Samuel 1 14
1 Gbe ɖeka la, Fiavi Yonatan gblɔ na ɖekakpui si nye eƒe adekplɔvi la be, “Na míato balime la ayi Filistitɔwo ƒe dzɔlawo gbɔ.” Ke megblɔe na fofoa be yeyina o.
One day Jonathan, son of Saul, said to the young armor-bearer, “Come on, let's cross over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” But he didn't let his father know his plans.
2 Saul kple eƒe aʋawɔla alafa adeawo ƒo ƒu ɖe yevuboɖati la gbɔ le Migron.
Saul was staying near Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. He had about six hundred men with him,
3 Nunɔla Ahiya si do akɔtawui hã nɔ ameawo dome. Ahiya nye Ahitub, Ikabod nɔvi ƒe vi, eganye Finehas ƒe tɔgbuiyɔvi eye Finehas fofoe nye Eli, Yehowa ƒe nunɔla le Silo. Ke ame aɖeke menya be Yonatan yi o.
including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod's brother Ahitub, son of Phinehas, son of Eli, priest of the Lord in Shiloh. No one realized Jonathan had left.
4 Hafi Yonatan naɖo Filistitɔwo ƒe dzɔlawo gbɔ la, ele nɛ be wòato mɔ xaxɛ aɖe si to agakpe eve dome la dzi. Woyɔa agakpe ɖeka be Bozez eye woyɔa evelia be Sene.
Cliffs stood on both sides of the pass that Jonathan planned to cross to reach the Philistine garrison, one called Bozez and the other Seneh.
5 Agakpe anyiehetɔ nɔ Mikmas ŋgɔ eye dziehetɔ nɔ Geba ŋgɔ.
The cliff to the north was on the Michmash side, the one to the south on the Geba side.
6 Yonatan gblɔ na eƒe adekplɔvi be, “Na míayi aʋamatsomatsoetɔ mawo gbɔ, ɖewohĩ Yehowa awɔ nukunu aɖe na mí elabena amewo ƒe agbɔsɔsɔ menye naneke le Yehowa gbɔ o!”
Jonathan said to the young armor-bearer, “Come on, let's cross over to the garrison of these heathen men. Maybe the Lord will help us out. It's not a problem for the Lord to win, whether by many or by few.”
7 Adekplɔvi la gblɔ be, “Yoo, wɔ nu si nyo na wò; mele yowòme sesĩe.”
“You choose what you want to do,” the armor-bearer replied. “I'm with you whatever you decide!”
8 Yonatan gblɔ nɛ be, “Enyo, nu si míawɔ enye
“Let's go then!” Jonathan said. “We'll cross over in their direction so they can see us.
9 ne futɔwo kpɔ mí eye wogblɔ be, ‘Mitɔ ɖe afi ma ne menye nenema o la, míawu mi’ la, ekema míatɔ alala wo.
If they tell us, ‘Wait there until we come down to you,’ we will wait where we are and we won't go up to them.
10 Ke ne wogblɔ be, ‘Milia toa miava wɔ aʋa kpli mí’ la, ekema míawɔ nenema tutututu elabena eyae anye dzesi be Yehowa tsɔ wo de asi na mí.”
But if they say, ‘Come on up to us,’ we'll climb up, for that will be the sign that the Lord has handed them over to us.”
11 Esi Filistitɔwo kpɔ wo wogbɔna la, wodo ɣli be, “Mikpɔ ɖa, Israelviwo le dodom le woƒe dowo me!”
So both of them let themselves be seen by Philistine garrison. “Hey, look!” shouted the Philistines. “The Hebrews are coming out of the holes they were hiding in.”
12 Wodo ɣli na Yonatan be, “Lia toa nàva kpɔ nane ɖa.” Yonatan gblɔ na eƒe adekplɔvi be, “Lia toa eye nànɔ yonyeme tututu elabena Yehowa akpe ɖe mía ŋu míaɖu wo dzi!”
The men from the garrison called down to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up here, and we'll teach you a thing or two!” “Follow me up,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the Lord has handed them over to Israel.”
13 Ale wota le asi kple klo dzi yi wo gbɔ, kasia Filistitɔwo de asi sisi me esi Yonatan kple eƒe adekplɔvi la de asi wo wuwu me.
So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. Jonathan attacked and killed them, and his armor-bearer followed doing the same.
14 Wowu wo dometɔ blaeve eye ame kukuawo kaka ɖe teƒe si de agbleka afã.
In this first attack, Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed about twenty men over an area of half an acre.
