1 Samweli 8
1 Samweli alipozeeka, aliwaweka watoto wake wawe waamuzi juu ya Israeli.
When Samuel grew old, he made his sons leaders over Israel.
2 Mtoto wake wa kwanza aliitwa Yoeli, na mtoto wake wa pili aliitwa Abiya. Hawa walikuwa waamuzi katika Bersheba.
His first son was named Joel, and his second son was named Abijah. They were rulers in Beersheba.
3 Watoto wake hawakuenenda katika njia za baba yao, bali walipiga mbio kutafuta mapato ya udhalimu. Walipokea rushwa na na kupotosha hukumu.
However, his sons did not follow his ways. They were corrupt, making money by accepting bribes and perverting justice.
4 Ndipo wazee wote wa Israeli walikutana pamoja na kumwendea Samweli huko Rama.
So the elders of Israel all joined together and came to meet Samuel at Ramah.
5 Wakamwambia, “Angalia, wewe umekuwa mzee, na watoto wako hawaenendi katika njia zako. Tuchagulie mfalme wakutuamua kama yalivyo mataifa yote.”
“Look here,” they told him, “you are old, and your sons do not follow your ways. Choose a king to rule over us like all the other nations.”
6 Lakini haikumpendeza Sameli waliposema, “Utupatie mfalme wa kutuamua.” Hivyo akamwomba BWANA.
Samuel thought this was a bad idea when they said, “Give us a king to rule over us,” so he prayed to the Lord about it.
7 Na BWANA akamwambia Samweli, “Sikiliza sauti ya watu kwa kila jambo wanalokwambia; kwa sababu hwajakukataa wewe, bali wamenikataa mimi nisiwe mfalme wao.
“Do what the people tell you,” the Lord said to Samuel, “because it's not you they're rejecting, but me as their king.
8 Sasa wanafanya kama vile walivyotenda tangu siku ile nilipowatoa huko Misri, kwa kuniacha, na kuwatumikia miungu mingine, na ndivyo hivyo pia wanakufanyia na wewe.
They're doing just as they have always done since I led them out of Egypt right up to now. They have abandoned me and worshiped other gods, and they're doing just the same to you.
9 Basi sasa uwasikilize; lakini uwaonye sawasawa na uwafahamishe tabia ya mfalme atakaye waongoza.
So do what they want, but give them a solemn warning—explain to them what a king will do when he rules over them.”
10 Kwa hiyo Samweli akawaambia watu waliokuwa wakiomba mfalme maneno yote ya BWANA.
Samuel repeated all that the Lord had said to the people asking him to give them a king.
11 Akasema, “Hivi ndivyo jinsi mfalme atakavyowatawala.
“This is what a king will do when he rules over you,” he told them. “He will take your sons and make them serve as charioteers and horsemen, and to run as a guard in front of his chariot.
12 Atawachukua watoto wenu wa kiume na kuwaweka juu ya magari ya vita na kuwa wapanda farasi wake, na kukimbia mbele ya magari yake. Atawaweka ma- kapteni wake juu ya maelfu ya askari, na ma-kapteni juu ya askari hamsini. Wengine atawafanya wakulima wamashamba yake, wengine wavunaji wa mazao yake, wengine watatengeneza silaha zake na zana za magari yake.
Some of them he will make commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some will have to plow his fields and reap his harvest. Some will be assigned to making weapons of war and chariot equipment.
13 Naye atawachukua binti zenu kuwa watengeneza manukato, wapishi, na waoka mikate.
He will take your daughters and have them work as perfume-makers, cooks, and bakers.
14 Atachukua mashamba yenu mazuri, mashamba ya mizabibu, na yale ya mizeituni na kuwapa watumishi wake.
He will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his officials.
15 Atachukua moja ya kumi ya nafaka zenu na mizabibu na na kuwapa maofisa na watumishi wake.
He will take a tenth of your grain harvest and the produce of your vineyards and allocate it to his chief officers and officials.
16 Atawachukua watumwa wenu na wajakazi wenu na vijana wenu waliowazuri na punda wenu; atawatumikisha wote kwa ajili yake.
He will take your male servants and your female servants, and your best young men and your donkeys, and make them work for him.
17 Atawatoza moja ya kumi ya mifugo yenu, na mtakuwa watumwa wake.
He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will be his slaves.
18 Ndipo mtalia siku ile kwa sababu ya mfalme wenu mliyemchagua kwa ajili yenu; lakini siku ile BWANA hatawajibu
On that day you will plead to be rescued from the king you have chosen, but the Lord won't answer you then.”
19 Lakini watu walikataa kumsikiliza Samweli; wakasema, “Hapana!” Lazima awepo mfalme juu yetu.
But the people refused to listen to what Samuel said. “No!” they insisted. “We want our own king!
20 Ili tuweze kuwa kama mataifa mengine yote, na hivyo mfalme wetu aweze kutuamua na atoke mbele yetu na atupiganie vita yetu.
That way we can be like all the other nations. Our king will rule us, and will lead us when we go out to fight our battles.”
21 Naye Samweli aliposikia maneno yote ya watu, akayarudia katika masiko ya BWANA.
Samuel listened to everything the people said and repeated it to the Lord.
22 BWANA akamwambia Samweli, “Sikiliza sauti yao na uwafanyie mfalme.” Hivyo Samweli akawaambia watu wa Israeli, “Kila mtu na arudi mjini kwake.”
The Lord told Samuel, “Do what they say and give them a king.” Then Samuel told the Israelites, “Go back to your homes.”
