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 long war between Saul’s house and David’s house. David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker.

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

Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

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 his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the 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, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David 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.

While there was war between Saul’s house and David’s house, Abner made himself strong in Saul’s house.

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 a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah; and Ishbosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?”

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!

Then Abner was very angry about Ishbosheth’s words, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to your father Saul’s house, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman!

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

God do so to Abner, and more also, if, as the LORD has sworn to David, I don’t do even so to him:

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.”

to transfer the kingdom from Saul’s house, and to set up David’s throne over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.”

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

He could not answer Abner another word, because he was afraid of him.

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.”

Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “Whose is the land?” and saying, “Make your alliance with me, and behold, my hand will be with you to bring all Israel around to you.”

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

David said, “Good. I will make a treaty with you, but one thing I require of you. That is, you will not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to 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.”

David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I was given to marry for one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.”

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

Ishbosheth 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.

Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go! Return!” and he returned.

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

Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past, you sought for David to be king over you.

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.’”

Now then do it! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.’”

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.

Abner also spoke in the ears of Benjamin; and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and to the whole house 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 came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. David made Abner and the men who were with him a feast.

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.

Abner said to David, “I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your soul desires.” 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.

Behold, David’s servants and Joab came from a raid and brought in a great plunder with them; but Abner was not with David in Hebron, 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 all the army who was with him had come, they told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has sent him away, and he has gone 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? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, and he is already gone?

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

You know Abner the son of Ner. He came to deceive you, and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you do.”

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

When Joab had come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah; but David didn’t know 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.

When Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly, and struck him there in the body, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother.

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.

Afterward, when David heard it, he said, “I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD forever of 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.”

Let it fall on the head of Joab and on all his father’s house. Let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”

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 killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.

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.

David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes, and clothe yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn in front of Abner.” King David followed the bier.

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

They buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at Abner’s grave; and all the people wept.

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

The king lamented for Abner, and said, “Should Abner die as a fool dies?

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

Your hands weren’t bound, and your feet weren’t put into fetters. As a man falls before the children of iniquity, so you fell.” All the people wept again over him.

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!”

All the people came to urge David to eat bread while it was yet day; but David swore, saying, “God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else, until the sun goes down.”

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

All the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as whatever the king did pleased all the people.

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

So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to kill Abner the son of Ner.

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

The king said to his servants, “Don’t you know that a prince and a great man has fallen 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!”

I am weak today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May the LORD reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.”