15 Nu sia na Filistitɔwo ƒe aʋawɔlawo kple nuhalawo sia vɔ̃ eye wotɔtɔ. Hekpe ɖe esia ŋu la anyigba ʋuʋu sesĩe eye vɔvɔ̃ gaɖo futɔwo wu tsã elabena ŋɔdzi la tso Mawu gbɔ.
Then Philistines went into a panic, in the camp, in the field, and throughout their army. Even those in the outposts and the groups of raiders became terrified. The earth shook—this was a panic from God.
16 Saul ƒe gbetakpɔlawo le Benyamin ƒe Gibea kpɔ nu wɔnuku aɖe: wokpɔ Filistitɔwo ƒe aʋawɔlawo nɔ sisim tso afii yi afi mɛ.
Saul's lookouts at Gibeah in Benjamin saw the Philistine army melting away, scattering in all directions.
17 Saul gblɔ na eƒe amewo be, “Mikpɔe ɖa be ame kae mele afi sia o.” Esi woxlẽ ameawo la, wokpɔ be Yonatan kple eƒe adekplɔvi menɔ wo dome o.
Saul told the soldiers with him, “Do a roll-call and find out who isn't here with us.” When they did the roll-call, they discovered that Jonathan and his armor-bearer weren't there.
18 Saul do ɣli gblɔ na Ahiya be, “Mitsɔ Mawu ƒe nubablaɖaka la vɛ!” nubablaɖaka la nɔ Israelviwo dome ɣe ma ɣi.
Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the Ark of God here.” (At the time the Ark of God traveled with the Israelites.)
19 Ke esi Saul nɔ nu ƒom na nunɔlaa la, Filistitɔwo ƒe ɣlidodo kple ʋunyaʋunyawɔwɔ le woƒe asaɖa me nɔ dzi dem ɖe edzi. Saul gblɔ be, “Netsɔ! Nya kae Yehowa gblɔ?”
But as Saul was speaking to the priest, the commotion coming from the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. So Saul told the priest, “Forget it!”
20 Saul kple eƒe ame alafa adeawo zɔ ɖe Filistitɔwo dzi. Wokpɔ be wonɔ wo nɔewo wum ko nyamanyama.
Then Saul and all his army assembled and went into battle. They discovered the Philistines were in total disarray, attacking each other with swords.
21 Hebritɔ siwo nɔ Filistitɔwo ƒe aʋakɔ me tsã la, dze aglã eye wodzo va de Israelvi siwo le Saul kple Yonatan ŋu la dzi.
The Hebrews who had previously sided with the Philistines, and who were with them in their camp, switched sides and joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.
22 Mlɔeba la, esi Israelvi siwo ɣla wo ɖokuiwo ɖe Efraim toawo dzi la kpɔ be Filistitɔwo nɔ sisim la, woawo hã va kpe ɖe wo nɔviwo ŋu wonya Filistitɔwo ɖe du nu.
When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were running away, they also joined in chasing after the Philistines to attack them.
23 Ale Yehowa ɖe Israel gbe ma gbe eye wowɔ aʋa la dze le Bet Aven ŋu.
On that day the Lord saved Israel, and the battle extended past Beth-aven.
24 Ale Israelviwo ɖo xaxa gã aɖe me gbe ma gbe elabena Saul bla ameawo kple atam be, “Fiƒode ava ame si aɖu nu hafi fiẽ naɖo la dzi eye ame aɖeke mekpɔ mɔ aɖu nu o, va se ɖe esime mabia hlɔ̃ nye futɔwo!” Ale ame aɖeke meɖu nu la aʋakɔ me gbe ma gbe o.
It was difficult for the men of Israel that day because Saul had ordered the army to take an oath, saying, “Cursed is anyone who eats anything before evening, before I have avenged myself on my enemies.” So no one in the army had eaten anything.
25 Aʋakɔ blibo la ge ɖe ave la me eye wokpɔ anyitsi le anyigba.
When they all entered the forest they found honeycomb on the ground.
26 Esi wole avea me la, wokpɔ anyitsi wole dzidzim gake ame aɖeke mede asi eme ɖuɖɔ o, elabena wovɔ̃ Saul ƒe atam si wòka la.
While they were in the forest they saw the honey running out, but no one picked it up to eat it because they were all afraid of the oath they had taken.
27 Ke Yonatan ya mese se si fofoa de o eya ta wòtsɔ eƒe atikplɔ tɔ anyitsia me heno eye ŋusẽ gaɖo eŋu.
But Jonathan hadn't heard that his father had ordered the army to take this oath. So he stuck the end of his stick into the honeycomb, picked up a piece to eat, and he felt much better.
