< 2 Nyakati 11 >
1 Ikawa Rehoboamu alipofika Yerusalemu, akakusanya nyumba ya Yuda na ya Benyamini, wanaume wapiganaji 180,000, kufanya vita dhidi ya nyumba ya Israeli na kuurudisha tena ufalme kwa Rehoboamu mwana wa Solomoni.
And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam.
2 Lakini neno hili la Bwana likamjia Shemaya mtu wa Mungu:
But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
3 “Mwambie Rehoboamu mwana wa Solomoni mfalme wa Yuda, na Israeli wote walioko Yuda na Benyamini,
Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying,
4 ‘Hili ndilo asemalo Bwana: Msipande kupigana dhidi ya ndugu zenu. Nendeni nyumbani, kila mmoja wenu, kwa kuwa hili nimelitenda mimi.’” Kwa hiyo wakalitii neno la Bwana na wakaacha kwenda kupigana dhidi ya Yeroboamu.
Thus says the LORD, All of you shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.
5 Rehoboamu akaishi Yerusalemu akajenga miji yenye ngome katika Yuda:
And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.
6 Akajenga Bethlehemu, Etamu, Tekoa,
He built even Bethlehem, and Etam, and Tekoa,
7 Beth-Suri, Soko, Adulamu,
And Bethzur, and Shoco, and Adullam,
And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,
9 Adoraimu, Lakishi, Azeka,
And Adoraim, and Lachish, and Azekah,
10 Sora, Aiyaloni na Hebroni. Hii ndiyo iliyokuwa miji iliyojengewa ngome katika Yuda na Benyamini.
And Zorah, and Aijalon, and Hebron, which are in Judah and in Benjamin fenced cities.
11 Akaimarisha ulinzi wake na kuweka majemadari ndani yake, pamoja na ghala za mahitaji ya vyakula, mafuta ya zeituni na divai.
And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.
12 Akaweka ngao na mikuki katika miji na kuifanya iwe imara sana. Kwa hiyo Yuda na Benyamini zikawa zake.
And in every several city he put shields and spears, and made them exceeding strong, having Judah and Benjamin on his side.
13 Makuhani na Walawi kutoka sehemu zote za Israeli wakawa upande wake.
And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.
14 Pia Walawi wakaacha maeneo yao ya malisho na mali zao, wakaja Yuda na Yerusalemu kwa sababu Yeroboamu na wanawe walikuwa wamewakataa wasiwe makuhani wa Bwana.
For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD:
15 Naye akawa amechagua makuhani wake mwenyewe kwa ajili ya mahali pa juu pa kuabudia sanamu za mbuzi na za ndama ambazo alikuwa ametengeneza.
And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.
16 Wale waliotoka katika kila kabila la Israeli ambao walielekeza mioyo yao kumtafuta Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, wakawafuata Walawi huko Yerusalemu kumtolea Bwana dhabihu, Mungu wa baba zao.
And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.
17 Wakaimarisha ufalme wa Yuda na kumuunga mkono Rehoboamu mwana wa Solomoni miaka mitatu, wakienenda katika njia za Daudi na Solomoni katika wakati huu.
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon.
18 Rehoboamu alimwoa Mahalati ambaye alikuwa binti Yeremothi mwana wa Daudi, mamaye alikuwa Abihaili binti Eliabu mwana wa Yese.
And Rehoboam took him Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David to wife, and Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;
19 Mahalati alimzalia Rehoboamu wana: Yeushi, Shemaria na Zahamu.
Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham.
20 Kisha akamwoa Maaka binti Absalomu, ambaye alimzalia: Abiya, Atai, Ziza na Shelomithi.
And after her he took Maachah the daughter of Absalom; which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
21 Rehoboamu akampenda Maaka binti Absalomu zaidi kuliko wakeze wengine na masuria wake. Kwa jumla alikuwa na wake kumi na wanane na masuria sitini, wana ishirini na wanane na binti sitini.
And Rehoboam loved Maachah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: (for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and brings forth twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.)
22 Rehoboamu akamweka Abiya mwana wa Maaka, kuwa mkuu wa wana wa mfalme miongoni mwa ndugu zake ili amfanye mfalme.
And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
23 Akatenda kwa busara, akiwasambaza baadhi ya wanawe katika wilaya zote za Yuda na Benyamini, pamoja na miji yote yenye ngome. Akawapa mahitaji tele na kuwaoza wake wengi.
And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, unto every fenced city: and he gave them victual in abundance. And he desired many wives.