< Vatongi 20 >
1 Ipapo vaIsraeri vose kubva kuDhani kusvikira kuBheerishebha uye nokubva munyika yeGireadhi vakabuda somunhu mumwe chete vakaungana pamberi paJehovha muMizipa.
Ngalesosikhathi bonke abako-Israyeli baphuma njengomuntu munye kusukela eDani kusiya eBherishebha kanye laselizweni leGiliyadi, babuthana phambi kukaThixo eMizipha.
2 Vatungamiriri vavanhu vose vamarudzi eIsraeri vakandomira panzvimbo dzavo paungano yavanhu vaMwari, zviuru zvamazana mana zvavarwi vakapakata minondo.
Abakhokheli babantu bonke bezizwana zako-Israyeli bathatha izindawo zabo ebandleni labantu bakaNkulunkulu, amabutho azinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amane ehlome ngezinkemba.
3 (VaBhenjamini vakanzwa kuti vaIsraeri vakanga vakwidza kuMizipa.) Ipapo vakati, “Dotiudzai kuti chinhu chakaipisisa kudai chakaitika sei?”
(AbakoBhenjamini bezwa ukuthi abako-Israyeli babeye eMizipha.) Abako-Israyeli basebesithi, “Sitsheleni ukuthi into le embi yenzakale njani.”
4 Saka muRevhi, murume womukadzi akapondwa akati, “Ini nomurongo wangu takasvika paGibhea muBhenjamini kuti tindovatamo.
Ngakho umLevi, indoda yowesifazane lowo owayebulewe, wathi, “Mina lomkami weceleni safika eGibhiya koBhenjamini ukuba silale khona.
5 Panguva dzousiku, varume veGibhea vakauya kwandiri vakakomba imba vachida kundiuraya. Vakabata murongo wangu chibharo, uye akafa.
Ebusuku abantu beGibhiya bangivukela bahanqa indlu, behlose ukungibulala. Badlova umkami weceleni waze wafa.
6 Ndakatora murongo wangu, ndikamugura-gura uye ndikatumira chidimbu chimwe chete kunharaunda imwe neimwe yenhaka yeIsraeri, nokuti ndivo vakaita chinhu ichi chinonyangadza uye nokuita kunonyadzisa muIsraeri.
Ngathatha umkami weceleni, ngamquma waba yiziqayiqa, ngathumela isiqa esisodwa esigabeni ngasinye selifa lako-Israyeli, ngoba amanyala lalesisenzo sokuxhwala basenzela ko-Israyeli.
7 Zvino, imi vaIsraeri mose, taurai uye mupe mutongo wenyu.”
Khathesi lonke lina abako-Israyeli, khulumani litsho isinqumo senu.”
8 Vanhu vose vakasimuka somunhu mumwe chete vakati, “Hakuna mumwe wedu achaenda kumba. Kwete, hakuna mumwe wedu achadzokera kumba kwake.
Abantu bonke basukuma njengomuntu munye, besithi, “Akakho kithi ozakuya ekhaya. Hathi, akakho kithi ozabuyela endlini yakhe.
9 Asi zvino izvi ndizvo zvatichaita kuGibhea: Tichakwidza kundorwa nayo sokuratidza kwomujenya.
Kodwa khathesi esizakwenza eGibhiya yilokhu: Sizakuyayihlasela ngokwenza inkatho.
10 Tichatora varume gumi kubva muzana roga roga kubva kumarudzi ose eIsraeri, uye zana kubva muchiuru, uye chiuru kubva mugumi rezviuru, kuti vavigire varwi mbuva. Ipapo, hondo painosvika paGibhea muBhenjamini, ichavapa zvakavafanira zvouipi hwavo uhu hwakaitwa muIsraeri.”
Sizathatha abantu abalitshumi phakathi kwabalikhulu kuzozonke izizwana zako-Israyeli, labalikhulu kwabayinkulungwane, labayinkulungwane kwaba zinkulungwane ezilutshumi ukuba badingele ibutho ukudla. Ekufikeni kwalo ibutho eGibhiya koBhenjamini, lizabanika okubafaneleyo ngamanyala lokuxhwala abakwenze ko-Israyeli.”
11 Saka varume vose veIsraeri vakaungana pamwe chete somunhu mumwe chete kuti vandorwisa guta.
Ngakho bonke abantu bako-Israyeli bahlangana, bamanyana njengomuntu munye bamelana ledolobho.
12 Marudzi aIsraeri akatuma varume kurudzi rwose rwaBhenjamini, vachiti, “Munoti kudiniko pamusoro pemhosva yakaipisisa yakaparwa pakati penyu?
Izizwana zako-Israyeli zathumela abantu kusosonke isizwana sakoBhenjamini, zisithi, “Yibudlova bani lobu obenziwayo phakathi kwenu na?
