1 Amakhosi 1
1 Kwathi inkosi uDavida esemdala kakhulu, wayengasafudumali lanxa elele loba bemembathise kakhulu.
Now King David was old and well along in years, and though they covered him with blankets, he could not keep warm.
2 Izinceku zakhe zathi kuye, “Kasidinge intombazana yokunakekela inkosi iyifudumeze. Izalala eceleni kwayo ukuze inkosi yethu ifudumale.”
So his servants said to him, “Let us search for a young virgin for our lord the king, to attend to him and care for him and lie by his side to keep him warm.”
3 Ngakho balibhudula lonke elako-Israyeli bedinga intombi enhle baze bafumana u-Abhishagi, umShunami walethwa enkosini.
Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl, and they found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king.
4 Intombazana leyo yayinhle kakhulu; yayinakekela inkosi yayilondoloza, kodwa inkosi kayiyenzanga umfazi.
The girl was unsurpassed in beauty; she cared for the king and served him, but he had no relations with her.
5 Kwathi u-Adonija, unina owayenguHagithi, waziveza wathi, “Yimi engizakuba yinkosi.” Waselungisa izinqola lamabhiza kanye lamadoda angamatshumi amahlanu ukumandulela.
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him.
6 (Uyise kazange amkhuze ngokumbuza ukuthi, “Ukwenzeleni konke lokhu?” Laye wayemuhle kakhulu, eselama u-Abhisalomu.)
(His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.)
7 U-Adonija wacebisana loJowabi indodana kaZeruya lo-Abhiyathari umphristi, laba bamsekela.
So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him.
8 Kodwa uZadokhi umphristi, loBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada, loNathani umphrofethi, loShimeyi, loReyi kanye labalindi benkosi abamsekelanga u-Adonija.
But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and David’s mighty men would not join Adonijah.
9 U-Adonija wasesenza umhlatshelo ngezimvu, ngenkomo langamathole anonileyo eLitsheni laseZohelethi eduze le-Eni Rogeli. Wanxusa abafowabo, lamadodana enkosi lawo wonke amadoda akoJuda ayengawesikhosini,
And Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah who were servants of the king.
10 kodwa kamnxusanga uNathani umphrofethi loba uBhenaya loba abalindi benkosi loba umfowabo uSolomoni.
But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon.
11 Ngakho uNathani wabuza uBhathishebha, unina kaSolomoni wathi, “Awukezwa yini ukuthi u-Adonija, indodana kaHagithi, useyinkosi, ezibeka inkosi yethu uDavida ingakakwazi lokho?
Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it?
12 Khathesi-ke lalela ngikweluleke, ukuze uzisindise wena lokuvikela impilo yendodana yakho uSolomoni.
Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.
13 Ngena lapha okulenkosi uDavida khona ufike uthi kuyo, ‘Wena omkhulu nkosi yami, awufunganga na phambi kwami mina sichaka sakho ukuthi: “Ngoqotho sibili indodana yakho uSolomoni uzakuba yinkosi ngemva kwakho, uzahlala esihlalweni sami”? Kungani pho u-Adonija esebe yinkosi?’
Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’
14 Uzakuthi usuphakathi ukhuluma layo inkosi, lami ngizangena ngifike ngigcwalisele lokho ozabe ukutshilo.”
Then, while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”
15 Ngalokho-ke uBhathishebha wayayibona inkosi eyayivele isiluphele isendlini yayo, lapho u-Abhishagi ongumShunami ayelondoloza khona inkosi.
So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him.
16 UBhathishebha wakhothama wazehlisa waguqa phambi kwenkosi. Inkosi yambuza yathi: “Kuyini okufunayo?”
And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?”
17 Wathi kuyo, “nkosi yami, wena uqobo lwakho wafunga kimi inceku yakho ngoThixo uNkulunkulu wakho wathi: ‘USolomoni indodana yakho uzakuba yinkosi ngemva kwami, njalo uzahlala esihlalweni sami sobukhosi.’
“My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’
18 Kodwa khathesi u-Adonija usebe yinkosi, kodwa wena mbusi, nkosi yami awukwazi okwenzakalayo.
But now, behold, Adonijah has become king, and you, my lord the king, did not know it.
19 Usenikele ngenkomo ezinengi, amaguqa anonisiweyo, kanye lezimvu, njalo usenxuse wonke amadodana enkosi, u-Abhiyathari umphristi kanye loJowabi umlawuli webutho, kodwa kamnxusanga uSolomoni inceku yakho.
And he has sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the other sons of the king, as well as Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of the army. But he did not invite your servant Solomon.
20 Mbusi wami, nkosi, abako-Israyeli bonke bakukhangele, badinga ukwazi ukuthi ngubani ozahlala esihlalweni sakho sobukhosi ngemva kwakho.
And as for you, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are upon you to tell them who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.
21 Kungenzeka phela ukuthi inkosi yami ingavele iyephumula kubokhokho, mina lendodana yami uSolomoni sizaphathwa njengezigangi.”
Otherwise, when my lord the king rests with his fathers, I and my son Solomon will be counted as criminals.”
22 Kwathi elokhu esakhuluma lenkosi, kwafika uNathani umphrofethi.
And just then, while Bathsheba was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.
23 Bayibikela inkosi bathi, “UNathani umphrofethi ulapha.” Waya phambi kwenkosi wakhothama embele ubuso bakhe phansi.
So the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.” And Nathan went in and bowed facedown before the king.
24 UNathani wabuza wathi, “Kambe, nkosi yami, nguwe na othe u-Adonija uzamele athathe ubukhosi bakho ungasekho wena, utshilo na ukuthi uzahlala esihlalweni sakho sobukhosi?
“My lord the king,” said Nathan, “did you say, ‘Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne’?
25 Lamuhla lokhu wehlile wayakwenza umhlatshelo wenkomo ezinengi, amaguqa anonisiweyo, lezimvu. Unxuse wonke amadodana enkosi, abalawuli bamabutho enkosi kanye lo-Abhiyathari umphristi. Khona khathesi nje bayadla benatha kanye laye besitsho besithi, ‘Mpilonde nkosi Adonija!’
For today he has gone down and sacrificed an abundance of oxen, fattened calves, and sheep, and has invited all the sons of the king, the commanders of the army, and Abiathar the priest. And behold, they are eating and drinking before him, saying, ‘Long live King Adonijah!’
26 Kodwa mina inceku yakho, loZadokhi umphristi, loBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada, kanye lenceku yakho uSolomoni kasinxusanga.
But me your servant he did not invite, nor Zadok the priest, nor Benaiah son of Jehoiada, nor your servant Solomon.
27 Kambe kungaba yikuthi lokhu inkosi yami ikwenze ingatshelanga izinceku zayo ukuthi ngubani ozahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi benkosi yami ngemva kokuba inkosi ingasekho?”
Has my lord the king let this happen without informing your servant who should sit on the throne after my lord the king?”
28 Ngalokho iNkosi uDavida yathi, “Mbize, angene uBhathishebha.” Ngakho weza enkosini wema phambi kwayo.
Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba for me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.
29 Inkosi yasifunga yathi: “Ngeqiniso lokuthi uThixo wami ngophilayo, lowo owangikhipha ezinhluphekweni zami zonke,
And the king swore an oath, saying, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress,
30 ngempela khona lamuhla lokhu ngizagcwalisa lokho engakufunga ngoThixo, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli: uSolomoni indodana yakho uzakuba yinkosi ngemva kwami, njalo uzahlala esihlalweni sami esikhundleni sami.”
I will carry out this very day exactly what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”
31 Ngalokho uBhathishebha wakhothamisa ikhanda ekhangele phansi, kwathi eseguqe phambi kwenkosi, wathi. “Umbusi wami inkosi uDavida kaphile kuze kube nini lanini!”
Bathsheba bowed facedown in homage to the king and said, “May my lord King David live forever!”
32 INkosi uDavida yathi, “Ngibizela uZadokhi umphristi, uNathani umphrofethi kanye loBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada.” Bathe sebephambi kwenkosi,
Then King David said, “Call in for me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada.” So they came before the king.
33 yathi kubo: “Thathani izinceku zenkosi yenu lihambe lazo liyekhweza uSolomoni indodana yami phezu kwembongolo yami lehle laye liye eGihoni.
“Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon.
34 Khonale uZadokhi umphristi loNathani umphrofethi kuzamele bamgcobe ubukhosi phezu kuka-Israyeli wonke. Livuthele icilongo limemeze lithi, ‘Kayiphile okulaphakade iNkosi uSolomoni!’
There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’
35 Lizakhwela laye, abuye azohlala esihlalweni sami sobukhosi aze abuse esikhundleni sami. Sengimkhethile ukuthi abuse phezu kuka-Israyeli lakoJuda.”
Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. For I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.”
36 UBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada waphendula inkosi wathi, “Akube njalo! Kungathi uThixo, uNkulunkulu wombusi lenkosi yami, angakumisa kube njalo.
“Amen,” replied Benaiah son of Jehoiada. “May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, so declare it.
37 Njengoba uThixo elondoloze umbusi wami oyinkosi, akube njalo lakuSolomoni ukuze enze ubukhosi bakhe bube ngaphezu kwalobo obenkosi yami iNkosi uDavida!”
Just as the LORD was with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon and make his throne even greater than that of my lord King David.”
38 Ngakho uZadokhi umphristi, loNathani umphrofethi, loBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada lamaKherethi lamaPhelethi behla bafika bakhweza uSolomoni embongolweni yeNkosi uDavida bamqhuba bamusa eGihoni.
Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon.
39 UZadokhi umphristi wathatha uphondo lwamafutha ethenteni elingcwele wagcoba uSolomoni. Ngakho bahle bavuthela icilongo, abantu bonke bahlaba umkhosi behaya besithi, “Mpilonde Nkosi Solomoni!”
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!”
40 Bonke bamlandela, bavuthela imihubhe bejabula kakhulu, kwaze kwanyikinyeka umhlaba.
All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth was split by the sound.
41 U-Adonija kanye lezethekeli ezazilaye zawuzwa lumkhosi njengoba bona basebeqedisa ukudla. UJowabi wathi esizwa icilongo wabuza wathi, “Utshoni umsindo wonke lo edolobheni?”
Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab.
42 Kwathi elokhu esakhuluma kwafika uJonathani indodana ka-Abhiyathari umphristi. U-Adonija wathi, “Ngena phakathi. Indoda eqakathekileyo njengawe kufanele ukuthi isiphathele izindaba ezimnandi.”
As he was speaking, suddenly Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” said Adonijah, “for you are a man of valor. You must be bringing good news.”
43 UJonathani waphendula wathi, “Akulalutho. Inkosi uDavida uMbusi wethu usegcobe uSolomoni ubukhosi.
“Not at all,” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has made Solomon king.
44 Inkosi isimthumele kanye loZadokhi umphristi, loNathani umphrofethi, loBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada, lamaKherethi lamaPhelethi, njalo sebehle bamkhweza embongolweni yenkosi.
And with Solomon, the king has sent Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, and they have set him on the king’s mule.
45 Njalo uZadokhi umphristi loNathani umphrofethi sebehle bamgcobela ubukhosi eGihoni. Besuka lapho bahle bahaya bembuka, kanti ledolobho lonke lihlokoma ngenjabulo. Yiwo lo umkhosi eliwuzwayo.
Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and they have gone up from there with rejoicing that rings out in the city. That is the noise you hear.
46 Kunjalo-nje uSolomoni usehle wahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi.
Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne.
47 Phezu kwalokho izikhulu zesikhosini sezifikile ukuthi zizokwenzela iNkosi uDavida amhlophe zisithi, ‘Sengathi uNkulunkulu wakho angenza ibizo likaSolomoni lidume kulelakho kuthi lesihlalo sakhe sobukhosi sibe lodumo ukwedlula esakho!’ Ngalokho inkosi yakhothama yakhonza isembhedeni wayo
The king’s servants have also gone to congratulate our lord King David, saying, ‘May your God make the name of Solomon more famous than your own name, and may He make his throne greater than your throne.’ And the king has bowed in worship on his bed,
48 yathi, ‘Udumo alube kuye uThixo, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, yena ovumele ukuthi ngizibonele ngawami amehlo lowo ozathatha isihlalo sami sobukhosi lamuhla.’”
saying, ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel! Today He has provided one to sit on my throne, and my eyes have seen it.’”
49 Ngenxa yalokhu, izethekeli zika-Adonija zathi lothu zaphakama ngokwethuka zachitheka.
At this, all the guests of Adonijah arose in terror and scattered.
50 Kodwa u-Adonija, ngokwesaba uSolomoni, wahamba wayabamba impondo ze-alithare.
But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar.
51 USolomoni wasetshelwa ukuthi, “U-Adonija uyayesaba iNkosi uSolomoni ngakho usegagadlele impondo ze-alithare. Uthi yena, ‘INkosi uSolomoni kayifunge kimi lamuhla ithi kayiyikubulala isichaka sayo ngenkemba.’”
It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’”
52 USolomoni waphendula wathi, “Nxa angatshengisela ukuthi uyindoda uqobo lwayo akulanwele lolulodwa lwekhanda lakhe oluzawela emhlabathini; kodwa nxa ebanjwe yikona, uzakufa.”
And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.”
53 Ngakho iNkosi uSolomoni yathumela amadoda, ayamethula e-alithareni abuya laye. Ngalokho u-Adonija weza wafika wazehlisa wakhothama enkosini uSolomoni, yena uSolomoni wathi. “Hamba, yana emzini wakho.”
So King Solomon summoned Adonijah down from the altar, and he came and bowed down before King Solomon, who said to him, “Go to your home.”
