撒母耳記上 11

1 大約過了一個月，阿孟人納哈士上來圍困基肋阿得的雅貝士，雅貝士所有的居民對納哈士說：「你與我們立約，我們就服事你。」

Then came up Nahash the Ammonite, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead, —and all the man of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Solemnise with us a covenant, that we may serve thee.

2 阿孟人納哈士回答他們說：「在這條件下，我纔與你們立約：就是剜出你們各人的右眼，我要藉此羞辱全以色列。」

And Nahash the Ammonite said unto them, Hereby, will I solemnise [a covenant] with you by digging out for you, every one’s right eye, —and laying it for a reproach, upon all Israel.

3 雅貝士的長老回答他說：「請讓我們休戰七天，我們派人到以色列全境去，如果沒有人來救我們，我們就向你投降。

And the elders of Jabesh said unto him—Give us a respite of seven days, that we may send messengers throughout all the bounds of Israel, —and then, if there is none to save us, we will come out unto thee.

4 使者到了撒烏耳的基貝亞，就把這事講給民眾聽，民眾遂放聲大哭。

And, when the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, and spake the words in the ears of the people, all the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

5 那時撒烏耳正跟著牛從田間回來，便問說：「民眾有什麼事，如此號淘大哭﹖」人們就把雅貝士人的話講給他聽。

But lo! Saul, came in, following the oxen, out of the field, and Saul said, What aileth the people, that they should weep? Then were recounted to him the words of the men of Jabesh.

6 撒烏耳一聽說這些話，上主的神便降在他身上，遂勃然大怒，

And the Spirit of God came suddenly upon Saul, when he heard these words, —and his anger raged furiously.

7 立即牽了一對牛來，剖分成塊，託使者分送到以色列全境說：「凡不隨從撒烏耳如撒慕爾出征的，也必這樣對待他的牛! 」上主的驚嚇降在民眾身上，因而他們好像一個人一齊出征。

So he took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces, and sent throughout all the bounds of Israel by the hand of messengers—saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul, and after Samuel, so, shall it be done unto his oxen. Then felt the dread of Yahweh, upon the people, and they came forth, as one man.

8 撒烏耳在貝則克檢閱了他們；以色列人共三十萬，猶大人三萬。

And, when he numbered them in Bezek, the sons of Israel were found to be—three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

9 撒烏耳對來的使者說：「你們這樣對基肋阿得的雅貝士人說：明天太陽正熱時，救援就必達到你們那裏。」使者便回去，向雅貝士人報告，他們都很喜歡。

So they said unto the messengers who had come—Thus, shall ye surely say to the men of Jabesh-gilead, To-morrow, shall ye have deliverance, about the time the son is hot. And, when the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they rejoiced.

10 雅貝士人遂對阿孟人說：「明天我們向你們投降，你們看著怎樣好，就怎樣對待我們罷!

So the men of Jabesh said, To-morrow, will we come out unto you, —Then shall ye do with us, according to all that is good in your eyes.

11 第二天撒烏耳把民眾分作三隊，在黎明以前衝入了阿孟人營中，擊殺他們一直到日中最熱的時候；剩下的人都逃散了，以至沒有兩人在一起。

And it came to pass on the morrow, that Saul set the people in three companies, and they entered into the midst of the host, during the morning watch, and smote Ammon until the day was hot. And it came to pass that, they who were left, were scattered, so that there were not left among them, two together.

12 民眾於是對撒慕爾說：「誰曾說過：撒烏耳豈能作我們的君王﹖把這些人交出來，讓我們處死他們! 」

Then said the people unto Samuel, Who is he that was saying, Shall, Saul, reign over us? Give up the men, that we may put them to death.

13 撒烏耳回答說：「今天不可處死任何人，因為今天上主在以色列中施行了救恩。」

But Saul said, There shall not be put to death a man, this day, —for, to-day, hath Yahweh wrought deliverance in Israel.

14 撒慕爾以後對民眾說：「來，我們到基耳加耳去，在那裏重新建立王國。」

Then said Samuel unto the people, Come and let us go to Gilgal, —and let us there renew the kingdom.

15 民眾便都去了基耳加耳，在那裏於上主面前立撒烏耳為王，並給上主奉獻了和平祭；撒烏耳同全體以色列人舉行了盛大的盛會。

So all the people went to Gilgal, and made Saul king there, before Yahweh, in Gilgal, and offered there sacrifices of peace-offerings before Yahweh, —and Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced there, exceedingly.