2 Samuel 18
1 Afei, Dawid yiyii asahene ne asafohene dii nʼakodɔm anim.
And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds over them.
2 Yoab na ɔtuaa wɔn mu nkyɛmu mmiɛnsa mu baako ano. Yoab nuabarima Abisai a na ɔyɛ Seruia babarima na ɔtuaa nkyɛmu mmiɛnsa mu baako nso ano. Ɛnna nkyɛmu mmiɛnsa mu baako a aka no, Gatni Itai na ɔtuaa ano. Ɔhene no ka kyerɛɛ nʼakodɔm no sɛ, “Me ne mo na ɛrekɔ.”
And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
3 Nanso, ne mmarima no tiaa mu dendeenden sɛ, “Ɛnsɛ sɛ wokɔ bi. Na sɛ ɛba sɛ, ɛsɛ sɛ yɛwae, na yɛdwane, na sɛ mpo, yɛn mu fa koraa wuwu a, ɛrennuru Absalom akodɔm no ho hwee. Wo ara na wɔbɛhwehwɛ. Wo nko ara yɛ yɛn mu ɔpedu enti, ɛyɛ sɛ wobɛtena kurom na sɛ mmoa bi ho hia yɛn a, wode bɛba.”
But the people answered, You shall not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now you are worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that you succor us out of the city.
4 Ɔhene penee so sɛ, “Sɛ modwene sɛ ɛno ne adwene pa deɛ a, mate.” Enti, ɔkɔgyinaa kuro no ɛpono ano, ɛberɛ a akodɔm no rekɔ no.
And the king said to them, What seems you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
5 Na ɔhene no hyɛɛ Yoab, Abisai ne Itai sɛ, “Me enti mo ne abɔfra Absalom nni no bɔkɔɔ so.” Na akodɔm no nyinaa tee saa nhyɛ a ɔhene hyɛɛ nʼasafohene no.
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
6 Enti, ɔko no hyɛɛ aseɛ wɔ Efraim kwaeɛ mu.
So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
7 Na Dawid mmarima no yɛɛ Israel akodɔm no pasaa. Ɛyɛ akofena ano kum, na da no, mmarima ɔpeduonu na wɔhweree wɔn nkwa.
Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
8 Ɔko no didi kɔɔ nkuro so, na ɛsiane kwaeɛ no enti, nnipa pii wuwuiɛ sene wɔn a wɔwuu wɔ akofena ano no.
For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
9 Ɔko no gyina mu no, Absalom puee prɛko pɛ wɔ Dawid mmarima no bi mu. Ɔpɛɛ sɛ ɔdwane wɔ nʼafunumpɔnkɔ so, nanso ɔdwane kɔfaa dɔtɔ bi mu wɔ odum bi ase. Ɔdɔtɔ no kyekyeree ne tirinwi, ma ɔkaa mu. Nʼafunumpɔnkɔ no deɛ, na kɔ ara na ɔrekɔ enti, ɔgyaa no hɔ a, ɔsensɛn dɔtɔ no mu a ɔreto adonko wɔ ewiem.
And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode on a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
10 Dawid mmarima no baako hunuu asɛm a asi no, ɔka kyerɛɛ Yoab sɛ, “Mehunuu Absalom sɛ ɔsensɛn dua bi so wɔ dɔtɔ mu.”
And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
11 Yoab bisaa sɛ, “Asɛm pa ara? Wohunuu no na woanku no? Anka mɛma wo dwetɛ gram ɔha ne dunan ne akokoɔduru abɔwomu sɛ akradeɛ.”
And Joab said to the man that told him, And, behold, you saw him, and why did you not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given you ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
12 Ɔbarima no buaa sɛ, “Sɛ anka wobɛma me dwetɛ kilogram dubaako ne fa koraa a, anka merenyɛ saa. Yɛn nyinaa tee sɛ, ɔhene ka kyerɛɛ wo, Abisai ne Itai sɛ, ‘Me enti, obiara nnyɛ aberanteɛ Absalom bɔne.’
And the man said to Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in my hand, yet would I not put forth my hand against the king’s son: for in our hearing the king charged you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
13 Na sɛ mebu ɔhene asɛm so kum ne babarima a, anka deɛ ɛbɛyɛ biara, ɔhene bɛhwehwɛ deɛ ɔyɛɛ saa. Na anka wʼankasa ne onipa a anka wobɛyi me ama.”
Otherwise I should have worked falsehood against my own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and you yourself would have set yourself against me.
14 Yoab kaa sɛ, “Saa nkwaseasɛm yi ayɛ yie.” Enti, ɔtwee mpɛmɛ mmiɛnsa de wowɔɔ Absalom akoma mu ɛberɛ a na ɔsensɛn odum no so a na ɔnwuiɛ no.
Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with you. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the middle of the oak.
15 Yoab akodeɛkurafoɔ no mu mmeranteɛ edu twaa Absalom ho hyiaeɛ, na wɔkumm no.
And ten young men that bore Joab’s armor compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
16 Na Yoab hyɛnee totorobɛnto, maa akodɔm no gyaee Israel so taa.
And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
17 Wɔfaa Absalom amu no to twenee amena donkudonku bi mu wɔ kwaeɛ mu hɔ, na wɔsoaa abotan guu ne so. Na Israelfoɔ no nyinaa dwane kɔɔ wɔn afie.
