1 Samweli 7

1 Watu wa Kiriath Yearimu walikuja, wakalichukua sanduku la BWANA, wakalileta ndani ya nyumba ya Abinadabu mlimani iliyokuwa kilimani. Wakamteua Eleazari, mwanawe, kulitunza sanduku la BWANA.

And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and brought up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.

2 Tangu siku ambayo sanduku lilikaa huko Kiiriath Yearimu, ulipita muda mrefu, miaka ishirini. Nyumba yote ya Israeli iliomboleza na ikaazimu kumrudia BWANA.

And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

3 Samweli akawaambia watu wote wa Israeli, “Kama mtamrudia BWANA kwa moyo wenu wote, mkaiondoa miungu migeni na Ashtorethi kutoka katikati yenu, igeuzeni mioyo yenu kwa BWANA, na mwabuduni yeye peke yake, ndipo atawaokoa kutoka mkono wa Wafilisti.”

And Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return to the LORD with all your hearts, [then] put away the strange gods, and Ashtaroth, from among you, and prepare your hearts to the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.

4 Ndipo watu wa Israeli wakamuondoa Baali na Ashtorethi, na wakamwabudu BWANA peke yake.

Then the children of Israel put away Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

5 Ndipo Samweli akasema, “Waleteni Israeli wote hadi Mizpa, nami nitamwomba BWANA kwa ajili yenu.”

And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you to the LORD.

6 Wakakusanyika Mispa, wakateka maji na kuyamwaga chini mbele za BWANA. Siku hiyo walifunga na kusema, “Tumemfanyia BWANA dhambi.” Hapo Mispa ndipo Samweli aliwaamu na kuwaongoza watu wa Iraeli. -8

And they assembled at Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured [it] out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and there said, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

7 Basi Wafilisti waliposikiakwamba Waisraeli wamekusanyika hapo Mispa, viongozi wa Wafilisti waliwashambulia Israeli. Waisraeli waliposikia hivyo, waliwaogopa Wafilisti.

And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were assembled at Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard [it], they were afraid of the Philistines.

8 Ndipo Waisraeli wakamwambia Samweli, “Usiache kumwomba BWANA Mungu wetu kwa ajili yetu, ili atuokoe kutoka mkono wa Wafilisti.”

And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry to the LORD our God for us, that he will save us from the hand of the Philistines.

9 Samweli alimchukua kondoo mchanga nakumtoa sadaka ya kuteketezwa kikamilifu kwa BWANA. Ndipo Samweli akamlilia BWANA kwa ajili ya Israeli, na BWANA akamjibu.

And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered [it for] a burnt-offering wholly to the LORD: and Samuel cried to the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.

10 Hata Samweli alipokuwa akitoa sadaka ya kuteketezwa, Wafilisti wakasogea karibu kuwashambulia Israeli; lakini BWANA alipiga kwa nguromo ya sauti kubwa siku hiyo dhidi ya Wafilisti na kuwatia kiwewe, na wakashindwa mbele ya Israeli.

And as Samuel was offering the burnt-offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.

11 Waisraeli wakaondoka Mispa, wakawafuatia Wafilisti na kuwaua hadi kufika chini ya Beth kari.

And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until [they came] under Beth-car.

12 KIsha Samweli akachukua jiwe akalisimamisha kati ya Mispa na Sheni. Akaliita hilo jiwe Ebeneza, akisema, “Hata sasa BWANA ametusaidia.”

Then Samuel took a stone, and set [it] between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

13 Kwa hiyo, Wafilisti walishindwa na hawakuingia katika mipaka ya Israeli. Mkono wa BWANA uliwalemea Wafilisti siku zote za Samweli.

So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the borders of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

14 Miji ambayo Wafilisti waliitwaa kutoka kwa Israeli ilirudishwa, kutokea Ekroni hadi Gathi; Israeli ikarudisha tena sehemu za nchi zake kutoka kwa Wafilisti. Ndipo ikawa amani kati ya Israeli na Waamori.

And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and the borders of it did Israel deliver from the hands of the Philistines: and there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

15 Samweli akawa mwamuzi wa Israeli siku zote za maisha yake.

And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.

16 Kila mwaka alienda Betheli kwa kuzunguka, akienda Gilgali, na huko Mispa.

And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.

17 Kisha angerudi Rama, kwa sababu mji wake ulikuwa huko; na huko pia aliwaamua Waisiraeli. Hata huko Rama, pia alimjengea BWANA madhabahu.

And his return [was] to Ramah; for there [was] his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar to the LORD.