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 his young armor bearer, “Come, let us go over to the Philistines' garrison on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.
2 USawuli wayehlala emaphethelweni eGibhiya ngaphansi kwesihlahla sephomegranathi eMigironi. Amadoda ayelaye ayengaba ngamakhulu ayisithupha,
Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that is in Migron. About six hundred men were with him,
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 son of Ahitub (Ichabod's brother) son of Phinehas son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh at Shiloh, who wore an ephod. The people did not know that Jonathan was gone.
4 Eceleni ngalinye lomkhandlu ayehlose ukuwuchapha ukuze ayefika enkambeni yebutho lamaFilistiya kwakuleliwa; elinye lalithiwa yiBhozezi elinye liyiSene.
On each side of the pass through which Jonathan wanted to go in order to get to the Philistines' garrison, there was a rocky cliff on one side and another rocky cliff on the other side. One rocky cliff was called Bozez and the other rocky cliff was called Seneh.
5 Elinye iliwa lalingasenyakatho ngokuya eMikhimashi, elinye lingasezansi ngokuya eGebha.
One rocky cliff stood on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of 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 his young armor bearer, “Come, let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised fellows. It may be that Yahweh will work on our behalf, for nothing can stop Yahweh from saving by many or by few people.”
7 Umthwali wezikhali zakhe wathi, “Yenza konke olakho engqondweni yakho. Qhubeka, mina ngilawe ngenhliziyo langomphefumulo.”
His armor bearer replied, “Do everything that is in your heart. Go ahead, see, I am with you, to obey all your commands.”
8 UJonathani wasesithi, “Ngakho-ke, woza sikhuphuke siqonde kulabaya abantu senze ukuba basibone.
Then Jonathan said, “We will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them.
9 Bangathi kithi, ‘Manini khonapho size sifike kini,’ sizahlala lapho esikhona singayi kubo.
If they say to us, 'Wait there until we come over to you'—then we will stay in our place and will not cross over to them.
10 Kodwa bangathi, ‘Wozani kithi,’ sizakhwela siye phezulu ngoba lokho kuzakuba yisibonakaliso sethu sokuthi uThixo usebanikele ezandleni zethu.”
But if they reply, 'Come over to us,' then we will cross over; because Yahweh has given them into our hand. This will be the sign to us.”
11 Ngakho bobabili bazibonakalisa enkambeni yamabutho amaFilistiya. AmaFilistiya athi, “Khangelani, amaHebheru asehohoba ephuma emilindini abecatshe kuyo.”
So both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. The Philistines said, “Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.”
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.”
Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, “Come up to us, and we will show you something.” Jonathan said to his armor bearer, “Follow after me, because Yahweh has given 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.
Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor bearer followed behind him. The Philistines were put to death before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death behind him.
14 Ngalokho kuhlasela kokuqala uJonathani lomthwali wezikhali zakhe babulala abantu abangamatshumi amabili endaweni eyayingaba yingxenye yendima.
That first attack that Jonathan and his armor bearer made, killed about twenty men within an area of half an acre.
15 Emva kwalokho ibutho lonke lathuthumela, ababesezihonqweni lababesegangeni, lalabo ababesezinkambeni zamabutho lamaqembu abahlaseli, iphansi lanyikinyeka. Kwakuyikuthuthumela okwakulethwe nguNkulunkulu.
There was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among the people. Even the garrison and the raiders panicked. The earth quaked, and there was a great panic.
16 Abalindi bakaSawuli eGibhiya koBhenjamini babona ibutho lisabalele ezinhlangothini zonke.
Then Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; the crowd of Philistine soldiers was dispersing, and they were going here and there.
17 USawuli wasesithi ebantwini ababelaye, “Qoqani amabutho libone ukuthi ngubani ongekho.” Sebekwenzile, ababengekho kwakunguJonathani lomthwali wezikhali zakhe.
Then Saul said to the people that were with him, “Count and see who is missing from us.” When they had counted, Jonathan and his armor bearer were missing.
18 USawuli wasesithi ku-Ahija, “Letha ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu.” (Ngalesisikhathi lalikwabako-Israyeli.)
Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here,” for at that time it was with the people of Israel.
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 camp of the Philistines was continuing and increasing. Then 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.
Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into battle. Every Philistine's sword was against his fellow countrymen, and there was very great confusion.
21 AmaHebheru ayelamaFilistiya kuqala ehambe lawo ezihonqweni zawo abuyela kwabako-Israyeli ababeloSawuli loJonathani.
Now those Hebrews who previously had been with the Philistines, and who had gone with them into the camp, even they joined with the Israelites that 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 men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hills near Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, even they chased after them in battle.
23 Uthixo wamhlenga kanjalo u-Israyeli ngalolosuku, njalo ukulwa kwaya ngale kweBhethi-Aveni.
So Yahweh saved Israel that day, and the battle passed 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.
That day the men of Israel were distressed because Saul had put the people under an oath and said, “Cursed be the man that eats any food until evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted food.
25 Ibutho lonke langena ehlathini, lapho okwakuloluju phansi khona.
Then all the people entered the forest and there was honey upon the ground.
26 Ekungeneni kwabo ehlathini, babona uluju lujuluka, kodwa kakho owaludlayo, ngoba babesesaba isifungo.
When the people entered into the forest, the honey flowed, but no one put his hand to his mouth for the people 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.
But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with an oath. He reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb. He raised 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 people, answered, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, by saying, 'Cursed be the man that eats food on this day,' even though the people are weak from hunger.”
29 UJonathani wathi, “Ubaba usedalele ilizwe uhlupho. Khangela ukuthi amehlo ami athe dlwe ekunambitheni kwami okuncane koluju lolu.
Then Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble for the land. See how my eyes have become 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 if the people had eaten freely today of the plunder from their enemies that they found? Because now the slaughter has not been great among the Philistines.”
31 Ngalolosuku, emva kokuba ama-Israyeli esebulele amaFilistiya kusukela eMikhimashi kusiyafika e-Ayijaloni, ayesediniwe.
They attacked the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very weary.
32 Baphuthuma impango, kwathi sebethethe izimvu lenkomo kanye lamathole, bazibulala khonapho bazidla kanye legazi.
The people rushed greedily on the plunder and took sheep, oxen and calves, and killed them on the ground. The people ate them with the blood.
33 Omunye wasesithi kuSawuli, “Khangela abantu benza isono kuThixo ngokudla inyama elegazi.” Yena wathi, “Selephule ukuthenjwa. Giqelani ilitshe elikhulu ngapha khathesi nje.”
Then they told Saul, “Look, the people are sinning against Yahweh by eating with the blood.” Saul said, “You have acted unfaithfully. Now, roll a big stone here to me.”
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.
Saul said, “Go out among the people, and tell them, 'Let every man bring his ox and his sheep, kill them here, and eat. Do not sin against Yahweh by eating with the blood.'” So each of the people brought his own ox with him that night and killed it there.
35 USawuli wasesakhela uThixo i-alithari; wayeqala ukwenza lokhu.
Saul built an altar to Yahweh, which was the first altar that he built to Yahweh.
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.”
Then Saul said, “Let us pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them until morning; let us not leave one of them alive.” They replied, “Do whatever seems good to you.” But the priest said, “Let us approach God here.”
37 USawuli wabuza uNkulunkulu wathi, “Ngehle ngilandele amaFilistiya na? Uzawanikela esandleni sika-Israyeli na?” Kodwa uNkulunkulu kamphendulanga ngalolosuku.
Saul asked God, “Should I pursue 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.
Then Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people; learn and see how this sin has happened today.
39 Ngeqiniso elinjengoba uThixo ohlenga u-Israyeli ephila, lanxa sisendodaneni yami uJonathani, kumele ife.” Kodwa akukho lamunye wabantu owatsho ilizwi.
For, as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely die.” But none of the men among all the people answered him.
40 USawuli wasesithi kubo bonke abako-Israyeli, “Manini laphayana; mina lendodana yami uJonathani sizakuma ngapha.” Abantu baphendula bathi, “Yenza lokho okukhanya kulungile kuwe.”
Then he said to all Israel, “You must stand on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other.” The people said to Saul, “Do what seems good to you.”
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.
Saul said, “Yahweh, God of Israel! If this sin has been committed by me or by my son Jonathan, then, Yahweh, God of Israel, give the Urim. But if this sin has been committed by your people Israel, give the Thummim.” Then Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, but the army was exonerated.
42 USawuli wasesithi, “Phosani inkatho phakathi kwami loJonathani indodana yami.” UJonathani wabanjwa.
Then Saul said, “Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son.” Then Jonathan was taken by lot.
43 USawuli wasesithi kuJonathani, “Ngitshela lokho okwenzileyo.” Ngakho uJonathani wamtshela wathi, “Nginambithe uluju nje kuphela ngesihloko somqwayi wami. Khathesi-ke sokumele ngife!”
Then Saul said to Jonathan, “Tell me what you have done.” Jonathan told him, “I tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die.”
44 USawuli wathi, “UNkulunkulu kangijezise, kube nzima kakhulu, nxa ungafi, Jonathani.”
Saul said, “God do so and more also to me, if you do not die, Jonathan.”
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.
Then the people said to Saul, “Should Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great victory for Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he has worked with God today.” So the people rescued Jonathan so that he did not die.
46 USawuli wayekela ukuxotshana lamaFilistiya, njalo amaFilistiya abuyela elizweni lakibo.
Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place.
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.
When Saul began to rule over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side. He fought against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them.
48 Walwa ngesibindi wehlula ama-Amaleki, wakhulula u-Israyeli ezandleni zalabo ababebaphangile.
He acted with great courage and defeated the Amalekites. He rescued Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them.
49 Amadodana kaSawuli ayenguJonathani, lo-Ishivi kanye loMalikhi-Shuwa. Ibizo lendodakazi yakhe endala lalinguMerabi, elomcinyane linguMikhali.
The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. The names of his two daughters were Merab, the firstborn, and Michal, the younger.
50 Ibizo lomkakhe lalingu-Ahinowama indodakazi ka-Ahimazi. Umlawuli webutho likaSawuli wayengu-Abhineri indodana kaNeri, uNeri wayengumfowabo kayise kaSawuli.
The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam; she was the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
51 UKhishi uyise kaSawuli, loNeri uyise ka-Abhineri babengamadodana ka-Abhiyeli.
Kish was Saul's father; and Ner, the father of Abner, was the son of Abiel.
52 Kuzozonke insuku zikaSawuli kwakulempi enzima lamaFilistiya, njalo loba kungaphi uSawuli abona khona indoda elamandla kumbe elesibindi, wayingenisa ebuthweni lakhe.
There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. When Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself.