13 Zvino tipei varume avo vakaipa veGibhea kuti tivauraye tigobvisa chakaipa muIsraeri.” Asi vaBhenjamini havana kuda kuteerera hama dzavo vaIsraeri.
Khathesi-ke, banikeleni labobantu baseGibhiya abagangileyo ukuze sibabulale siqede ububi ko-Israyeli.” Kodwa abakoBhenjamini kababalalelanga abafowabo bako-Israyeli.
14 Vakabva mumaguta avo vakaungana pamwe chete paGibhea kuti vazorwa navaIsraeri.
Baqoqana eGibhiya bevela emadolobheni akibo ukuba balwe labako-Israyeli.
15 Pakarepo vaBhenjamini vakaunganidza varume veminondo zviuru makumi maviri nezvitanhatu kubva mumaguta avo, pamusoro pamazana manomwe akasarudzwa kubva kuna avo vaigara muGibhea.
Ngasikhathi sinye abakoBhenjamini babutha izinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lesithupha zabahlome ngezinkemba emadolobheni akibo, phezu kwabantu abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa abakhethwa kulabo abahlala eGibhiya.
16 Pakati pavarwi ava vose pakanga pane mazana manomwe avarume vakasarudzwa vakanga vane ziboshwe, mumwe nomumwe wavo aigona kupotsera ibwe kutsuro asingapotsi.
Phakathi kwamabutho la kwakulabantu abakhethiweyo abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa ababengamanxele, bonke bengakhuthi abakunxwaneleyo ngesavutha.
17 KuIsraeri, kunze kwaBhenjamini vakaverenga varume veminondo zviuru mazana mana, vose vakanga vari varwi.
Abako-Israyeli, ngaphandle kwabakoBhenjamini, babutha abantu abalwa ngezinkemba abazinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amane, bonke bengabantu bempi.
18 VaIsraeri vakakwidza kuBheteri vakandobvunza Mwari. Vakati, “Ndiani wedu achatanga kundorwa navaBhenjamini?” Jehovha akapindura akati, “Judha ndiye achatanga kuenda.”
Abako-Israyeli baya eBhetheli babuza uNkulunkulu. Bathi, “Ngubani wethu ozahamba kuqala ukuyakulwa labakoBhenjamini?” UThixo wathi, “NguJuda ozahamba kuqala.”
19 Fume mangwana, vaIsraeri vakamuka vakadzika misasa pedyo neGibhea.
Kusisa ekuseni, abako-Israyeli bavuka bamisa izihonqo eduzane leGibhiya.
20 Varume veIsraeri vakabuda kundorwa navaBhenjamini uye vakamira panzvimbo dzokurwa navo paGibhea.
Abantu bako-Israyeli baphuma ukuyakulwa labakoBhenjamini bema ezindaweni ezilungele ukubahlasela eGibhiya.
21 VaBhenjamini vakabuda muGibhea vakauraya vaIsraeri zviuru makumi maviri nezviviri munhandare yehondo pazuva iroro.
AbakoBhenjamini baphuma eGibhiya babulala abako-Israyeli abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lambili endaweni yokulwela mhlalokho.
22 Asi varume veIsraeri vakakurudzirana uyezve vakamira panzvimbo dzavo dzavakanga vatora pazuva rokutanga.
Kodwa abantu bako-Israyeli banikana isibindi babuyela njalo ezindaweni zabo lapho ababekhona ngelanga lakuqala.
23 VaIsraeri vakakwira vakandochema pamberi paJehovha kusvikira madekwana, uye vakabvunza Jehovha. Vakati, “Tichakwirazve kundorwa navaBhenjamini, idzo hama dzedu here?” Jehovha akapindura akati, “Kwirai mundorwa navo.”
Abako-Israyeli bahamba bayakhala phambi kukaThixo kwaze kwaba kusihlwa, njalo babuza uThixo bathi, “Singahamba njalo yini siyekulwa labakoBhenjamini, abafowethu na?” UThixo waphendula yathi, “Hambani liyebahlasela.”
24 Ipapo vaIsraeri vakaswedera pedyo navaBhenjamini pazuva repiri.
Abako-Israyeli basondela koBhenjamini ngosuku lwesibili.
25 Nguva iyi, vaBhenjamini pavakabuda kubva muGibhea kuti vandovarwisa, vakauraya vamwezve zviuru gumi nezvisere zvavaIsraeri, vose vakanga vakapakata minondo.
Ngalesisikhathi, kwathi abakoBhenjamini sebephumile eGibhiya ukuba bamelane labo, babulala abanye njalo abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi lasificaminwembili, bonke behlome ngezinkemba.
