1 Samweli 7

1 Kisha watu wa Kiriath-Yearimu wakaja na kulichukua Sanduku la Bwana. Wakalipeleka katika nyumba ya Abinadabu juu kilimani na kumweka Eleazari mwanawe wakfu kulichunga Sanduku la Bwana.

The men of Kiriath Jearim came and took the LORD’s ark, and brought it into Abinadab’s house on the hill, and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the LORD’s ark.

2 Sanduku la Bwana lilibakia huko Kiriath-Yearimu kwa muda mrefu, yaani jumla ya miaka ishirini, nao watu wa Israeli wakaomboleza na kumtafuta Bwana.

From the day that the ark stayed in Kiriath Jearim, the time was long—for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

3 Naye Samweli akawaambia nyumba yote ya Israeli, “Ikiwa mtamrudia Bwana kwa mioyo yenu yote, basi iacheni miungu migeni na Maashtorethi na kujitoa wenyewe kwa Bwana na kumtumikia yeye peke yake, naye atawaokoa ninyi na mkono wa Wafilisti.”

Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to the LORD, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.”

4 Hivyo Waisraeli wakaweka mbali Mabaali yao na Maashtorethi, nao wakamtumikia Bwana peke yake.

Then the children of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

5 Kisha Samweli akasema, “Wakusanyeni Israeli wote huko Mispa, nami nitawaombea ninyi kwa Bwana.”

Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you.”

6 Walipokwisha kukutanika huko Mispa, walichota maji na kuyamimina mbele za Bwana. Siku hiyo walifunga na wakaungama, wakisema, “Tumetenda dhambi dhidi ya Bwana.” Naye Samweli alikuwa kiongozi wa Israeli huko Mispa.

They gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah.

7 Wafilisti waliposikia kwamba Israeli wamekusanyika huko Mispa, watawala wa Wafilisti wakapanda ili kuwashambulia. Waisraeli waliposikia habari hiyo, waliogopa kwa sababu ya Wafilisti.

When the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.

8 Wakamwambia Samweli, “Usiache kumlilia Bwana, Mungu wetu, kwa ajili yetu, ili apate kutuokoa na mikono ya Wafilisti.”

The children of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying to the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.”

9 Kisha Samweli akamchukua mwana-kondoo anyonyaye na kumtoa mzima kama sadaka ya kuteketezwa kwa Bwana. Akamlilia Bwana kwa niaba ya Israeli, naye Bwana akamjibu.

Samuel took a suckling lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering to the LORD. Samuel cried to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him.

10 Samweli alipokuwa anatoa hiyo dhabihu ya kuteketezwa, Wafilisti wakasogea karibu ili kupigana vita na Israeli. Lakini siku ile Bwana alinguruma kwa ngurumo kubwa dhidi ya Wafilisti na kuwafanya wafadhaike na kutetemeka hivi kwamba walikimbizwa mbele ya Waisraeli.

As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines came near to battle against Israel; but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day on the Philistines and confused them; and they were struck down before Israel.

11 Watu wa Israeli wakatoka mbio huko Mispa na kuwafuatia Wafilisti, wakiwachinja njiani hadi mahali chini ya Beth-Kari.

The men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and struck them until they came under Beth Kar.

12 Ndipo Samweli akachukua jiwe na kulisimamisha kati ya Mispa na Sheni. Akaliita Ebenezeri, akisema, “Hata sasa Bwana ametusaidia.”

Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “The LORD helped us until now.”

13 Basi Wafilisti wakashindwa na hawakuvamia nchi ya Israeli tena. Katika maisha yote ya Samweli, mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa dhidi ya Wafilisti.

So the Philistines were subdued, and they stopped coming within the border of Israel. The LORD’s hand was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

14 Miji kuanzia Ekroni hadi Gathi, ile ambayo Wafilisti walikuwa wameiteka kutoka Israeli, ilirudishwa kwake, naye Israeli akazikomboa nchi jirani mikononi mwa Wafilisti. Kukawepo amani kati ya Israeli na Waamori.

The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and Israel recovered its border out of the hand of the Philistines. There was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

15 Samweli akaendelea kama mwamuzi juu ya Israeli siku zote za maisha yake.

Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.

16 Mwaka hadi mwaka aliendelea kuzunguka kutoka Betheli mpaka Gilgali na Mispa, akiamua Israeli katika sehemu hizo zote.

He went from year to year in a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places.

17 Lakini kila mara alirudi Rama, kulikokuwa nyumbani kwake, huko pia aliwaamua Israeli. Naye huko alimjengea Bwana madhabahu.

His return was to Ramah, for his house was there, and he judged Israel there; and he built an altar to the LORD there.