.
The prophet immediately took off the bandage, and the king of Israel recognized that he was one of the prophets.
42 Iye anawuza mfumu kuti, “Yehova akuti, ‘Chifukwa chakuti mwamasula munthu amene Ine ndinati ndi woyenera kuphedwa, inuyo ndi amene mudzaphedwe mʼmalo mwa iyeyo, anthu anu mʼmalo mwa anthu ake.’”
And the prophet said to him, “This is what Yahweh says: ‘You have allowed that man [Ben-Hadad] to escape after I commanded you to be sure to execute him! Since you did not do that, you will be killed instead. And your army will be destroyed because you allowed [some of] his army to escape!’”
43 Mwachisoni ndi mokwiya, mfumu ya Israeli inapita ku nyumba yake yaufumu ku Samariya.
The king went back home to Samaria, very angry and depressed/dejected.