28 Ke ame aɖe gblɔ nɛ be fofoa, Saul, ƒo fi de ame sia ame si aɖu nane gbe ma gbe la, evɔ dɔwuame na ame sia ame gbɔdzɔ hafi.
But one of the soldiers told him, “Your father made the army take a solemn oath, saying, ‘Cursed is anyone who eats anything today!’ That is why the men are exhausted.”
29 Yonatan gblɔ be, “Se sesẽ kae nye esi fofonye de na ameawo? Se sia agblẽ nu le mía ŋu boŋ. Mikpɔ ale si ŋusẽ ɖo menye esi meno anyitsi sue sia ɖa!
“My father has caused a whole lot of trouble for everyone,” Jonathan replied. “See how well I am because I've eaten a little of this honey.
30 Nenye ɖe woɖe mɔ be ameawo naɖu nu si wokpɔ le futɔwo dome la, anye ne míagate ŋu awu futɔ gbogbo aɖewo wu esia gɔ̃ hã.”
It would have been so much better if only the army had eaten plenty today from the plunder taken from their enemies! How many more Philistines would have been killed?”
31 Ke wotsɔ dɔwuame nya Filistitɔwo eye wowu wo tso Mikmas yi Aiyalon ke, le esime woƒe ɖeɖiteameŋu nu ganɔ sesẽm ɖe edzi.
After defeating the Philistines that day, killing them from Michmash to Aijalon, the Israelites were totally exhausted.
32 Gbe ma gbe fiẽ la, wowu alẽ, nyi kple nyivi siwo woha le aʋa la me eye woɖu woƒe lã kple ʋua katã nenema.
They grabbed the plunder, taking sheep, cattle, and calves, and slaughtered them right there on the ground. But they ate them with the blood.
33 Ame aɖe gblɔ nya si dzɔ la na Saul be ameawo nɔ nu vɔ̃ wɔm ɖe Yehowa ŋu to nuɖuɖu me. Saul gblɔ be, “Nu sia mesɔ kura o! Mimli kpe gã aɖe vɛ nam
Saul was told, “Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat with the blood.” “Law-breakers!” said Saul. “Roll a large stone over here right now!”
34 eye miagblɔ na ameawo be woahe nyiawo kple alẽwo ava wu le afi sia eye woatsyɔ ʋu le wo me ale be womawɔ nu vɔ̃ ɖe Yehowa ŋu to ʋuɖuɖu me o.” Ale ame ɖe sia ɖe kplɔ eƒe nyi ɖe asi yi le zã ma me eye wowu wo le afi ma.
Then he said, “Go around the soldiers and tell them, ‘Every man must bring me his cattle or his sheep and slaughter them here, and then eat. Don't sin against the Lord by eating meat with the blood.’” Everyone in the army brought what he had and slaughtered it there that night.
35 Saul ɖi eƒe vɔsamlekpui gbãtɔ na Yehowa.
So Saul built an altar to the Lord. This was the first altar he had built to the Lord.
36 Le esia megbe la, Saul gblɔ be, “Mina míanya Filistitɔwo to zã blibo la me eye míawu ame siwo susɔ la dometɔ ɖe sia ɖe.” Ameawo lɔ̃ ɖe edzi be, “Enyo; wɔ nu sia nu si dze ŋuwò.” Ke nunɔla la gblɔ be, “Mina míabia Mawu gbã.”
Saul said, “Let's go and chase down the Philistines during night and plunder them till dawn, leaving no survivors.” “Do what you think best,” they replied. But the priest said, “Let's ask God first.”
37 Ale Saul bia Mawu be, “Ɖe míayi Filistitɔwo nyanya dzia? Ɖe nàkpe ɖe mía ŋu míaɖu wo dzia?” Ke Yehowa meɖo nya aɖeke ŋu le zã blibo la me o.
Saul asked God, “Shall I go down and chase down the Philistines? Will you hand them over to Israel?” But that day God didn't answer him.
38 Ale Saul gblɔ na kplɔlawo be, “Ame aɖe wɔ nu vɔ̃ ɖe Mawu ŋu, ele be míadze si nu vɔ̃ si míewɔ egbe.
So Saul gave the order, “All you army commanders, come here so we can investigate what sin has happened today.
39 Mele atam kam na Mawu ame si ɖe Israel dukɔ la be, nenye nye ŋutɔ vinye, Yonatan kurae wɔ nu vɔ̃ sia hã la aku kokoko.” Ke womekpɔ ame si wɔ nu vɔ̃ la o.
I swear on the life of the Lord who saves Israel, that even if it's my son Jonathan, he will have to die!” But no one of the whole army said anything.