26 Ipapo vaIsraeri, vanhu vose vakakwira kuBheteri, uye ikoko vakandogara pasi vachichema pamberi paJehovha. Vakatsanya pazuva iro kusvikira madekwana uye vakapa kuna Jehovha zvipiriso zvinopiswa nezvipiriso zvokuwadzana.
Lapho-ke, abako-Israyeli bonke lebutho lonke baya eBhetheli, bahlala khona bekhala phambi kukaThixo. Ngalelolanga bazila kwaze kwaba kusihlwa, banikela leminikelo yokutshiswa kanye leminikelo yobudlelwano kuThixo.
27 Uye vaIsraeri vakabvunza Jehovha. (Pamazuva iwayo, areka yesungano yaMwari yakanga iripo,
Abako-Israyeli basebebuza uThixo. (Ngalezonsuku umtshokotsho wesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu wawukhonapho,
28 Uye Finehasi mwanakomana waEreazari, mwanakomana waAroni, achishumira pamberi payo.) Vakabvunza vakati, “Tichaendazve kundorwa naBhenjamini hama yedu here kana kuti kwete?” Jehovha akati, “Endai, nokuti mangwana ndichavaisa mumaoko enyu.”
uloFinehasi indodana ka-Eliyazari, indodana ka-Aroni, ekhonza phambi kwawo.) Babuza bathi, “Singahamba njalo yini siyekulwa loBhenjamini umfowethu loba hatshi na?” UThixo waphendula wathi, “Hambani, ngoba kusasa ngizabanikela ezandleni zenu.”
29 Ipapo vaIsraeri vakandovandira vakakomberedza Gibhea.
Ngakho abako-Israyeli bacathama bezungeze iGibhiya.
30 Vakakwidza kundorwa navaBhenjamini pazuva retatu uye vakamira panzvimbo dzavo dzehondo kuti varwe neGibhea sezvavakamboita kare.
Bahamba bayahlasela abakoBhenjamini ngosuku lwesithathu, balungela ukuhlasela iGibhiya njengebabekwenze kuqala.
31 VaBhenjamini vakabuda kuzosangana navo uye vakakwezverwa kure neguta. Vakatanga kubaya vaIsraeri sapakutanga, zvokuti varume vanenge makumi matatu vakafa musango uye nomumigwagwa, inoti mumwe unoenda kuBheteri nomumwe wacho kuGibhea.
AbakoBhenjamini baphuma babahlangabeza baholelwa kude ledolobho. Baqalisa ukubabulala abako-Israyeli njengakuqala, kwathi ababephosa babengamatshumi amathathu bafela egcekeni emgwaqweni oya eBhetheli lomunye oya eGibhiya.
32 VaBhenjamini pavaiti, “Tiri kuvakunda sapakutanga,” vaIsraeri vaiti, “Ngatidududzirei mumashure tivakwezvere kure neguta kumigwagwa.”
Kwathi abakoBhenjamini besithi, “Siyabehlula njengakuqala,” abako-Israyeli bona besithi, “Kasihlehleleni emuva sibaholele kude ledolobho emigwaqweni.”
33 Varume vose veIsraeri vakafamba kubva panzvimbo dzavo uye vakandomira paBhaari Tamari, uye vaIsraeri vakanga vakavandira vakabuda munzvimbo dzavo pamavirira eGibhea.
Bonke abantu bako-Israyeli basuka ezindaweni zabo baya eBhali-Thamari, kwathi abako-Israyeli ababecatheme bahlasela bephuma endaweni yabo ngasentshonalanga kweGibhiya.
34 Ipapo zviuru gumi zvavarume veIsraeri vakanga vakasarudzwa vakavarwisa nechemberi paGibhea. Kurwa kwakanga kwanyanya kwazvo zvokuti vaBhenjamini havana kuziva kuti njodzi yakanga yava pedyo zvakaita sei.
Izinkulungwane ezilitshumi zabantu bako-Israyeli abakhethiweyo bahlasela iGibhiya mathupha. Ukulwa kwakunzima kakhulu ngakho kwenza abakoBhenjamini bangananzeleli ukuthi ingozi yayisisondele.
35 Jehovha akakunda Bhenjamini pamberi peIsraeri, uye pazuva iro vaIsraeri vakauraya vaBhenjamini, vose vakanga vakapakata minondo zviuru makumi maviri nezvishanu nezana rimwe chete.
UThixo wamnqoba uBhenjamini phambi kuka-Israyeli, njalo ngalelolanga abako-Israyeli babulala abakoBhenjamini abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lanhlanu lekhulu, bonke behlome ngezinkemba.
36 Ipapo vaBhenjamini vakaona kuti vakanga vakundwa. Zvino varume veIsraeri vakanga vachitiza pamberi pavaBhenjamini, nokuti vakanga vachisimba nokuvandira kwavakanga varonga pedyo neGibhea.
