Abahluleli 9
1 UAbhimeleki indodana kaJerubali wasesiya eShekema kubafowabo bakanina, wakhuluma kibo lakusendo lonke lwendlu kayise kanina, esithi:
Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and to all the clan of his mother,
2 Ake likhulume endlebeni zabo bonke abahlali beShekemalithi: Yikuphi okungcono kini ukuthi wonke amadodana kaJerubali amadoda angamatshumi ayisikhombisa alibuse, kumbe indoda eyodwa ilibuse? Khumbulani futhi ukuthi ngilithambo lenu lenyama yenu.
“Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.”
3 Labafowabo bakanina bamkhulumela ezindlebeni zabo bonke abahlali beShekema wonke la amazwi. Inhliziyo yabo yeyamela ukumlandela uAbhimeleki, ngoba bathi: Ungumfowethu.
And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”
4 Bamnika inhlamvu zesiliva ezingamatshumi ayisikhombisa ezavela endlini kaBhali-Berithi; uAbhimeleki waseqhatsha ngazo abantu abayize labangakhathaliyo abamlandelayo.
So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him.
5 Wasesiya endlini kayise eOfira, wabulala abafowabo amadodana kaJerubali, amadoda angamatshumi ayisikhombisa, phezu kwedwala elilodwa; kodwa uJothamu indodana elicinathunjana kaJerubali wasala, ngoba wacatsha.
He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself.
6 Labo bonke abahlali beShekema labo bonke abeBeti-Milo babuthana, bahamba bamenza wabusa uAbhimeleki abe yinkosi, esihlahleni se-okhi esamiswa siseShekema.
Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king.
7 Lapho bemtshela uJothamu, wayakuma phezu kwengqonga yentaba yeGerizimi, waphakamisa ilizwi lakhe wamemeza wathi kibo: Ngizwani bahlali beShekema ukuze uNkulunkulu alizwe.
When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you.
8 Izihlahla zahamba lokuhamba ukuzigcobela inkosi. Zathi esihlahleni somhlwathi: Sibuse.
One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
9 Kodwa isihlahla somhlwathi sathi kuzo: Kambe ngizatshiya amafutha ami abadumisa ngawo uNkulunkulu labantu ngami, ukuze ngiyezunguza phezu kwezihlahla?
But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’
10 Izihlahla zasezisithi esihlahleni somkhiwa: Woza wena usibuse.
Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’
11 Kodwa isihlahla somkhiwa sathi kuzo: Kambe ngizatshiya ubumnandi bami lezithelo zami ezinhle, ukuze ngiyezunguza phezu kwezihlahla?
But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’
12 Izihlahla zasezisithi esihlahleni sevini: Woza wena usibuse.
Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
13 Kodwa isihlahla sevini sathi kuzo: Kambe ngizatshiya iwayini lami elitsha elithokozisa uNkulunkulu labantu, ukuze ngiyezunguza phezu kwezihlahla?
But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’
14 Izihlahla zonke zasezisithi embabazaneni: Woza wena usibuse.
Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’
15 Imbabazane yasisithi ezihlahleni: Uba ngeqiniso lingigcoba ngibe yinkosi phezu kwenu, wozani lidinge ukuvikelwa emthunzini wami; uba kungenjalo-ke, umlilo uzaphuma embabazaneni udle izihlahla zemisedari zeLebhanoni.
But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’
16 Ngakho khathesi, uba likwenzile ngeqiniso langokuthembeka ukuthi libekile uAbhimeleki abe yinkosi, lokuthi uba lenzile okuhle ngoJerubali langendlu yakhe, lokuthi uba lenze kuye ngokufanele izandla zakhe;
Now if you have acted faithfully and honestly in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have done to him as he deserves—
17 ngoba ubaba walilwela, walahlela khatshana impilo yakhe, walophula esandleni samaMidiyani;
for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian,
18 kodwa lina seliyivukele indlu kababa lamuhla, labulala amadodana akhe, amadoda angamatshumi ayisikhombisa, phezu kwedwala elilodwa, labeka uAbhimeleki indodana yencekukazi yakhe ukuthi abe yinkosi yabahlali beShekema, ngoba engumfowenu;
but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother—
19 uba-ke ngeqiniso langokuthembeka lenzile ngoJerubali langendlu yakhe ngalolusuku, thokozani ngoAbhimeleki, laye athokoze ngani.
if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you.