40 Tete Saul gblɔ na Israelviwo katã be, “Mitsi tsitre ɖe afi ma ke nye kple vinye Yonatan míatsi tsitre ɖe afii.” Ameawo ɖo eŋu nɛ be, “Wɔ nu sia nu si ke nyo na wo.”
Saul told them all, “You stand over to one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the opposite side.” “Do what you think best,” the army replied.
41 Ale Saul do gbe ɖa na Yehowa, Israel ƒe Mawu la be. “Nu ka ŋuti mètɔ na wò dɔla egbea o? Ne vodada la le menye alo vinye, Yonatan me la, ekema ɖo eŋu na mí to Urim dzi, gake nenye Israelviwo mee agɔdzedze la le la, tɔ na mí to Tumim dzi.” Ale wodzidze nu ɖe Yonatan kple Saul dzi eye wòdze wo dzi ale womebu fɔ ameawo o.
Saul prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, “Let the Thummin show.” Jonathan and Saul were identified, while everyone else was cleared.
42 Azɔ Saul gblɔ be, “Midzidze nu ɖe nye kple Yonatan dzi.” Esi woagadzidze nua la, edze Yonatan dzi.
Then Saul said, “Cast lots between me and my son Jonathan.” Jonathan was selected.
43 Saul gblɔ na Yonatan be, “Vinye, nu kae nèwɔ?” Yonatan gblɔ be, “Meɖɔ anyitsi sue aɖe kpɔ, sue aɖe si nɔ nye atikplɔ ŋu koe meɖuɖɔ, ke azɔ la medze na ku.”
“Tell me what you have done,” Saul asked Jonathan. “I just tasted a little honey with the end of my stick,” Jonathan told him. “Here I am, and I have to die.”
44 Saul gblɔ be, “Ɛ̃, Yonatan, ele be nàku, Mawu neƒom ƒu anyi maku ne womewu wò ɖe nu sia ta o.”
Saul said, “May God punish me very severely if you do not die, Jonathan!”
45 Ke aʋawɔlawo ɖo eŋu be, “Yonatan, ame si ɖe Israel egbea nakua? Gbeɖe! Míeka atam kple Mawu ƒe agbe be ame aɖeke maka asi Yonatan ƒe taɖa ɖeka pɛ gɔ̃ hã ŋu o elabena Mawu wɔ eŋu dɔ hewɔ nukunu triakɔ aɖe egbe.” Ale ameawo xɔ na Yonatan.
But the people told Saul, “Does Jonathan have to die, the one who achieved this great victory in Israel? Absolutely not! We swear on the life of the Lord, not a single hair of his head will fall to the ground, for it was with God's help that he achieved this today.” The people saved Jonathan, and he didn't die.
46 Saul na aʋawɔlawo gbugbɔ eye Filistitɔwo trɔ yi aƒe.
Saul stopped chasing down the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own country.
47 Esi Saul zu fia ɖe Israel dzi la, ewɔ aʋa kple woƒe futɔwo le akpa sia akpa dzi: Moabtɔwo, Amonitɔwo, Edomtɔwo, Zoba fiawo kple Filistitɔwo siaa. Afi sia afi si ke wotrɔ ɖo la, eɖua wo dzi vevie.
After Saul had made his hold over Israel secure, he fought against all his enemies all around: Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Whatever direction he went he defeated them all.
48 Ewɔ aʋa kalẽtɔe, ɖu Amalekitɔwo dzi eye wòɖe Israel tso ame siwo katã ha wo la si me.
He fought bravely, conquering the Amalekites, saving Israel from those who plundered them.
49 Viŋutsu etɔ̃, Yonatan, Isvi kple Malki Sua kple vinyɔnu eve, Merab kple Mixal nɔ Saul si.
Saul's sons were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. The names of his two daughters were Merab, (the firstborn), and Michal, (the younger one).
50 Saul srɔ̃e nye Ahinoam, Ahimaaz vinyɔnu. Eƒe aʋafiae nye Abner, etɔɖia Ner viŋutsu
The name of his wife was Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of Saul's army commander was Abner, son of Ner, and Ner was Saul's uncle.
51 Saul fofo, Kis kple Abner fofo, Ner wonye Abiel viŋutsuwo.
Saul's father Kish and Abner's father Ner were sons of Abiel.
52 Israel wɔ aʋa kple Filistitɔwo edziedzi le Saul ƒe agbenɔɣi. Ne Saul kpɔ ɖekakpui sesẽ kalẽtɔ aɖe ko la, ehenɛ dea eƒe aʋakɔ la me.
Throughout Saul's lifetime there was constant war with the Philistines. Saul recruited into his army every strong warrior and every brave fighter that he met.