Lapho-ke abakoBhenjamini babona ukuthi babenqotshiwe. Khonapho abako-Israyeli basebevulele abakoBhenjamini isikhala, ngoba babethembe ababecatheme eduze leGibhiya.
37 Varume vakanga vakavandira vakapinda muGibhea pakarepo, vakapararira uye vakaparadza guta rose nomunondo.
Abantu ababecatheme bagijimela eGibhiya ngokuphangisa, basabalala idolobho lonke balihlasela ngenkemba.
38 Varume veIsraeri vakanga varonga navakanga vakavandira kuti pavaizorwisa, vamwe vaifanira kubatidza moto unobuda utsi huzhinji muguta,
Abantu bako-Israyeli babehlele labacathamayo ukuthi benze iyezi elikhulu lentuthu phakathi kwedolobho,
39 uye ipapo varume veIsraeri vaizovashandukira pakurwa. VaBhenjamini vakanga vatotanga kuuraya varume veIsraeri (vanenge makumi matatu), uye vakati, “Tiri kuvakunda sapahondo yokutanga.”
lapho-ke abantu bako-Israyeli babezaphendukela ekulweni empini. AbakoBhenjamini basebeqalisile ukubulala abako-Israyeli (babephosa babengamatshumi amathathu), njalo bathi, “Siyabehlula njengempini yakuqala.”
40 Asi utsi pahwakatanga kukwira kubva muguta, vaBhenjamini vakacheuka vakaona utsi hweguta rose huchikwira kudenga.
Kodwa kwathi izikhatha zentuthu seziqalise ukuphakama edolobheni, abakoBhenjamini baphenduka babona intuthu yedolobho lonke iqonga isiya phezulu emkhathini.
41 Ipapo varume veIsraeri vakavadzokera, uye varume veBhenjamini vakavhundutswa, nokuti vakaziva kuti njodzi yakanga yavawira.
Lapho-ke abako-Israyeli babaphendukela, abantu bakoBhenjamini batshaywa luvalo, ngoba babona ukuthi ingozi yayisibehlele.
42 Saka vakatiza pamberi pavaIsraeri nenzira inoenda kurenje, asi havana kugona kupunyuka pahondo. Uye varume veIsraeri vakabuda kubva mumaguta vakavauraya ipapo.
Ngakho babaleka phambi kwabako-Israyeli beqonda enkangala kodwa behluleka ukuyibalekela impi. Abako-Israyeli abaphuma emizini bababulalela khonapho.
43 Vakakomba vaBhenjamini, vakavadzinganisa vakavabata nyore nyore pedyo neGibhea nechokumabvazuva.
Babahanqa abakoBhenjamini, baxotshana labo, bababhuqela eduze leGibhiya kalula ngasempumalanga.
44 VaBhenjamini zviuru gumi nezvisere vakafa, vose vaiva varwi voumhare.
Kwafa abakoBhenjamini abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi lasificaminwembili, bonke bengamaqhawe.
45 Vakati vadzoka vakatiza vakananga kurenje kuruware rwaRimoni, vaIsraeri vakauraya varume zviuru zvishanu (mumigwagwa). Vakaramba vachitevera vaBhenjamini kusvikira paGidhomi uye vakaurayazve vamwe zviuru zviviri.
Sebephenduke babaleka beqonda enkangala edwaleni laseRimoni, abako-Israyeli babulala abantu abazinkulungwane ezinhlanu kulandela imigwaqo. Baqhubeka bexotshana labakoBhenjamini baze bayafika eGidomu babulala abanye njalo abazinkulungwane ezimbili.
46 Pazuva iroro, kwakafa varume vaBhenjamini veminondo zviuru makumi maviri nezvishanu, vose varwi voumhare.
Ngalelolanga kwafa abakoBhenjamini abalwa ngenkemba abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lanhlanu, bonke bengamaqhawe.
47 Asi varume mazana matanhatu vakatendeuka vakatizira murenje kuruware rweRimoni, kwavakandogara kwemwedzi mina.
Kodwa abantu abangamakhulu ayisithupha baphenduka babalekela enkangala edwaleni laseRimoni, lapho abahlala khona izinyanga ezine.
48 Varume veIsraeri vakadzokera kuBhenjamini uye vakaparadza maguta ose nomunondo, kusanganisira mhuka nezvimwe zvose zvavakawana. Maguta ose avakaona vakaapisa.
Abantu bako-Israyeli babuyela koBhenjamini bahlasela imizi yonke ngenkemba, kubalwa izifuyo lakho konke okunye abakutholayo. Yonke imizi abafika kuyo bayithungela ngomlilo.