And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones on him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
18 Ɛberɛ a Absalom te ase no, ɔsii nkaeɛdum bi wɔ ɔhene bɔnhwa mu de kaee ɔno ara ne ho, ɛfiri sɛ, ɔdwenee sɛ, “Menni ɔbabarima biara a ɔbɛyɛ nkaedeɛ biara de akae me din.” Ɔde nkaeɛdum no too ne ho, na wɔfrɛ no Absalom Nkaeɛdum de bɛsi ɛnnɛ.
Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called to this day, Absalom’s place.
19 Na Sadok babarima Ahimaas kaa sɛ, “Momma mentu mmirika nkɔbɔ ɔhene amaneɛ sɛ, Awurade ayi no afiri atamfoɔ nsam.”
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.
20 Na Yoab nso ka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, “Sɛ ɔhene ba awu a, ɛnyɛ asɛm papa mma no. Wobɛtumi akɔbɔ saa amaneɛ no ɛda foforɔ bi, na ɛnyɛ ɛnnɛ.”
And Joab said to him, You shall not bear tidings this day, but you shall bear tidings another day: but this day you shall bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.
21 Na Yoab ka kyerɛɛ Kusni bi sɛ, “Kɔ na kɔka deɛ woahunu no kyerɛ ɔhene.” Ɛhɔ ara na Kusni no bɔɔ ne mu ase wɔ Yoab anim, na ɔtuu mmirika kɔeɛ.
Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what you have seen. And Cushi bowed himself to Joab, and ran.
22 Bio, Sadok babarima Ahimaas ka kyerɛɛ Yoab sɛ, “Deɛ ɛbɛba biara mmra, ma me ne Kusni no nkɔ.” Nanso, Yoab bisaa no sɛ, “Me ba, adɛn enti na wopɛ sɛ wokɔ? Wonni amanneɛbɔ biara a ɛbɛma wo abasobɔdeɛ biara.”
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray you, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Why will you run, my son, seeing that you have no tidings ready?
23 Ɔkaa sɛ, “Mepene so, nanso ma menkɔ.” Enti Yoab ka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, “Kɔ!” Na Ahimaas faa tata no so kɔeɛ, kɔsianee Kusni no ho.
But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
24 Ɛberɛ a Dawid te kuro no ɛpono ano no, ne wɛmfoɔ no kɔɔ kuro no ɛpono no atifi wɔ ɔfasuo no so. Ɔtoo nʼani no, ɔhunuu sɛ obi de mmirika reba.
And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
25 Ɔwɛmfoɔ no teaam ka kyerɛɛ Dawid na ɔhene no buaa sɛ, “Sɛ ɔno nko ara na ɔnam deɛ a, ebia, na ɔde asɛm pa nam.” Na ɔreba ara, na ɔpinkyɛe.
And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.
26 Afei ɔwɛmfoɔ no hunuu sɛ ɔbarima foforɔ nso di so reba, na ɔteaam sɛ, “Hwɛ onipa foforɔ bi de mmirika reba!” Ɔhene no kaa sɛ, “Ebia, na ɔno nso de asɛm pa na ɛnam.”
And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called to the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also brings tidings.
27 Ɔwɛmfoɔ no kaa sɛ, “Ɔbarima a ɔdi ɛkan no sɛ Sadok babarima Ahimaas.” Ɔhene no kaa sɛ, “Ɔyɛ onipa pa a, ɔde asɛm pa nam.”
And the watchman said, Me thinks the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and comes with good tidings.
28 Na Ahimaas teaam, frɛɛ ɔhene no sɛ, “Biribiara yɛ!” Ɔkotoo wɔ ɔhene no anim, de nʼanim butuu fam kaa sɛ, “Animuonyam nka Awurade, wo Onyankopɔn. Ɔde nnipa a wɔyɛɛ dɔm tiaa me wura ɔhene ahyɛ ne nsa.”
And Ahimaaz called, and said to the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth on his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD your God, which has delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
29 Ɔhene bisaa sɛ, “Na aberanteɛ, Absalom ho yɛ anaa?” Ahimaas buaa sɛ, “Ɛberɛ a Yoab yɛɛ nʼadwene sɛ ɔpɛ sɛ ɔsoma ɔhene ɔsomfoɔ ne me wo ɔsomfoɔ no, mehunuu sɛ nneɛma ayɛ basaa a na menhunu mu yie.”
And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
30 Ɔhene ka kyerɛɛ no sɛ, “Gyina nkyɛn ha na twɛn.” Enti, ɔgyinaa nkyɛn twɛnee.
And the king said to him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
31 Na Kusni no bɛduruiɛ kaa sɛ, “Me wura, Nana, tie asɛm pa a mede nam! Ɛnnɛ, Awurade ayi wo afiri wɔn a wɔsɔre tiaa wo no nyinaa nsam.”
And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD has avenged you this day of all them that rose up against you.
32 Na ɔhene bisaa Kusni no sɛ, “Na aberanteɛ Absalom ho te sɛn?” Kusni no buaa sɛ, “Me wura ɔhene, atamfoