2 ശമൂവേൽ 19

1 “രാജാവ് അബ്ശാലോമിനെച്ചൊല്ലി കരഞ്ഞു വിലപിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നു,” എന്നു യോവാബു കേട്ടു.

౧రాజు తన కొడుకు గురించి విలపిస్తూ, విచారంగా ఉన్నాడన్న సంగతి ప్రజలందరికీ తెలిసింది. ఆనాటి విజయం ప్రజలందరి దుఃఖానికి కారణమయ్యింది.

2 “രാജാവു തന്റെ മകനെപ്രതി വ്യസനിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു,” എന്നു പറയുന്നതു പടയാളികളെല്ലാം കേട്ടിരുന്നതിനാൽ സൈന്യത്തിനെല്ലാം അന്നത്തെ വിജയം ദുഃഖമായി കലാശിച്ചു.

౨యుద్ధ సమయంలో భయపడి పారిపోయిన ప్రజలు దొంగలవలె తిరిగి పట్టణంలో ప్రవేశించారు.

3 പടയിൽനിന്നു തോറ്റോടി നാണംകെട്ടു വരുന്നവരെപ്പോലെ ജനമെല്ലാം അന്നു നഗരത്തിലേക്ക് പാത്തും പതുങ്ങിയും കടന്നുവന്നു.

౩రాజు తన ముఖం కప్పుకుని “అబ్షాలోమా నా బిడ్డా, అబ్షాలోమా నా బిడ్డా” అంటూ కేకలువేస్తూ ఏడుస్తున్నాడని, అబ్షాలోమును గూర్చి విలపిస్తున్నాడన్న విషయం యోవాబు విన్నాడు.

4 രാജാവു തന്റെ മുഖം മറച്ച് “എന്റെ മകനേ, അബ്ശാലോമേ! അബ്ശാലോമേ, എന്റെ മകനേ, എന്റെ മകനേ!” എന്നിങ്ങനെ ഉച്ചത്തിൽ കരഞ്ഞു.

౪అతడు ఉన్న నగరంలోని భవనానికి వచ్చాడు.

5 അപ്പോൾ യോവാബ് അരമനയിൽ രാജാവിന്റെ അടുക്കൽ ചെന്ന് ഈ വിധം പറഞ്ഞു: “അങ്ങയുടെയും അങ്ങയുടെ പുത്രീപുത്രന്മാരുടെയും അങ്ങയുടെ ഭാര്യമാരുടെയും വെപ്പാട്ടികളുടെയും ജീവനെ ഇപ്പോൾ രക്ഷിച്ചിരിക്കുന്ന ഈ ജനങ്ങളെ അങ്ങ് അപമാനിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു.

౫“నీ ప్రాణాన్ని, నీ కొడుకుల, కూతుళ్ళ ప్రాణాలను, నీ భార్యల, నీ ఉపపత్నుల ప్రాణాలను రక్షించిన నీ సేవకులనందరినీ నువ్వు సిగ్గుపరుస్తున్నావు.

6 അങ്ങയെ വെറുക്കുന്നവരെ അങ്ങു സ്നേഹിക്കുകയും സ്നേഹിക്കുന്നവരെ വെറുക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു. അങ്ങയുടെ സൈന്യാധിപന്മാരും അവരോടൊപ്പമുള്ള ജനങ്ങളും അങ്ങേക്ക് ഒന്നുമല്ലെന്ന് അങ്ങ് ഇന്നു തെളിയിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു. അബ്ശാലോം ജീവനോടെയിരിക്കുകയും ഞങ്ങളെല്ലാം മരിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ അങ്ങേക്ക് ഇന്നു സന്തോഷമാകുമായിരുന്നു എന്നു ഞാൻ മനസ്സിലാക്കുന്നു.

౬నీ సన్నిహితులను, అభిమానులను ద్వేషిస్తూ, నీ శత్రువులపై ప్రేమ చూపిస్తున్నావు. ఈనాడు నీ రాజ్య అధిపతులు, సేవకులు నీకు ఇష్టమైనవారు కారని చెబుతున్నావు. మేమంతా చనిపోయి అబ్షాలోము మాత్రం జీవించి ఉన్నట్టయితే అది నీకు సంతోషం కలిగించేది అని నేను గ్రహిస్తున్నాను. వెంటనే లేచి బయటికివచ్చి నీ సేవకులను ధైర్యపరచు.

7 അങ്ങ് ഉടനെ പുറത്തുവന്ന് അങ്ങയുടെ ജനത്തെ അഭിനന്ദിക്കണം! അപ്രകാരം ചെയ്യുന്നതിന് പുറത്തേക്കു വരാത്തപക്ഷം ഞാനിതാ, യഹോവയുടെ നാമത്തിൽ ആണയിട്ടുപറയുന്നു, ഇന്നു സന്ധ്യയാകുമ്പോഴേക്കും അങ്ങയുടെകൂടെ ഒരൊറ്റയാൾപോലും ഉണ്ടായിരിക്കുകയില്ല. അങ്ങയുടെ യൗവനകാലംമുതൽ ഇന്നുവരെ ഉണ്ടായിട്ടുള്ള സകല അനർഥങ്ങളെക്കാളും അതു ഗുരുതരമായിരിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യും.”

౭నువ్వు గనుక ఇప్పుడు బయటికి రాకపోతే ఈ రాత్రి ఒక్కడు కూడా నీ దగ్గర ఉండడని యెహోవా పేరట ఒట్టు పెట్టి చెబుతున్నాను. నీ చిన్నప్పటినుండి ఇప్పటివరకూ నీకు కలిగిన కీడులన్నిటికంటే అది నీకు మరీ కష్టంగా ఉంటుంది” అని రాజుతో చెప్పినప్పుడు రాజు లేచి బయటకు వచ్చి గుమ్మంలో కూర్చున్నాడు.

8 അതിനാൽ രാജാവ് എഴുന്നേറ്റ് കവാടത്തിൽ ഉപവിഷ്ടനായി. “രാജാവു കവാടത്തിൽ ഇരിക്കുന്നു,” എന്നു കേട്ടപ്പോൾ ജനമെല്ലാം അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ മുമ്പാകെ വന്നുചേർന്നു. ഇതിനിടെ ഇസ്രായേല്യരെല്ലാം സ്വന്തം ഭവനങ്ങളിലേക്ക് ഓടിപ്പോയിരുന്നു.

౮రాజు గుమ్మం దగ్గర కూర్చున్నాడన్న సంగతి ప్రజలంతా విని రాజును దర్శించేందుకు వచ్చారు. ఇశ్రాయేలువారంతా తమ తమ ఇళ్ళకు పారిపోయారు.

9 ഇസ്രായേലിന്റെ സകലഗോത്രങ്ങളിലും ജനം പരസ്പരം ഈ വിധം തർക്കിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരുന്നു; “രാജാവു നമ്മെ നമ്മുടെ ശത്രുക്കളുടെ കൈയിൽനിന്നു വിടുവിച്ചു. ഫെലിസ്ത്യരുടെ കൈയിൽനിന്നു നമ്മെ രക്ഷിച്ചതും അദ്ദേഹംതന്നെ. എന്നാലിപ്പോൾ അബ്ശാലോംമുഖാന്തരം നാട്ടിൽനിന്ന് ഓടിപ്പോയിരിക്കുന്നു.

౯ఆ సమయంలో ఇశ్రాయేలు గోత్రాలకు చెందిన ప్రజల మధ్య గందరగోళం బయలుదేరింది. వారు “మన శత్రువుల చేతిలో నుండి, ఫిలిష్తీయుల చేతిలో నుండి మనలను విడిపించిన రాజు అబ్షాలోముకు భయపడి దేశం వదలి పారిపోయాడు.

10 ഇപ്പോൾ നമ്മെ ഭരിക്കുന്നതിനായി നാം അഭിഷേകംചെയ്ത അബ്ശാലോം യുദ്ധത്തിൽ കൊല്ലപ്പെടുകയും ചെയ്തു. അതിനാൽ രാജാവിനെ തിരികെ വരുത്തുന്ന കാര്യത്തിൽ നിങ്ങൾ ഒന്നും മിണ്ടാതിരിക്കുന്നതെന്ത്?”

౧౦మనం రాజుగా పట్టాభిషేకం చేసికొన్న అబ్షాలోము యుద్ధంలో చనిపోయాడు. కనుక మనం రాజును తిరిగి ఎందుకు తీసుకు రాకూడదు?” అనుకున్నారు.

11 അതിനുശേഷം ദാവീദുരാജാവ് പുരോഹിതന്മാരായ സാദോക്കിനും അബ്യാഥാരിനും ഈ സന്ദേശം അയച്ചു: “നിങ്ങൾ യെഹൂദ്യയിലെ നേതാക്കന്മാരോടു ചോദിക്കുക: ‘സകല ഇസ്രായേലിലും സംസാരിക്കപ്പെടുന്ന വസ്തുത, രാജാവിന്റെ ആസ്ഥാനത്ത് എത്തിയിരിക്കുന്നു. എന്നിട്ടും രാജാവിനെ കൊട്ടാരത്തിലേക്കു തിരികെ വരുത്തുന്ന കാര്യത്തിൽ നിങ്ങൾ പിന്നിലാകുന്നതെന്തിന്?

౧౧రాజైన దావీదుకు ఈ సంగతి వినబడింది. యాజకులైన సాదోకు, అబ్యాతారుకులను పిలిపించి “ఇశ్రాయేలు వారంతా మాట్లాడుకొంటున్న విషయం రాజుకు తెలిసింది. రాజును నగరానికి మళ్ళీ తీసుకు వెళ్లేందుకు ఎందుకు ఆలస్యం చేస్తున్నారు?

12 നിങ്ങൾ എന്റെ സഹോദരന്മാർ! എന്റെ സ്വന്തമാംസവും രക്തവും! അതിനാൽ രാജാവിനെ തിരികെ വരുത്തുന്ന കാര്യത്തിൽ നിങ്ങളെന്തിനു പിന്നിലാകണം?’

౧౨మీరు నాకు రక్త సంబంధులు, సోదరులు. రాజును తీసుకు వచ్చేందుకు మీరెందుకు ఆలస్యం చేస్తున్నారని యూదావారి పెద్దలతో చెప్పండి” అని వారికి ఆజ్ఞాపించాడు.

13 അമാസയോട് ഇപ്രകാരം പറയുക: ‘നീ എന്റെ സ്വന്തമാംസവും രക്തവും അല്ലേ? ഇപ്പോൾമുതൽ നീ യോവാബിനു പകരം എന്റെ സൈന്യത്തിനു നായകനായിരിക്കുന്നില്ലെങ്കിൽ ദൈവം എന്നോടു പകരം ചെയ്യട്ടെ!’”

౧౩తరువాత అమాశా దగ్గరికి మనుషులను పంపి “నువ్వు నా రక్త సంబంధివి, సోదరుడివి కాదా? యోవాబుకు బదులు నిన్ను సైన్యాధిపతిగా ఖాయం చేయకపోతే దేవుడు నాకు గొప్ప కీడు కలుగజేస్తాడు గాక” అని చెప్పమన్నాడు.

14 യെഹൂദാഗോത്രത്തിലെ സകലരുടെയും ഹൃദയം ദാവീദ് ഒരുപോലെ കവർന്നു. “അങ്ങും അങ്ങയുടെ സകല അനുയായികളും മടങ്ങിവന്നാലും,” എന്ന് അവർ സന്ദേശമയച്ചു.

౧౪అతడు వెళ్లి యూదా వారిలో ప్రతి ఒక్కరూ ఇష్టపూర్వకంగా రాజుకు లోబడేలా చేశాడు. యూదావారు రాజు దగ్గరికి “నువ్వు, నీ సేవకులంతా తిరిగి రావాలి” అన్న కబురు పంపించారు. రాజు బయలుదేరి యొర్దాను నది దగ్గరికి వచ్చినప్పుడు

15 അപ്പോൾ രാജാവ് മടങ്ങി യോർദാന്റെ തീരംവരെ എത്തി. ദാവീദിനെ ചെന്നു കാണുന്നതിനും അദ്ദേഹത്തെ യോർദാൻ കടത്തിക്കൊണ്ടു വരുന്നതിനുമായി യെഹൂദ്യയിലെ ജനമെല്ലാം ഗിൽഗാലിൽ എത്തിയിരുന്നു.

౧౫యూదావారు రాజును ఎదుర్కొవడానికి, నది ఇవతలకు వెంటబెట్టుకు రావడానికి గిల్గాలుకు వచ్చారు.

16 ഗേരയുടെ മകൻ ശിമെയി എന്ന ബഹൂരീംകാരനായ ബെന്യാമീന്യനും ദാവീദ് രാജാവിനെ എതിരേൽക്കുന്നതിന് യെഹൂദാജനത്തോടൊപ്പം ബദ്ധപ്പെട്ടുചെന്നു.

౧౬అంతలో బహూరీములో ఉంటున్న బెన్యామీనీయుడైన గెరా కొడుకు షిమీ త్వరత్వరగా రాజైన దావీదును ఎదుర్కొనడానికి యూదావారితో కలసి వచ్చాడు.

17 അദ്ദേഹത്തോടൊപ്പം ശൗൽഗൃഹത്തിന്റെ കാര്യസ്ഥനായ സീബായും അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ പതിനഞ്ചു പുത്രന്മാരും ഇരുപതു ദാസന്മാരും ഉൾപ്പെടെ ആയിരം ബെന്യാമീന്യരും ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു. അവർ യോർദാൻനദീതീരത്തേക്ക് രാജസന്നിധിയിൽ ബദ്ധപ്പെട്ടു പാഞ്ഞെത്തി.

౧౭అతనితోపాటు వెయ్యిమంది బెన్యామీనీయులు ఉన్నారు. సౌలు కుటుంబం సేవకుడు సీబా, అతని పదిహేనుమంది కొడుకులు, ఇరవైమంది సేవకులు వచ్చారు.

18 രാജഗൃഹത്തെ ഇക്കരയ്ക്ക് ആനയിക്കാനും രാജഹിതം നിറവേറ്റുവാനുമായി അവർ യോർദാന്റെ കടവു കടന്നെത്തി. ഗേരയുടെ മകനായ ശിമെയി യോർദാൻ കടന്നെത്തിയപ്പോൾ അദ്ദേഹം രാജാവിന്റെ മുമ്പിൽ സാഷ്ടാംഗം വീണു.

౧౮వారంతా రాజు ఎదురుగా నది దాటారు. రాజు, అతని పరివారం నది దాటడానికి, రాజుకు అనుకూలంగా చేయడానికి పడవను ఇవతలకు తెచ్చి పెట్టారు. రాజు యొర్దాను నది దాటి వెళ్ళగానే గెరా కుమారుడు షిమీ వచ్చి అతనికి సాష్టాంగపడ్డాడు.

19 ശിമെയി രാജാവിനോടു പറഞ്ഞു: “എന്റെ യജമാനൻ അടിയനെ കുറ്റക്കാരനായി കണക്കാക്കരുതേ! എന്റെ യജമാനനായ രാജാവ് ജെറുശലേം വിട്ടുപോയ ദിവസം അടിയൻ ചെയ്ത തെറ്റ് അവിടന്ന് ഓർക്കരുതേ! അതു മനസ്സിൽനിന്ന് മായിച്ചുകളയണമേ!

౧౯“నా యజమానీ, నేను చేసినదాన్ని బట్టి నాపై నేరం మోపవద్దు. రాజువైన నువ్వు యెరూషలేము విడిచివెళ్తున్నప్పుడు నేను మూర్ఖత్వంతో చేసిన తప్పును జ్ఞాపకం పెట్టుకోవద్దు.

20 അവിടത്തെ ദാസനായ അടിയൻ പാപംചെയ്തു എന്നു ഞാൻ അറിയുന്നു. എന്നാൽ ഇന്നിതാ ഞാൻ വന്നിരിക്കുന്നു; യോസേഫിന്റെ ഗോത്രങ്ങളിലുംവെച്ച് മുമ്പനായി എന്റെ യജമാനനായ രാജാവിനെ എതിരേൽക്കാൻ അടിയൻ വന്നിരിക്കുന്നു.”

౨౦నేను పాపం చేశానని నాకు తెలుసు. కనుక రాజువైన నిన్ను కలుసుకోవడానికి యోసేపు వంశం వారందరికంటే ముందుగా వచ్చాను” అన్నాడు.

21 അപ്പോൾ സെരൂയയുടെ മകനായ അബീശായി പറഞ്ഞു: “ശിമെയി യഹോവയുടെ അഭിഷിക്തനെ ശപിച്ചവനാണ്. ഇക്കാരണത്താൽത്തന്നെ അവൻ വധിക്കപ്പെടേണ്ടതല്ലേ?”

౨౧అప్పుడు సెరూయా కుమారుడు అబీషై వచ్చి “యెహోవా అభిషేకించిన రాజును శపించిన ఈ షిమీకి మరణ శిక్ష విధించాలి” అన్నాడు.

22 അതിനു ദാവീദ്, “സെരൂയാപുത്രന്മാരേ! ഈ വിഷയത്തിൽ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് എന്തുകാര്യം? എന്ത് അധികാരംകൊണ്ടാണ് നിങ്ങൾ ഈ കാര്യത്തിൽ ഇടപെടുന്നത്? ഇന്ന് ഇസ്രായേലിൽ ആരെങ്കിലും വധിക്കപ്പെടണമോ? ഇന്നു ഞാൻ ഇസ്രായേലിനു മുഴുവനും രാജാവാണെന്ന് എനിക്കറിഞ്ഞുകൂടേ?” എന്നു പറഞ്ഞു.

౨౨దావీదు “సెరూయా కొడుకుల్లారా, మీకూ, నాకూ ఏమి సంబంధం? ఇలాంటి సమయంలో మీరు నాకు విరోధులవుతారా? ఈ రోజు ఇశ్రాయేలు వారిలో ఎవరికైనా మరణశిక్ష విధించడం సమంజసమా? ఇప్పుడు నేను ఇశ్రాయేలు వారిమీద రాజునయ్యానన్న సంగతి తెలుసుకున్నాను” అన్నాడు. తరువాత

23 രാജാവു ശിമെയിയോട്, “നീ മരിക്കുകയില്ല” എന്നു പറഞ്ഞു. രാജാവ് ആ കാര്യം ശപഥംചെയ്ത് ഉറപ്പാക്കുകയും ചെയ്തു.

౨౩“నీకు మరణశిక్ష విధించను” అని షిమీకి వాగ్దానం చేశాడు.

24 ശൗലിന്റെ പൗത്രനായ മെഫീബോശെത്തും രാജാവിനെ എതിരേൽക്കുന്നതിനു വന്നു. രാജാവ് വിട്ടുപോയ നാൾമുതൽ സുരക്ഷിതനായി തിരിച്ചെത്തിയ നാൾവരെയും അദ്ദേഹം തന്റെ പാദങ്ങൾക്കു പരിചരണം നൽകുകയോ താടി ഒതുക്കുകയോ വസ്ത്രം അലക്കുകയോ ചെയ്തിരുന്നില്ല.

౨౪సౌలు మనవడు మెఫీబోషెతు రాజును కలుసుకోవడానికి వచ్చాడు. రాజు పారిపోయిన రోజునుండి అతడు క్షేమంగా తిరిగి వచ్చేంత వరకూ అతడు కాళ్లు కడుక్కోలేదు, గడ్డం కత్తిరించుకోలేదు, బట్టలు కూడా ఉతుక్కోలేదు.

25 മെഫീബോശെത്ത് ജെറുശലേമിൽനിന്നും രാജാവിനെ എതിരേൽക്കാനായി വന്നെത്തിയപ്പോൾ രാജാവ് അദ്ദേഹത്തോട്: “മെഫീബോശെത്തേ! നീ എന്റെകൂടെ വരാതിരുന്നതെന്തുകൊണ്ട്?” എന്നു ചോദിച്ചു.

౨౫అతడు యెరూషలేములో రాజును కలిసినప్పుడు రాజు “మెఫీబోషెతూ, నీవు నాతో కలసి ఎందుకు రాలేదు?” అని అడిగాడు.

26 അയാൾ മറുപടി പറഞ്ഞു: “എന്റെ യജമാനനായ രാജാവേ! അങ്ങയുടെ ദാസനായ അടിയൻ ഒരു മുടന്തനാകുകയാൽ, ‘എന്റെ കഴുതയ്ക്കു കോപ്പിട്ടുതരണം, ഞാനതിന്മേൽക്കയറി രാജാവിന്റെ കൂടെപ്പോകും’ എന്നു ഞാൻ പറഞ്ഞു. എന്നാൽ എന്റെ ദാസനായ സീബാ എന്നെ ചതിച്ചു.

౨౬అప్పుడు అతడు “నా యజమానివైన రాజా, నీ దాసుడినైన నేను కుంటివాణ్ణి కనుక గాడిదను సిద్ధం చేసి రాజుతో కలసి వెళ్లిపోవాలని నేను అనుకున్నప్పుడు నా పనివాడు నన్ను మోసం చేశాడు.

27 അതുകൂടാതെ അയാൾ അടിയനെപ്പറ്റി എന്റെ യജമാനനായ രാജാവിനോട് അപവാദം പറയുകയും ചെയ്തു. എന്റെ യജമാനനായ രാജാവ് ഒരു ദൈവദൂതനെപ്പോലെയാകുന്നുവല്ലോ! അതിനാൽ അവിടത്തേക്ക് ഇഷ്ടമായത് അടിയനോടു ചെയ്താലും!

౨౭సీబా నా విషయంలో నీకు అబద్ధం చెప్పాడు. నువ్వు నా ఏలినవాడివి, రాజువు. నువ్వు దేవుని దూతవంటి వాడివి. నీకు ఏది మంచి అనిపిస్తే అది చెయ్యి.

28 എന്റെ യജമാനനായ രാജാവിങ്കൽനിന്നും എന്റെ വലിയപ്പന്റെ പിൻഗാമികളെല്ലാം മരണമല്ലാതെ മറ്റൊന്നും അർഹിച്ചിരുന്നില്ല. എന്നാൽ അങ്ങ്, അങ്ങയുടെ ദാസനായ അടിയന്, അങ്ങയുടെ മേശയിങ്കൽ ഭക്ഷണത്തിന് ഇരിക്കുന്നവരോടുകൂടെ സ്ഥാനം തന്നു. അങ്ങനെയിരിക്കെ രാജാവിന്റെ സമക്ഷത്തിൽ മറ്റെന്തെങ്കിലുംകൂടി അപേക്ഷിക്കാൻ അടിയന് എന്തവകാശം?”

౨౮నా తండ్రి కుటుంబం వారంతా నీ దృష్టిలో చచ్చినవారమై ఉన్నప్పుడు, నువ్వు నీ భోజనం బల్ల దగ్గర నీతో భోజనం చేయడానికి దయ చూపించావు. కాబట్టి రాజవైన నిన్ను వేడుకోవడానికి నాకు వేరే అవసరం ఏముంటుంది?” అన్నాడు.

29 അദ്ദേഹത്തോടു രാജാവു പറഞ്ഞു: “എന്തിനു കൂടുതൽ പറയുന്നു? നീയും സീബായുംകൂടി ഭൂസ്വത്തുകൾ വീതിച്ചെടുത്തുകൊള്ളാൻ ഞാനിതാ കൽപ്പിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു.”

౨౯అప్పుడు రాజు “నువ్వు ఆ విషయాలు ఎందుకు మాట్లాడుతున్నావు? నువ్వూ, సీబా భూమిని పంచుకొమ్మని నేను ఆజ్ఞ ఇచ్చాను గదా” అన్నాడు.

30 മെഫീബോശെത്ത് രാജാവിനോടു വീണ്ടും പറഞ്ഞു: “ഇന്ന് എന്റെ യജമാനനായ രാജാവ് സുരക്ഷിതനായി കൊട്ടാരത്തിൽ തിരിച്ചെത്തിയിരിക്കുകയാൽ സ്വത്തുക്കൾ എല്ലാം അയാൾ എടുത്തുകൊള്ളട്ടെ!”

౩౦అందుకు మెఫీబోషెతు “నా ఏలినవాడవైన నువ్వు నీ నగరానికి క్షేమంగా తిరిగి వచ్చావు గనుక అతడు అంతా తీసుకోవచ్చు” అన్నాడు.

31 രാജാവിനോടുകൂടി യോർദാൻ കടക്കുന്നതിനും അവിടെനിന്നും അദ്ദേഹത്തെ യാത്രയാക്കുന്നതിനുമായി രോഗെലീമിൽനിന്നും ഗിലെയാദ്യനായ ബർസില്ലായിയും വന്നുചേർന്നു.

౩౧గిలాదీయుడైన బర్జిల్లయి రోగెలీము నుండి యొర్దాను అవతల నుండి రాజును సాగనంపడానికి వచ్చాడు.

32 ഈ സമയം ബർസില്ലായി എൺപതു വയസ്സുള്ള വൃദ്ധനായിരുന്നു. രാജാവു മഹനയീമിൽ താമസിച്ചിരുന്നകാലത്ത് അദ്ദേഹത്തിനുവേണ്ട ഭക്ഷണസാമഗ്രികൾ അദ്ദേഹം എത്തിച്ചുകൊടുത്തിരുന്നു. അദ്ദേഹം വളരെ ധനികനുമായിരുന്നു.

౩౨ఇప్పుడు బర్జిల్లయి వయసు 80 ఏళ్ళు. వయసు పైబడి బాగా ముసలివాడైపోయాడు. అతడు అత్యంత ధనవంతుడు. రాజు మహనయీములో ఉన్నప్పుడు అతనికి ఆహార పదార్ధాలు పంపిస్తూ వచ్చాడు.

33 രാജാവു ബർസില്ലായിയോടു പറഞ്ഞു. “എന്നോടൊപ്പം ജെറുശലേമിൽ താമസിക്കുക. നിങ്ങൾക്കു വേണ്ടതെല്ലാം ഞാൻ തന്നു രക്ഷിക്കും.”

౩౩రాజు “నువ్వు నాతోకూడ నది దాటి వచ్చి యెరూషలేములో నాతో కలసి ఉండిపో. నేను నిన్ను పోషిస్తాను” అని బర్జిల్లయితో చెప్పాడు.

34 എന്നാൽ ബർസില്ലായി രാജാവിനോടു മറുപടി പറഞ്ഞത് ഇപ്രകാരമായിരുന്നു: “ഇനി ഞാൻ എത്രകാലം ജീവിച്ചിരിക്കും! ഞാനെന്തിന് രാജാവിനോടുകൂടി ജെറുശലേമിൽ പോരണം!

