1 Samuel 11
1 About a month later, King Nahash of Ammon [led his army across the Jordan River, and they] surrounded Jabesh [city] in [the] Gilead [region]. But all the men of Jabesh [went and] said to Nahash, “Make an agreement/treaty with us [not to kill us], and then we will let you rule us.”
Nahashi yule Mwamoni, akakwea kuuzunguka kwa jeshi mji wa Yabeshi-Gileadi. Watu wote wa Yabeshi wakamwambia, “Fanya mkataba na sisi, na tutakuwa chini yako.”
2 Nahash replied, “I will do that if you do one thing. Allow us to gouge out all the right eyes of your people. By doing that we will cause the people [in other countries] to despise all you Israeli people.”
Lakini Nahashi yule Mwamoni akajibu, “Nitafanya mkataba na ninyi tu kwa sharti kwamba nitangʼoa jicho la kulia la kila mmoja wenu, na hivyo kuleta aibu juu ya Israeli yote.”
3 The leaders of Jabesh replied, “Do not attack us for the next seven days. During that time, we will send messengers throughout Israel [to tell them what you are demanding]. If no one will help us, then we will (surrender to you/allow you to do to us whatever you want).”
Viongozi wa Yabeshi wakamwambia, “Tupe siku saba ili tuweze kutuma wajumbe katika Israeli yote, kama hakuna hata mmoja anayekuja kutuokoa, tutajisalimisha kwako.”
4 [Being very confident that his army was very superior, Nahash agreed. So the leaders of Jabesh sent messengers throughout Israel]. When the messengers came to Gibeah, which was [the city] where Saul lived, and they told the people there about the situation, everyone started to cry.
Wajumbe walipofika Gibea ya Sauli na kutoa taarifa juu ya masharti haya kwa watu, wote walilia kwa sauti kubwa.
5 At that time, Saul was plowing in the field. When he returned home, he asked, “Why are all the people [crying]?” So they told him what the messengers from Jabesh had reported.
Wakati huo huo Sauli alikuwa anarudi kutoka mashambani, akiwa nyuma ya maksai wake, naye akauliza, “Watu wana nini? Mbona wanalia?” Ndipo wakamweleza jinsi watu wa Yabeshi walivyokuwa wamesema.
6 Then God’s Spirit came powerfully upon Saul, and he became very angry [because of what Nahash wanted to do].
Sauli aliposikia maneno yao, Roho wa Mungu akaja juu yake kwa nguvu, naye akawaka hasira.
7 He took two of his oxen [and killed them] and cut them into pieces. Then he sent messengers [carrying those pieces] throughout Israel to tell people this message: “Saul says that [he cut this ox in pieces, and that he] will do the same thing to the oxen of anyone who refuses to come with him and Samuel to fight [the army from Ammon]!” Then Yahweh caused all the people of Israel to be afraid of what Saul might do to them (OR, of what Yahweh might do to them) [if they did not go and help Saul]. So the men all gathered together.
Akachukua jozi ya maksai na kuwakata vipande vipande, naye kuvituma hivyo vipande kupitia wajumbe katika Israeli yote, wakitangaza, “Hivi ndivyo itakavyofanyika kwa maksai wa kila mmoja ambaye hatamfuata Sauli na Samweli.” Kisha hofu ya Bwana ikawaangukia watu, nao wakatoka kama mtu mmoja.
8 When Saul gave them all weapons at Bezek, he saw that there were 300,000 Israeli men there, as well as 30,000 men from the tribe of Judah.
Sauli alipowakusanya huko Bezeki, watu wa Israeli walikuwa 300,000 na watu wa Yuda 30,000.
9 So Saul sent messengers back to the people at Jabesh to tell them, “We will rescue/save you by noontime tomorrow.” When the people of Jabesh heard that message, they were very joyful/happy.
Wakawaambia wale wajumbe waliokuwa wamekuja, “Waambieni watu wa Yabeshi-Gileadi, ‘Kesho kabla jua halijawa kali, mtaokolewa.’” Wajumbe walipokwenda na kutoa taarifa hii kwa watu wa Yabeshi, wakafurahi.
10 Then the men of Jabesh told [Nahash], “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and then you can do to us whatever you want to.”
Wakawaambia Waamoni, “Kesho tutajisalimisha kwenu, nanyi mtaweza kututendea chochote mnachoona chema kwenu.”
11 But before the sun rose the next morning, Saul [and his army arrived. He] divided them into three groups. They rushed into the camp of the soldiers from Ammon, and attacked them. By noontime they had killed most of them, and those who were not killed scattered. Each of them who ran away ran away alone.
Kesho yake Sauli alitenganisha watu wake katika vikosi vitatu; wakati wa zamu ya mwisho ya usiku wakaingia katika kambi ya Waamoni na kuwachinja mpaka mchana. Wale walionusurika wakasambaa, kiasi kwamba hawakusalia watu wawili pamoja.
12 Then the people [of Jabesh] said to Samuel, “Where are those men who said that they did not want Saul to be our king? Bring them here, and we will kill them!”
Kisha watu wakamwambia Samweli, “Ni nani yule aliyeuliza, ‘Je, Sauli atatawala juu yetu?’ Tuletee hawa watu, nasi tutawaua.”
13 But Saul replied, “[No], we are not going to execute anyone today, because this is the day that Yahweh has saved us Israeli people. [It is a day to rejoice, not to kill anyone].”
Lakini Sauli akasema, “Hakuna hata mmoja atakayeuawa leo, kwa kuwa siku hii Bwana ameokoa Israeli.”
14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Let’s all go to Gilgal, and there we will again proclaim [that Saul is] our king.”
Ndipo Samweli akawaambia watu, “Njooni, twendeni Gilgali na huko tuthibitishe ufalme.”
15 So they went to Gilgal. There, knowing that Yahweh was watching, they proclaimed that Saul was their king. Then they offered sacrifices to enable them to maintain fellowship with Yahweh. And Saul and all the other Israeli people were very happy.
Kwa hiyo watu wote wakaenda Gilgali na kumthibitisha Sauli kuwa mfalme mbele za Bwana. Huko wakatoa dhabihu za sadaka za amani mbele za Bwana, naye Sauli na Waisraeli wote wakafanya karamu kubwa.
