2 Samweli 3

1 Vita kati ya nyumba ya Sauli na nyumba ya Daudi vilidumu kwa muda mrefu. Daudi akaendelea kuwa imara zaidi na zaidi, wakati nyumba ya Sauli iliendelea kudhoofika zaidi na zaidi.

Now there was a long war between Saul's people and David's people; and David became stronger and stronger, but those on Saul's side became more and more feeble.

2 Wana walizaliwa kwa Daudi huko Hebroni: Mzaliwa wake wa kwanza alikuwa Amnoni mwana wa Ahinoamu wa Yezreeli;

While David was in Hebron he became the father of sons: the oldest was Amnon, son of Ahinoam of Jezreel;

3 mzaliwa wake wa pili alikuwa Danieli mwana wa Abigaili, mjane wa Nabali wa Karmeli; wa tatu, Absalomu mwana wa Maaka, binti Talmai mfalme wa Geshuri;

And the second, Chileab, whose mother was Abigail, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom, son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;

4 wa nne, Adoniya mwana wa Hagithi; wa tano, Shefatia mwana wa Abitali;

And the fourth, Adonijah, the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah, the son of Abital;

5 wa sita, Ithreamu mwana wa Egla, mkewe Daudi. Hawa ndio waliozaliwa kwa Daudi huko Hebroni.

And the sixth, Ithream, whose mother was David's wife Eglah. These were the sons of David, whose birth took place in Hebron.

6 Wakati wa vita kati ya nyumba ya Sauli na nyumba ya Daudi, Abneri alikuwa anajiimarisha katika nafasi yake kwenye nyumba ya Sauli.

Now while there was war between Saul's people and David's people, Abner was making himself strong among the supporters of Saul.

7 Basi Sauli alikuwa amekuwa na suria, jina lake Rispa binti wa Aiya. Naye Ish-Boshethi akamwambia Abneri, “Kwa nini umekutana kimwili na suria wa baba yangu?”

Now Saul had among his wives a woman named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Why have you taken my father's wife?

8 Abneri akakasirika sana kwa sababu ya kile Ish-Boshethi alichosema, naye akamjibu, “Je, mimi ni kichwa cha mbwa, kwa upande wa Yuda? Siku hii ya leo mimi ni mtiifu kwa nyumba ya baba yako Sauli, kwa jamaa yake na rafiki zake. Sijakukabidhi kwa Daudi, lakini bado unanilaumu kwa kosa la kuhusika na huyu mwanamke!

And Abner was very angry at the words of Ish-bosheth, and he said, Am I a dog's head of Judah? I am this day doing all in my power for the cause of your father Saul and for his brothers and his friends, and have not given you up into the hands of David, and now you say I have done wrong with a woman.

9 Mungu na amshughulikie Abneri, tena kwa ukali, ikiwa sitafanya kwa ajili ya Daudi kile Bwana alichomwahidi kwa kiapo,

May God's punishment be on Abner, if I do not for David as the Lord in his oath has said,

10 na kuuhamisha ufalme kutoka kwenye nyumba ya Sauli na kuimarisha kiti cha ufalme cha Daudi juu ya Israeli na Yuda kuanzia Dani mpaka Beer-Sheba.”

And if I do not take away the kingdom from the family of Saul and make David ruler over Israel and Judah from Dan as far as Beer-sheba!

11 Ish-Boshethi hakuthubutu kusema neno jingine kwa Abneri, kwa sababu alimwogopa Abneri.

And so great was Ish-bosheth's fear of Abner that he was not able to say a word in answer.

12 Ndipo Abneri akatuma wajumbe kwa niaba yake kwa Daudi, kumwambia, “Nchi hii ni ya nani? Fanya mapatano na mimi, nami nitakusaidia kuiweka Israeli yote juu yako.”

And Abner sent men to David at Hebron, saying, Make an agreement with me, and I will give you my support in getting all Israel on your side.

13 Daudi akasema, “Vyema, nitafanya mapatano nawe. Lakini nahitaji jambo moja kwako: Usije mbele yangu mpaka umemleta Mikali binti Sauli wakati utakapokuja kuniona.”

And he said, It is well; I will make an agreement with you, but on one condition, which is, that when you come before me, Saul's daughter Michal is to come with you; till she comes you will not see my face.

14 Kisha Daudi akapeleka wajumbe kwa Ish-Boshethi mwana wa Sauli, kudai, “Nipe Mikali mke wangu, ambaye nilimposa mwenyewe kwa mahari ya magovi 100 ya Wafilisti.”