౩౪బర్జిల్లయి “రాజువైన నీతో కలసి యెరూషలేముకు వచ్చి ఉండడానికి ఇంకా నేనెంకాలం బతకగలను?

35 എനിക്കിപ്പോൾ എൺപതു വയസ്സായി, ആസ്വാദ്യവും അല്ലാത്തതുംതമ്മിൽ വിവേചിച്ചുപറയാൻ എനിക്കു കഴിയുമോ? ഭക്ഷണപാനീയങ്ങളുടെ സ്വാദു തിരിച്ചറിയാനും അടിയനു കഴിയുമോ? ഗായകന്മാരുടെയും ഗായികമാരുടെയും സ്വരം കേട്ടുരസിക്കാൻ എനിക്കു കഴിയുമോ? എന്റെ യജമാനനായ രാജാവിന് ദാസനായ അടിയൻ ഒരു ഭാരമായിരിക്കുന്നതെന്തിന്?

౩౫ఇప్పటికే నాకు 80 ఏళ్ళు నిండాయి. మంచి చెడ్డలకున్న తేడా నేను కనిపెట్టగలనా? భోజన పదార్ధాల రుచి నేను తెలుసుకో గలనా? గాయకుల, గాయకురాండ్ర పాటలు నాకు వినిపిస్తాయా? నీ దాసుడనైన నేను నీకు భారంగా ఎందుకు ఉండాలి?

36 അവിടത്തെ ഈ ദാസൻ യോർദാൻ കടന്ന് അൽപ്പദൂരം രാജാവിനോടുകൂടെപ്പോരാം. രാജാവ് അടിയന് ഈ വിധം പ്രതിഫലം തരുന്നതെന്തിന്?

౩౬రాజువైన నువ్వు నాపట్ల అంతటి మేలు చూపడానికి నేనెంతటివాణ్ణి? నీ దాసుడనైన నేను నీతో కలసి నది దాటి అవతలకు కొంచెం దూరం వస్తాను.

37 അങ്ങയുടെ ദാസൻ തിരികെപ്പോകട്ടെ! എന്റെ സ്വന്തം നഗരത്തിൽ എന്റെ മാതാപിതാക്കന്മാരുടെ കല്ലറയ്ക്കരികിൽ ഞാൻ മരിക്കട്ടെ! എന്നാൽ ഇതാ, അങ്ങയുടെ ദാസനായ കിംഹാം. എന്റെ യജമാനനായ രാജാവിനോടുകൂടി അയാൾ യോർദാൻ കടന്നുവരട്ടെ! അങ്ങയുടെ പ്രസാദംപോലെ അയാളോടു ചെയ്താലും!”

౩౭నేను నా ఊరిలోనే ఉండి, చనిపోయి నా తలిదండ్రుల సమాధిలో పాతిపెట్టబడడానికి అక్కడికి తిరిగి వెళ్ళడానికి నాకు అనుమతి ఇవ్వు. అయ్యా, విను. నీ దాసుడు కింహాము ఇక్కడ ఉన్నాడు. నా ఏలినవాడవు, రాజువు అయిన నీతో కలసి రావడానికి అనుమతి ఇవ్వు. నీకు ఏది మంచి అనిపిస్తే అది అతడిపట్ల చెయ్యి” అని మనవి చేశాడు.

38 രാജാവു കൽപ്പിച്ചു: “കിംഹാം എന്നോടുകൂടി യോർദാൻ കടന്നുവരട്ടെ! താങ്കളുടെ ഇഷ്ടംപോലെ ഞാൻ അവനുവേണ്ടി ചെയ്തുകൊടുക്കാം; താങ്കൾ എന്നിൽനിന്നും ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നതെന്തും ഞാൻ താങ്കൾക്കുവേണ്ടി ചെയ്തുതരാം.”

౩౮అప్పుడు రాజు “కింహాము నాతో కలసి రావచ్చు. నీ దృష్టికి అనుకూలమైన దాన్ని నేను అతనికి చేస్తాను. ఇంకా నా వల్ల నువ్వు ఏమి కోరుతావో అంతా చేస్తాను” అని చెప్పాడు.

39 അങ്ങനെ ജനമെല്ലാം യോർദാൻ കടന്നു; അതിനുശേഷം രാജാവും നദികടന്നു. രാജാവ് ബർസില്ലായിയെ ചുംബിച്ച് അനുഗ്രഹിച്ചു. ബർസില്ലായി തന്റെ ഭവനത്തിലേക്കു മടങ്ങിപ്പോയി.

