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.”
THEN Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto 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 answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may 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 unto him, Give us seven days’ respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save 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.
Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, 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 herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings 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 tidings, 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 hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.
8 Sauli alipowakusanya huko Bezeki, watu wa Israeli walikuwa 300,000 na watu wa Yuda 30,000.
And when he numbered them in Bezek, 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 unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
10 Wakawaambia Waamoni, “Kesho tutajisalimisha kwenu, nanyi mtaweza kututendea chochote mnachoona chema kwenu.”
Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.
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 was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not 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 unto 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.”
And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel.
14 Ndipo Samweli akawaambia watu, “Njooni, twendeni Gilgali na huko tuthibitishe ufalme.”
Then said Samuel 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 the Lord in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