And David sent men to Saul's son Ish-bosheth, saying, Give me back Michal, my wife, whom I made mine for the price of the private parts of a hundred Philistines.

15 Kwa hiyo Ish-Boshethi akatoa amri kwamba Mikali achukuliwe kutoka kwa Paltieli mumewe, mwana wa Laishi.

So Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel, the son of Laish.

16 Hata hivyo, mumewe alikwenda pamoja naye, akilia nyuma ya mkewe njia yote hadi Bahurimu. Ndipo Abneri akamwambia Paltieli, “Rudi nyumbani!” Kwa hiyo akarudi.

And her husband went with her as far as Bahurim, weeping while he went. Then Abner said to him, Go back. And he went back.

17 Abneri akafanya shauri pamoja na wazee wa Israeli, akasema, “Muda mrefu mmetaka kumfanya Daudi mfalme wenu.

Then Abner had a talk with the chief men of Israel, saying, In the past it was your desire to make David your king: so now, do it:

18 Sasa fanyeni hivyo! Kwa maana Bwana alimwahidi Daudi akisema, ‘Kwa kupitia Daudi mtumishi wangu nitawaokoa watu wangu Israeli kutoka mikononi mwa Wafilisti na kutoka mikononi mwa adui zako wote.’”

For the Lord has said of David, By the hand of my servant David I will make my people Israel safe from the Philistines, and from all who are against them.

19 Pia Abneri mwenyewe akazungumza na kabila la Benyamini. Kisha akaenda mpaka Hebroni kumwambia Daudi kila kitu ambacho Israeli na nyumba yote ya Benyamini walichotaka kufanya.

And Abner said the same things to Benjamin: and he went to David in Hebron to make clear to him what seemed good to Israel and to all the people of Benjamin.

20 Wakati Abneri aliyekuwa na watu ishirini pamoja naye, alipokuja kwa Daudi huko Hebroni, Daudi akamwandalia karamu pamoja na watu wake.

So Abner, with twenty men, came to Hebron, to David. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him.

21 Ndipo Abneri akamwambia Daudi, “Niache niende mara moja nikakusanye Israeli yote kwa ajili ya mfalme bwana wangu, ili waweze kufanya mapatano na wewe, ili kwamba uweze kutawala juu ya yote yale ambayo moyo wako unaonea shauku.” Basi Daudi akamuaga Abneri, naye akaenda kwa amani.

And Abner said to David, Now I will go, and make all Israel come to my lord the king, so that they may make an agreement with you, and your kingdom may be as wide as your heart's desire. Then David sent Abner away and he went in peace.

22 Wakati huo huo, watu wa Daudi na Yoabu walirudi kutoka kwenye kushambulia, nao wakarudi na nyara nyingi mno. Lakini Abneri hakuwa tena pamoja na Daudi huko Hebroni, kwa sababu Daudi alikuwa amemruhusu aende zake, naye akaenda kwa amani.

Now the servants of David and Joab had been out attacking a band of armed men, and they came back with a great store of goods taken in the fight: but Abner was no longer in Hebron with David, for he had sent him away and he had gone in peace.

23 Yoabu na askari wote aliokuwa nao walipowasili, aliambiwa kwamba Abneri mwana wa Neri alikuwa amekuja kwa mfalme na kwamba mfalme alikuwa amemruhusu aende zake, na kwamba alikwisha ondoka kwa amani.

When Joab and his men came, news was given them that Abner, the son of Ner, had come to the king, who had let him go away again in peace.

24 Basi Yoabu alikwenda kwa mfalme na kumwambia, “Ni nini hiki ulichofanya? Tazama, Abneri alikuja kwako. Kwa nini ukamwacha aende? Sasa amekwenda!

Then Joab came to the king, and said, What have you done? when Abner came to you why did you send him away and let him go?

25 Wajua Abneri mwana wa Neri alikuja kukudanganya na kuchunguza nyendo zako na kupata kila kitu unachokifanya.”

Is it not clear to you that Abner, the son of Ner, came with deceit to get knowledge of your going out and your coming in and of all you are doing?

26 Ndipo Yoabu akamwacha Daudi na kutuma wajumbe wamfuate Abneri, nao wakamrudisha kutoka kisima cha Sira. Lakini Daudi hakufahamu jambo hili.

