1 Samweli 11
1 Nahashi yule Mwamoni, akakwea kuuzunguka kwa jeshi mji wa Yabeshi-Gileadi. Watu wote wa Yabeshi wakamwambia, “Fanya mkataba na sisi, na tutakuwa chini yako.”
And Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh-Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
2 Lakini Nahashi yule Mwamoni akajibu, “Nitafanya mkataba na ninyi tu kwa sharti kwamba nitangʼoa jicho la kulia la kila mmoja wenu, na hivyo kuleta aibu juu ya Israeli yote.”
And Nahash the Ammonite said to them, On this [condition] will I treat with you, that I thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
3 Viongozi wa Yabeshi wakamwambia, “Tupe siku saba ili tuweze kutuma wajumbe katika Israeli yote, kama hakuna hata mmoja anayekuja kutuokoa, tutajisalimisha kwako.”
And the elders of Jabesh said to him, Allow us seven days, and we will send messengers into all the districts of Israel; and if there be no man to deliver us, we will come out to thee.
4 Wajumbe walipofika Gibea ya Sauli na kutoa taarifa juu ya masharti haya kwa watu, wote walilia kwa sauti kubwa.
And the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told these words in the ears of the people. And all the people lifted up their voice and wept.
5 Wakati huo huo Sauli alikuwa anarudi kutoka mashambani, akiwa nyuma ya maksai wake, naye akauliza, “Watu wana nini? Mbona wanalia?” Ndipo wakamweleza jinsi watu wa Yabeshi walivyokuwa wamesema.
And behold, Saul came after the oxen from the field; and Saul said, What [aileth] the people that they weep? And they related to him the words of the men of Jabesh.
6 Sauli aliposikia maneno yao, Roho wa Mungu akaja juu yake kwa nguvu, naye akawaka hasira.
And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those words, and his anger was kindled greatly.
7 Akachukua jozi ya maksai na kuwakata vipande vipande, naye kuvituma hivyo vipande kupitia wajumbe katika Israeli yote, wakitangaza, “Hivi ndivyo itakavyofanyika kwa maksai wa kila mmoja ambaye hatamfuata Sauli na Samweli.” Kisha hofu ya Bwana ikawaangukia watu, nao wakatoka kama mtu mmoja.
And he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent throughout the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, Whoever comes not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen! And the fear of Jehovah fell on the people, and they came out as one man.
8 Sauli alipowakusanya huko Bezeki, watu wa Israeli walikuwa 300,000 na watu wa Yuda 30,000.
And he numbered them in Bezek, and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
9 Wakawaambia wale wajumbe waliokuwa wamekuja, “Waambieni watu wa Yabeshi-Gileadi, ‘Kesho kabla jua halijawa kali, mtaokolewa.’” Wajumbe walipokwenda na kutoa taarifa hii kwa watu wa Yabeshi, wakafurahi.
And they said to the messengers that had come, Thus shall ye say to the men of Jabesh-Gilead: To-morrow ye shall have deliverance when the sun is hot. And the messengers came and informed the men of Jabesh-Gilead; and they were glad.
10 Wakawaambia Waamoni, “Kesho tutajisalimisha kwenu, nanyi mtaweza kututendea chochote mnachoona chema kwenu.”
And the men of Jabesh said, To-morrow we will come out to you, and ye may do with us according to all that is good in your sight.
11 Kesho yake Sauli alitenganisha watu wake katika vikosi vitatu; wakati wa zamu ya mwisho ya usiku wakaingia katika kambi ya Waamoni na kuwachinja mpaka mchana. Wale walionusurika wakasambaa, kiasi kwamba hawakusalia watu wawili pamoja.
And it came to pass the next day that Saul set the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and smote Ammon until the heat of the day: and it came to pass that they who remained were scattered, and not two of them were left together.
12 Kisha watu wakamwambia Samweli, “Ni nani yule aliyeuliza, ‘Je, Sauli atatawala juu yetu?’ Tuletee hawa watu, nasi tutawaua.”
And the people said to Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.
13 Lakini Sauli akasema, “Hakuna hata mmoja atakayeuawa leo, kwa kuwa siku hii Bwana ameokoa Israeli.”
But Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day; for to-day Jehovah has wrought deliverance in Israel.
14 Ndipo Samweli akawaambia watu, “Njooni, twendeni Gilgali na huko tuthibitishe ufalme.”
And Samuel said to the people, Come and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
15 Kwa hiyo watu wote wakaenda Gilgali na kumthibitisha Sauli kuwa mfalme mbele za Bwana. Huko wakatoa dhabihu za sadaka za amani mbele za Bwana, naye Sauli na Waisraeli wote wakafanya karamu kubwa.
And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before Jehovah in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed peace-offerings before Jehovah. And there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced exceedingly.
