2 Samweli 15

1 Baada ya muda, Absalomu akajipatia magari ya vita na farasi pamoja na watu hamsini wa kupiga mbio mbele yake.

And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

2 Akawa anaamka asubuhi na mapema na kusimama kando ya barabara inayoelekea kwenye lango la mji. Wakati wowote alipokuja mtu yeyote mwenye mashtaka yanayohitaji kuletwa mbele ya mfalme kwa maamuzi, Absalomu naye angemwita na kumuuliza, “Wewe unatoka mji upi?” Naye angejibu, “Mtumishi wako anatoka katika mojawapo ya makabila ya Israeli.”

And Absalom rose early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was [so], that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called to him, and said, Of what city [art] thou? And he said, Thy servant [is] one of the tribes of Israel.

3 Kisha Absalomu angemwambia, “Tazama, malalamiko yako ni ya haki na sawasawa, lakini hakuna mwakilishi wa mfalme wa kukusikiliza.”

And Absalom said to him, See, thy matters [are] good and right; but [there is] no man [deputed] by the king to hear thee.

4 Absalomu aliongeza, “Laiti tu ningeteuliwa kuwa mwamuzi katika nchi. Ndipo kila mmoja mwenye mashtaka au shauri angekuja kwangu nami ningeona kwamba anapata haki.”

Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!

5 Pia, wakati mtu yeyote alipomkaribia ili kusujudu mbele yake, Absalomu alinyoosha mkono wake na kumshika pia kumbusu.

And it was [so], that when any man came nigh [to him] to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

6 Absalomu akaendelea na tabia hii mbele ya Waisraeli wote waliomjia mfalme kumwomba awape haki; kwa hiyo Absalomu akaiba mioyo ya watu wa Israeli.

And in this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 Mnamo mwisho wa mwaka wa nne, Absalomu akamwambia mfalme, “Naomba unipe ruhusa niende Hebroni nikatimize nadhiri niliyomwekea Bwana.

And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said to the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.

8 Wakati mtumishi wako alipokuwa huko Geshuri katika nchi ya Aramu, niliweka nadhiri hii, ‘Ikiwa Bwana atanirudisha Yerusalemu, nitamwabudu Bwana huko Hebroni.’”

For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

9 Mfalme akamwambia, “Enenda kwa amani.” Hivyo akaenda Hebroni.

And the king said to him, Go in peace, So he arose, and went to Hebron.

10 Kisha Absalomu akatuma wajumbe kwa siri katika makabila yote ya Israeli, kusema, “Mara mtakaposikia sauti ya tarumbeta basi semeni, ‘Absalomu ni mfalme huko Hebroni.’”

But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

11 Watu mia mbili kutoka Yerusalemu walikuwa wamefuatana na Absalomu. Walikuwa wamealikwa kama wageni nao walikwenda kwa nia njema, pasipo kujua lolote.

And with Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem, [that were] called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

12 Wakati Absalomu alipokuwa anatoa dhabihu, pia akatuma aitwe Ahithofeli, Mgiloni, mshauri wa Daudi, aje kutoka Gilo, ambao ndio mji wake wa nyumbani. Kwa hiyo mpango wa hila ukapata nguvu, na idadi ya waliofuatana na Absalomu ikaongezeka.

And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city, [even] from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

13 Mjumbe akaja na kumwambia Daudi, “Mioyo ya watu wa Israeli inaambatana na Absalomu.”

And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

14 Ndipo Daudi akawaambia maafisa wake wote waliokuwa pamoja naye huko Yerusalemu, “Njooni! Ni lazima tukimbie, la sivyo hakuna hata mmoja wetu atakayeokoka kutoka mkononi mwa Absalomu. Ni lazima tuondoke kwa haraka, la sivyo atakuja mbio na kutupata, atatuangamiza na kuupiga mji kwa upanga.”

And David said to all his servants that [were] with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not [else] escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he should overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

15 Maafisa wa mfalme wakamjibu, “Watumishi wako tu tayari kufanya lolote mfalme bwana wetu analochagua.”

And the king's servants said to the king, Behold, thy servants [are ready to do] whatever my lord the king shall appoint.

16 Mfalme akatoka, pamoja na watu wa nyumbani mwake wakimfuata; lakini akawaacha masuria kumi ili kuangalia jumba la kifalme.

And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women [who were] concubines to keep the house.

17 Hivyo mfalme akaondoka, pamoja na watu wote wakimfuata, wakatua mahali mbali kiasi.

And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

18 Watu wake wote wakatembea, wakampita wakiwa wamefuatana na Wakerethi na Wapelethi wote; pia Wagiti wote mia sita waliokuwa wamefuatana naye kutoka Gathi wakapita mbele ya mfalme.

And all his servants passed on by his side; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

19 Mfalme akamwambia Itai, Mgiti, “Kwa nini ufuatane na sisi? Rudi ukakae pamoja na Mfalme Absalomu. Wewe ni mgeni, mkimbizi kutoka nchini mwako.

Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Why goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king; for thou [art] a stranger, and also an exile.