20 Kodwa uba kungenjalo, kakuphume umlilo kuAbhimeleki udle abahlali beShekema leBeti-Milo, njalo kakuphume umlilo kubahlali beShekema leBeti-Milo udle uAbhimeleki.
But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”
21 UJothamu wasephunyuka wabaleka, waya eBeri, wahlala khona, ngenxa kaAbhimeleki umfowabo.
Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.
22 Kwathi uAbhimeleki esebuse uIsrayeli iminyaka emithathu,
After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years,
23 uNkulunkulu wathuma umoya omubi phakathi kukaAbhimeleki labahlali beShekema, njalo abahlali beShekema baziphatha ngokungathembeki kuAbhimeleki,
God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,
24 ukuze udlakela olwenziwa kumadodana kaJerubali angamatshumi ayisikhombisa lubuyele, legazi libekwe phezu kukaAbhimeleki umfowabo owawabulalayo, laphezu kwabahlali beShekema ababeqinise izandla zakhe ukubulala abafowabo.
in order that the crime against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the leaders of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers.
25 Abahlali beShekema basebembekela abacathameli ezingqongeni zezintaba, baphanga bonke ababebedlula ngaleyondlela; uAbhimeleki wasekubikelwa.
The leaders of Shechem set up an ambush against Abimelech on the hilltops, and they robbed all who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech.
26 UGahali indodana kaEbedi wasesiza labafowabo, bedlulela eShekema; njalo abahlali beShekema bamthemba.
Meanwhile, Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in him.
27 Basebephuma baya emasimini, bakha izithelo zamavini ezivinini zabo, bazinyathela, benza indumiso, bangena endlini kankulunkulu wabo, badla banatha, bamthuka uAbhimeleki.
And after they had gone out into the fields, gathered grapes from their vineyards, and trodden them, they held a festival and went into the house of their god; and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech.
28 UGahali indodana kaEbedi wasesithi: Ungubani uAbhimeleki njalo ungubani uShekema ukuthi simsebenzele? Kasindodana kaJerubali yini, loZebuli induna yayo? Sebenzelani amadoda kaHamori uyise kaShekema. Ngoba thina sizamsebenzelelani?
Then Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech?
29 Sengathi ngabe lababantu bebesesandleni sami, bengizamkhupha-ke uAbhimeleki. Wasesithi kuAbhimeleki: Yandisa ibutho lakho, uphume.
If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster your army and come out!’”
30 Kwathi uZebuli umbusi womuzi esizwa amazwi kaGahali indodana kaEbedi, ulaka lwakhe lwavutha.
When Zebul the governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger.
31 Wathuma izithunywa kuAbhimeleki ngobuqili, esithi: Khangela, uGahali indodana kaEbedi labafowabo bafikile eShekema, khangela-ke, sebeqinisa umuzi ukumelana lawe.
So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you.
32 Khathesi-ke sukuma ebusuku wena labantu abalawe, uyecathama egangeni.
Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields.
33 Kuzakuthi-ke ekuseni ekuphumeni kwelanga, uvuke ngovivi uwuhlasele umuzi; khangela, lapho yena labantu abalaye bephuma ukumelana lawe, uzakwenza kuye njengalokho isandla sakho esikutholayo.
And in the morning at sunrise, get up and advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, do to them whatever you are able.”
34 UAbhimeleki wasesukuma labo bonke abantu ababelaye, ebusuku, basebeyicathamela iShekema ngezigaba ezine.
So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies.
35 UGahali indodana kaEbedi wasephuma wema esikhaleni sesango lomuzi. UAbhimeleki wasesukuma labantu ababelaye ekucathameni.
Now Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelech and his men came out from their hiding places.
36 Kwathi uGahali ebona abantu, wathi kuZebuli: Khangela, abantu bayehla ezingqongeni zezintaba. Kodwa uZebuli wathi kuye: Ubona amathunzi ezintaba kungathi ngabantu.
When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountains!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.”
37 UGahali waqhubeka futhi ekhuluma wathi: Khangela, abantu bayehla bevela phakathi kwelizwe, lelinye ixuku livela endleleni yamagceke abavumisi.
Then Gaal spoke up again, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.”
