1 USamuyeli 14

1 Ngelinye ilanga uJonathani indodana kaSawuli wathi ejaheni elalithwala izikhali zakhe, “Woza, kasiye enkambeni yebutho lamaFilistiya ngakwelinye icele.” Kodwa kamtshelanga uyise.

One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But Jonathan did not tell his father.

2 USawuli wayehlala emaphethelweni eGibhiya ngaphansi kwesihlahla sephomegranathi eMigironi. Amadoda ayelaye ayengaba ngamakhulu ayisithupha,

Meanwhile, Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. And the troops who were with him numbered about six hundred men,

3 phakathi kwawo kulo-Ahija, owayegqoke isigqoko samahlombe. Wayeyindodana yomfowabo ka-Ikhabhodi u-Ahithubi indodana kaFinehasi, indodana ka-Eli umphristi kaThixo eShilo. Kakho owayesazi ukuthi uJonathani wayehambile.

including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.

4 Eceleni ngalinye lomkhandlu ayehlose ukuwuchapha ukuze ayefika enkambeni yebutho lamaFilistiya kwakuleliwa; elinye lalithiwa yiBhozezi elinye liyiSene.

Now there were cliffs on both sides of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh.

5 Elinye iliwa lalingasenyakatho ngokuya eMikhimashi, elinye lingasezansi ngokuya eGebha.

One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba.

6 UJonathani wathi ejaheni elalithwala izikhali zakhe, “Woza, siwelele enkambeni yalabayana abantu abangasokanga. Engxenye uThixo uzasimela, ngoba akulalutho olungavimbela uThixo ekukhululeni, loba kungabanengi kumbe abalutshwana.”

Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”

7 Umthwali wezikhali zakhe wathi, “Yenza konke olakho engqondweni yakho. Qhubeka, mina ngilawe ngenhliziyo langomphefumulo.”

His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

8 UJonathani wasesithi, “Ngakho-ke, woza sikhuphuke siqonde kulabaya abantu senze ukuba basibone.

“Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them.

9 Bangathi kithi, ‘Manini khonapho size sifike kini,’ sizahlala lapho esikhona singayi kubo.

If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and will not go up to them.

10 Kodwa bangathi, ‘Wozani kithi,’ sizakhwela siye phezulu ngoba lokho kuzakuba yisibonakaliso sethu sokuthi uThixo usebanikele ezandleni zethu.”

But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we will go up, because this will be our sign that the LORD has delivered them into our hands.”

11 Ngakho bobabili bazibonakalisa enkambeni yamabutho amaFilistiya. AmaFilistiya athi, “Khangelani, amaHebheru asehohoba ephuma emilindini abecatshe kuyo.”

So the two of them showed themselves to the outpost of the Philistines, who exclaimed, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they were hiding!”

12 Amadoda ayesenkambeni yamabutho amemeza uJonathani lomthwali wezikhali zakhe athi, “Wozani kithi sizalifundisa isifundo.” Ngakho uJonathani wathi kumthwali wezikhali zakhe, “Khwela ungilandele; uThixo usebanikele esandleni sika-Israyeli.”

So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!” “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”

13 UJonathani wakhwela, esebenzisa izandla lezinyawo zakhe, lomthwali wezikhali zakhe ekhonapho ngemva kwakhe. AmaFilistiya awa phambi kukaJonathani, njalo umthwali wezikhali zakhe walandela ebulala abantu ngemva kwakhe.

So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off.

14 Ngalokho kuhlasela kokuqala uJonathani lomthwali wezikhali zakhe babulala abantu abangamatshumi amabili endaweni eyayingaba yingxenye yendima.

In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men over half an acre of land.

15 Emva kwalokho ibutho lonke lathuthumela, ababesezihonqweni lababesegangeni, lalabo ababesezinkambeni zamabutho lamaqembu abahlaseli, iphansi lanyikinyeka. Kwakuyikuthuthumela okwakulethwe nguNkulunkulu.

Then terror struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked and panic spread from God.

16 Abalindi bakaSawuli eGibhiya koBhenjamini babona ibutho lisabalele ezinhlangothini zonke.

Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction,

17 USawuli wasesithi ebantwini ababelaye, “Qoqani amabutho libone ukuthi ngubani ongekho.” Sebekwenzile, ababengekho kwakunguJonathani lomthwali wezikhali zakhe.

Saul said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us.” And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.

18 USawuli wasesithi ku-Ahija, “Letha ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu.” (Ngalesisikhathi lalikwabako-Israyeli.)

Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)

19 Kwathi uSawuli esakhuluma lomphristi, ukuxokozela ezihonqweni zamaFilistiya kwakhula kakhulu kakhulukazi. Ngakho uSawuli wathi kumphristi, “Susa isandla sakho.”

While Saul was talking to the priest, the commotion in the Philistine camp continued to increase. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

20 Emva kwalokho uSawuli labantu bakhe bonke babuthana basebesiya empini. Bafica amaFilistiya ephakathi kwesiyaluyalu esipheleleyo, egalelana ngezinkemba zawo.

Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.

21 AmaHebheru ayelamaFilistiya kuqala ehambe lawo ezihonqweni zawo abuyela kwabako-Israyeli ababeloSawuli loJonathani.

And the Hebrews who had previously gone up into the surrounding camps of the Philistines now went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

22 Kwathi lapho bonke abako-Israyeli ababecatshe elizweni lezintaba elako-Efrayimi sebezwile ukuthi amaFilistiya ayesebaleka empini bangena, baxotshana lawo.

When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined Saul and Jonathan in the battle.

23 Uthixo wamhlenga kanjalo u-Israyeli ngalolosuku, njalo ukulwa kwaya ngale kweBhethi-Aveni.

So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven.

24 Ngalolosuku abantu bako-Israyeli babedanile ngoba uSawuli wayebophe abantu ngesifungo esithi, “Uqalekisiwe lowomuntu odla ukudla kungakahlwi, ngingakaphindiseli ezitheni zami!” Ngakho akukho butho elanambitha ukudla.

Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food.

25 Ibutho lonke langena ehlathini, lapho okwakuloluju phansi khona.

Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.

26 Ekungeneni kwabo ehlathini, babona uluju lujuluka, kodwa kakho owaludlayo, ngoba babesesaba isifungo.

And when they entered the forest and saw the flowing honey, not one of them put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath.

27 Kodwa uJonathani wayengezwanga ukuthi uyise wayebophe abantu ngesifungo, welula isiduku somqwayi ayewuphethe wawuhloma ohlangeni loluju. Waphakamisela isandla sakhe emlonyeni wakhe, amehlo akhazimula.

Jonathan, however, had not heard that his father had charged the people with the oath. So he reached out the end of the staff in his hand, dipped it into the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes brightened.

28 Lapho-ke omunye wamabutho wamtshela wathi, “Uyihlo ubophe ibutho ngesifungo esinzima, esithi, ‘Uqalekisiwe lowomuntu odla ukudla lamhla!’ Yikho-nje abantu bemdambiyana.”

Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the troops with a solemn oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food today.’ That is why the people are faint.”

29 UJonathani wathi, “Ubaba usedalele ilizwe uhlupho. Khangela ukuthi amehlo ami athe dlwe ekunambitheni kwami okuncane koluju lolu.

“My father has brought trouble to the land,” Jonathan replied. “Just look at how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.

30 Kade kuzakuba ngcono kakhulu aluba lamhla abantu bebedlile enye yempango abayithethe ezitheni zabo. Ukubulawa kwamaFilistiya kade kungayikuba kukhulu kulalokhu na?”

How much better it would have been if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been much greater?”

31 Ngalolosuku, emva kokuba ama-Israyeli esebulele amaFilistiya kusukela eMikhimashi kusiyafika e-Ayijaloni, ayesediniwe.

That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the people were very faint.

32 Baphuthuma impango, kwathi sebethethe izimvu lenkomo kanye lamathole, bazibulala khonapho bazidla kanye legazi.

So they rushed greedily to the plunder, taking sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them on the ground and ate meat with the blood still in it.

33 Omunye wasesithi kuSawuli, “Khangela abantu benza isono kuThixo ngokudla inyama elegazi.” Yena wathi, “Selephule ukuthenjwa. Giqelani ilitshe elikhulu ngapha khathesi nje.”

Then someone reported to Saul: “Look, the troops are sinning against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.” “You have broken faith,” said Saul. “Roll a large stone over here at once.”

34 Wasesithi, “Yanini phakathi kwabantu libatshele lithi, ‘Lowo lalowo wenu kangilethele inkomo lezimvu zakhe azibulalele lapha azidle. Lingenzi isono kuThixo ngokudla inyama eseselegazi.’” Ngakho ngalobobusuku umuntu wonke waletha inkabi yakhe wayihlabela khonapho.

Then he said, “Go among the troops and tell them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep, slaughter them in this place, and then eat. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.’” So that night everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there.

35 USawuli wasesakhela uThixo i-alithari; wayeqala ukwenza lokhu.

Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.

36 USawuli wathi, “Kasehleni silandele amaFilistiya ebusuku siwahlasele kuze kuse, singatshiyi lalinye lawo liphila.” Bathi, “Yenza lokho okubona kulungile kuwe.” Kodwa umphristi wathi, “Kasibuzeni uNkulunkulu lapha.”

And Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until dawn, leaving no man alive!” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied. But the priest said, “We must consult God here.”

37 USawuli wabuza uNkulunkulu wathi, “Ngehle ngilandele amaFilistiya na? Uzawanikela esandleni sika-Israyeli na?” Kodwa uNkulunkulu kamphendulanga ngalolosuku.

So Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But God did not answer him that day.

38 Ngakho uSawuli wathi, “Wozani lapha, lonke lina bakhokheli bebutho, sidinge ukuthi yisono bani esenziwe lamhla.

Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.

39 Ngeqiniso elinjengoba uThixo ohlenga u-Israyeli ephila, lanxa sisendodaneni yami uJonathani, kumele ife.” Kodwa akukho lamunye wabantu owatsho ilizwi.

As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.

40 USawuli wasesithi kubo bonke abako-Israyeli, “Manini laphayana; mina lendodana yami uJonathani sizakuma ngapha.” Abantu baphendula bathi, “Yenza lokho okukhanya kulungile kuwe.”

Then Saul said to all Israel, “You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other side.” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied.

41 Emva kwalokho uSawuli wakhuleka kuThixo, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli wathi, “Kungani ungayiphendulanga inceku lamuhla? Nxa isono sikimi kumbe kuJonathani indodana yami, inkatho kayibe yi-Urimi; kodwa nxa isono sisebantwini bako-Israyeli, inkatho kayibe yiThumimi.” UJonathani loSawuli badliwa yinkatho, abantu bagezeka.

So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim; but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge.

42 USawuli wasesithi, “Phosani inkatho phakathi kwami loJonathani indodana yami.” UJonathani wabanjwa.

Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected.

43 USawuli wasesithi kuJonathani, “Ngitshela lokho okwenzileyo.” Ngakho uJonathani wamtshela wathi, “Nginambithe uluju nje kuphela ngesihloko somqwayi wami. Khathesi-ke sokumele ngife!”

“Tell me what you have done,” Saul commanded him. So Jonathan told him, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. And now I must die?”

44 USawuli wathi, “UNkulunkulu kangijezise, kube nzima kakhulu, nxa ungafi, Jonathani.”

And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!”

45 Kodwa abantu bathi kuSawuli, “UJonathani kumele afe yini, yena olethe lokhukuhlengwa okukhulu ko-Israyeli na? Hatshi bo! Ngeqiniso elinjengoba uThixo ekhona, akulanwele lwekhanda lakhe oluzawela phansi, ngoba lokhu ukwenze lamhla ngosizo lukaNkulunkulu.” Ngakho abantu bamhlenga uJonathani, kasabulawanga.

But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

46 USawuli wayekela ukuxotshana lamaFilistiya, njalo amaFilistiya abuyela elizweni lakibo.

Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land.

47 Kwathi uSawuli esebusa ko-Israyeli, walwa lezitha zabo inxa zonke: iMowabi, ama-Amoni, i-Edomi, amakhosi aseZobha kanye lamaFilistiya. Loba kungaphi lapho aya khona, wababhuqa.

After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.

48 Walwa ngesibindi wehlula ama-Amaleki, wakhulula u-Israyeli ezandleni zalabo ababebaphangile.

He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.

49 Amadodana kaSawuli ayenguJonathani, lo-Ishivi kanye loMalikhi-Shuwa. Ibizo lendodakazi yakhe endala lalinguMerabi, elomcinyane linguMikhali.

Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter).

50 Ibizo lomkakhe lalingu-Ahinowama indodakazi ka-Ahimazi. Umlawuli webutho likaSawuli wayengu-Abhineri indodana kaNeri, uNeri wayengumfowabo kayise kaSawuli.

His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner.

51 UKhishi uyise kaSawuli, loNeri uyise ka-Abhineri babengamadodana ka-Abhiyeli.

Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.

52 Kuzozonke insuku zikaSawuli kwakulempi enzima lamaFilistiya, njalo loba kungaphi uSawuli abona khona indoda elamandla kumbe elesibindi, wayingenisa ebuthweni lakhe.

And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him.