20 Ulikuja jana tu. Nami leo nikufanye utangetange pamoja nasi, wakati sijui niendako? Rudi, nawe ukawachukue watu wa kwenu. Wema na uaminifu na viwe pamoja nawe.”

Whereas thou camest [but] yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may; return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth [be] with thee.

21 Lakini Itai akamjibu mfalme, “Hakika kama Bwana aishivyo na kama mfalme bwana wangu aishivyo, popote mfalme bwana wangu atakapokuwa, ikiwa ni kuishi au kufa, hapo ndipo mtumishi wako atakapokuwa.”

And Ittai answered the king, and said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

22 Daudi akamwambia Itai, “Songa mbele, endelea.” Kwa hiyo Itai, Mgiti, akaendelea pamoja na watu wake wote, pia jamaa zote waliokuwa pamoja naye.

And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that [were] with him.

23 Watu wote wa nje ya mji wakalia kwa sauti wakati watu wote walipokuwa wakipita. Mfalme naye akavuka Bonde la Kidroni, nao watu wote wakaelekea jangwani.

And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, towards the way of the wilderness.

24 Sadoki pia alikuwako, kadhalika Walawi wote waliokuwa pamoja naye walikuwa wamechukua Sanduku la Agano la Mungu. Wakaweka chini Sanduku la Mungu, naye Abiathari akatoa dhabihu mpaka watu wote walipokuwa wameondoka mjini.

And lo, Zadok also, and all the Levites [were] with him bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

25 Kisha mfalme akamwambia Sadoki, “Rudisha Sanduku la Mungu mjini. Ikiwa nitapata kibali mbele za Bwana, atanirudisha, nami nitaliona Sanduku hili tena pamoja na Maskani yake.

And the king said to Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and show me [both] it, and his habitation:

26 Lakini kama yeye atasema, ‘Mimi sipendezwi nawe,’ basi mimi niko tayari; yeye na anifanye chochote aonacho chema kwake.”

But if he shall thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, [here am] I, let him do to me as seemeth good to him.

27 Pia mfalme alimwambia kuhani Sadoki, “Je, wewe si mwonaji? Rudi mjini kwa amani pamoja na mwanao Ahimaasi na Yonathani mwana wa Abiathari. Wewe na Abiathari wachukueni wana wenu wawili.

The king said also to Zadok the priest, [Art not] thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

28 Nitasubiri kwenye vivuko katika jangwa mpaka neno litakapotoka kwenu kuniarifu.”

See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until word shall come from you to certify me.

29 Kwa hiyo Sadoki na Abiathari wakarudisha Sanduku la Mungu mpaka Yerusalemu na kukaa huko.

Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

30 Bali Daudi akaendelea, akapanda Mlima wa Mizeituni, akaenda huku analia, akiwa amefunika kichwa chake na bila viatu miguuni. Watu wote waliokuwa pamoja naye nao wakafunika vichwa vyao, wakawa wanapanda mlima huku wanalia.

And David went up by the ascent of [mount] Olivet, and wept as he went, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that [were] with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went.

31 Basi Daudi alikuwa ameambiwa, “Ahithofeli alikuwa miongoni mwa washiriki wa shauri baya la Absalomu.” Ndipo Daudi akaomba, akisema, “Ee Bwana, geuza shauri la Ahithofeli kuwa ujinga.”

And [one] told David, saying, Ahithophel [is] among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

32 Daudi alipofika kwenye kilele cha mlima, mahali ambapo watu walikuwa wamezoea kumwabudu Mungu, Hushai, Mwariki, alikuwako huko kumlaki, joho lake likiwa limeraruka na mavumbi kichwani mwake.

And it came to pass, that [when] David had come to the top [of the mount], where he worshiped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head;

33 Daudi akamwambia, “Kama ukienda pamoja nami, utakuwa mzigo kwangu.

To whom David said, If thou shalt pass on with me, then thou wilt be a burden to me:

34 Lakini ikiwa utarudi mjini na kumwambia Absalomu, ‘Nitakuwa mtumishi wako, ee mfalme; nilikuwa mtumishi wa baba yako wakati uliopita, lakini sasa nitakuwa mtumishi wako,’ basi utaweza kunisaidia kwa kupinga shauri la Ahithofeli.

But if thou shalt return to the city, and say to Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; [as] I [have been] thy father's servant hitherto, so [will] I now also [be] thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

35 Je, makuhani Sadoki na Abiathari hawatakuwa pamoja nawe? Waambie lolote utakalosikia katika jumba la mfalme.

And [hast thou] not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, [that] whatever thing thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell [it] to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

36 Wana wao wawili, Ahimaasi mwana wa Sadoki na Yonathani mwana wa Abiathari, wako pamoja nao huko. Watume kwangu na lolote utakalosikia.”

Behold, [they have] there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's [son], and Jonathan Abiathar's [son]; and by them ye shall send to me every thing that ye can hear.

37 Kwa hiyo Hushai, rafiki wa Daudi, akafika Yerusalemu wakati Absalomu alipokuwa anaingia mjini.

So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.