౩౯అప్పుడు రాజు, ప్రజలందరూ నది అవతలకు వచ్చారు. రాజు బర్జిల్లయిని ముద్దు పెట్టుకుని దీవించాడు. తరువాత బర్జిల్లయి తన స్వస్థలానికి వెళ్ళిపోయాడు.

40 രാജാവു ഗിൽഗാലിലേക്കു പോയപ്പോൾ കിംഹാമും അദ്ദേഹത്തോടൊപ്പം പോയി. യെഹൂദാപട്ടാളം മുഴുവനും, ഇസ്രായേൽ പടയിൽ പകുതിയും രാജാവിന് അകമ്പടി സേവിച്ചിരുന്നു.

౪౦రాజు కింహామును వెంటబెట్టుకుని గిల్గాలుకు వచ్చాడు. యూదావారు, ఇశ్రాయేలువారిలో సగంమంది రాజును వెంటబెట్టుకుని వచ్చారు.

41 പെട്ടെന്നുതന്നെ ഇസ്രായേൽജനമെല്ലാം വന്ന് രാജാവിനോടു പറഞ്ഞു: “യെഹൂദ്യരായ ഞങ്ങളുടെ സഹോദരന്മാർ രാജാവിനെയും കുടുംബത്തെയും സകലപരിചാരകരോടുംകൂടി രഹസ്യമായി യോർദാൻ കടത്തിക്കൊണ്ടുവന്നതെന്തിന്?”

౪౧ఇలా ఉన్నప్పుడు ఇశ్రాయేలువారు రాజు దగ్గరికి వచ్చారు. “మా సహోదరులైన యూదావారు నిన్ను, నీ ఇంటివారిని దొంగిలించుకుని యొర్దాను ఇవతలకు ఎందుకు తీసుకు వచ్చారు?” అని అడిగారు.

42 യെഹൂദാജനമെല്ലാം ഇസ്രായേൽജനത്തോടു മറുപടി പറഞ്ഞു: “രാജാവു ഞങ്ങളുടെ അടുത്ത ബന്ധുക്കാരനായതുകൊണ്ട് ഞങ്ങളിതു ചെയ്തു. നിങ്ങൾ അതിനു ക്ഷോഭിക്കുന്നതെന്തിന്? രാജാവിനു കഴിക്കാനുള്ളതു വല്ലതും ഞങ്ങൾ തിന്നോ? ഞങ്ങൾ എന്തെങ്കിലും സ്വന്തമാക്കിയെടുത്തോ?”

౪౨అందుకు యూదా వారు “రాజు మీకు సమీపబంధువు గదా, మీకు కోపం ఎందుకు? అలాగైతే మాలో ఎవరమైనా రాజు ద్వారా లాభం పొందామా? లేక మాకోసం ఏమైనా దొంగతనం చేశామా?” అని ఇశ్రాయేలు వారితో అన్నారు.

43 അപ്പോൾ ഇസ്രായേൽജനം യെഹൂദ്യരോടു മറുപടി പറഞ്ഞു: “ഞങ്ങൾക്കു രാജാവിങ്കൽ പത്ത് ഓഹരിയുണ്ട്; അതുകൊണ്ട് ഞങ്ങൾക്കു ദാവീദിന്മേൽ നിങ്ങൾക്കുള്ളതിനെക്കാൾ കൂടുതൽ അവകാശവുമുണ്ട്. അങ്ങനെയിരിക്കെ നിങ്ങൾ ഞങ്ങളെ ഇത്ര അവഗണിക്കുന്നതെന്തിന്? ഞങ്ങളുടെ രാജാവിനെ തിരിച്ചുകൊണ്ടുവരുന്നകാര്യം ആദ്യം പറഞ്ഞതു ഞങ്ങളല്ലേ?” എന്നാൽ യെഹൂദാജനത്തിന്റെ വാക്കുകൾ ഇസ്രായേൽജനത്തിന്റേതിനെക്കാൾ പരുഷമായിരുന്നു.

౪౩ఇశ్రాయేలువారు “రాజులో మాకు పది వంతులు ఉన్నాయి. దావీదులో మీకంటే మాకే ఎక్కువ హక్కు ఉంది. మీరు మమ్మల్ని ఎందుకు నిర్లక్ష్యం చేస్తున్నారు? రాజును తీసుకువచ్చే విషయం గురించి మీతో ముందుగా మాట్లాడినది మేమే గదా” అని యూదావారితో అన్నారు. యూదావారు ఇశ్రాయేలువారి కంటే కఠినంగా మాట్లాడారు.