38 UZebuli wasesithi kuye: Usungaphi umlomo wakho owathi ngawo: Ungubani uAbhimeleki ukuthi simkhonze? Laba kayisibo abantu obadeleleyo yini? Ake uphume khathesi uyekulwa labo.
“Where is your gloating now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the people you ridiculed? Go out now and fight them!”
39 UGahali wasephuma phambi kwabahlali beShekema, walwa loAbhimeleki.
So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,
40 UAbhimeleki wamxotsha, wasebaleka phambi kwakhe; abanengi bawa belimele kwaze kwaba sekungeneni kwesango.
but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate.
41 UAbhimeleki wasehlala eAruma. UZebuli wasemxotsha uGahali labafowabo, ukuze bangahlali eShekema.
Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.
42 Kwasekusithi kusisa abantu baphuma baya egangeni; bamtshela uAbhimeleki.
The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech.
43 Wasethatha abantu, wabehlukanisa baba ngamaxuku amathathu, wacathama egangeni, wabona, khangela-ke, abantu bephuma emzini, wabasukela wabatshaya.
So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them.
44 UAbhimeleki lexuku elalilaye basebebahlasela bema ekungeneni kwesango lomuzi, lamaxuku amabili ahlasela bonke ababesegangeni, abatshaya.
Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two companies rushed against all who were in the fields and struck them down.
45 UAbhimeleki wasesilwa emelene lomuzi lolosuku lonke, wawuthumba umuzi, wabulala abantu ababekiwo, wadilizela phansi umuzi, wawuhlanyela ngetshwayi.
And all that day Abimelech fought against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he demolished the city and sowed it with salt.
46 Lapho bonke abahlali bomphotshongo weShekema bekuzwa, bangena enqabeni yendlu kaEli-Berithi.
On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.
47 Kwabikelwa uAbhimeleki ukuthi bonke abahlali bemphotshongweni weShekema babuthene ndawonye.
And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there,
48 UAbhimeleki wasesenyukela entabeni yeZalimoni, yena labo bonke abantu ababelaye; uAbhimeleki wathatha ihloka esandleni sakhe, wagamula ugatsha lwezihlahla, waluthatha walwetshata ehlombe lakhe, wathi ebantwini ababelaye: Lokhu elibona ngikwenza, phangisani likwenze njengami.
he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.”
49 Ngakho bonke abantu labo bagamula, ngulowo ugatsha lwakhe, bamlandela uAbhimeleki bazibeka enqabeni, bathungela inqaba ngomlilo phezu kwabo, kwaze kwathi bonke abantu bomphotshongo weShekema labo bafa, phose abesilisa labesifazana abayinkulungwane.
So each man also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. Then they piled the branches against the inner chamber and set it on fire above them, killing everyone in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women.
50 UAbhimeleki wasesiya eThebezi, wamisa inkamba maqondana leThebezi wayithumba.
Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it.
51 Kodwa kwakulomphotshongo oqinileyo phakathi komuzi, labo bonke abesilisa labesifazana babalekela kuyo, labo bonke abahlali bomuzi, babavalela phakathi; benyukela ephahleni lomphotshongo.
But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower.
52 UAbhimeleki wasefika emphotshongweni, walwa lawo, wasondela emnyango womphotshongo ukuze awutshise ngomlilo.
When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire.
53 Owesifazana othile wasephosa ucezu lwelitshe lokuchola ekhanda likaAbhimeleki, wadabula ukhakhayi lwakhe.
But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull.
54 Wasebiza masinyane ijaha elalithwala izikhali zakhe, wathi kilo: Hwatsha inkemba yakho ungibulale, hlezi bathi ngami: Owesifazana wambulala. Ijaha lakhe laselimgwaza, wafa-ke.
He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.
55 Kwathi amadoda akoIsrayeli ebona ukuthi uAbhimeleki usefile, ahamba, ngulowo waya endaweni yakhe.
And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.
56 Ngokunjalo uNkulunkulu wabuyisela ububi bukaAbhimeleki ayebenze kuyise, ngokubulala abafowabo abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa.
In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father in murdering his seventy brothers.
57 Labo bonke ububi bamadoda eShekema uNkulunkulu wabubuyisela phezu kwamakhanda awo; kwasekusehlela phezu kwabo isiqalekiso sikaJothamu indodana kaJerubali.
And God also brought all the wickedness of the men of Shechem back upon their own heads. So the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came upon them.