And when Joab had come out from David, he sent men after Abner, and they overtook him at the water-spring of Sirah, and made him come back with them: but David had no knowledge of it.

27 Basi Abneri aliporudi Hebroni, Yoabu akamchukua kando ndani ya lango, kama vile kuzungumza naye faraghani. Ili kulipiza kisasi damu ya nduguye Asaheli, Yoabu akamchoma mkuki tumboni palepale, naye akafa.

And when Abner was back in Hebron, Joab took him on one side by the doorway of the town to have a word with him quietly, and there he gave him a wound in the stomach, causing his death in payment for the death of his brother Asahel.

28 Baadaye, Daudi aliposikia kuhusu jambo hili, akasema, “Mimi na ufalme wangu kamwe hatuna hatia mbele za Bwana kuhusu damu ya Abneri mwana wa Neri.

And when David had word of it he said, May I and my kingdom be clear for ever in the eyes of the Lord from the blood of Abner, the son of Ner:

29 Damu yake na iwe juu ya kichwa cha Yoabu na juu ya nyumba yote ya baba yake! Kamwe asikosekane yeyote katika nyumba ya Yoabu mwenye kidonda chenye usaha, au ukoma au mwenye kuegemea fimbo au aangukaye kwa upanga au kupungukiwa na chakula.”

May it come on the head of Joab and all his father's family: among the men of Joab's family may there ever be some who are diseased or lepers, or who do the work of women, or are put to the sword, or are wasted from need of food!

30 (Yoabu na Abishai ndugu yake walimuua Abneri kwa sababu alikuwa amemuua Asaheli ndugu yao katika vita huko Gibeoni.)

So Joab and Abishai his brother put Abner to death, because he had put to death their brother Asahel in the fight at Gibeon.

31 Kisha Daudi akamwambia Yoabu na watu wote aliokuwa pamoja nao, “Rarueni nguo zenu na mvae nguo za gunia na mtembee mkiomboleza mbele ya Abneri.” Mfalme Daudi mwenyewe akatembea nyuma ya jeneza.

And David said to Joab and all the people who were with him, Go in grief and put haircloth about you, in sorrow for Abner. And King David went after the dead body.

32 Wakamzika Abneri huko Hebroni, naye mfalme akalia kwa sauti kwenye kaburi la Abneri. Pia watu wote wakalia.

And they put Abner's body to rest in Hebron; and the king and all the people were weeping loudly by the resting-place of Abner's body.

33 Mfalme akaimba ombolezo hili kwa ajili ya Abneri: “Je, ilipasa Abneri afe kama afavyo mpumbavu?

And the king made a song of grief for Abner and said, Was the death of Abner to be like the death of a foolish man?

34 Mikono yako haikufungwa, miguu yako haikufungwa pingu. Ulianguka kama yeye aangukaye mbele ya watu waovu.” Nao watu wote wakamlilia tena.

Your hands were free, your feet were not chained: like the downfall of a man before evil men, so was your fall. And the weeping of the people over him went on again.

35 Kisha watu wote wakaja kumsihi Daudi ale chochote kulipokuwa kungali bado mchana; lakini Daudi akaapa, akisema, “Mungu na anishughulikie, tena kwa ukali, kama nikionja mkate au kitu kingine chochote kabla ya jua kutua!”

And the people came to make David take food, while it was still day, but David with an oath said, May God's punishment be on me if I take a taste of bread or any other thing till the sun has gone down!

36 Watu wote wakaona hilo nao ikawapendeza; naam, kila kitu mfalme alichofanya kiliwapendeza.

And all the people took note of it and were pleased: like everything the king did, it was pleasing to the people.

37 Kwa hiyo siku ile watu wote na Israeli yote wakajua kwamba mfalme hakushiriki katika mauaji ya Abneri mwana wa Neri.

So it was clear to Israel and to all the people on that day that the king was not responsible for the death of Abner, the son of Ner.

38 Kisha mfalme akawaambia watu wake, “Je, hamfahamu kwamba mkuu na mtu mashuhuri ameanguka katika Israeli leo?

And the king said to his servants, Do you not see that a chief and a great man has come to his end today in Israel?

39 Nami leo ingawa ni mfalme mpakwa mafuta, mimi ni dhaifu, nao hawa wana wa Seruya wananizidi nguvu. Bwana na amlipize mtenda maovu sawasawa na matendo yake maovu!”

While I, though I am crowned king, have little strength, and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are out of my control: may the Lord give to the evil-doer the reward of his evil-doing!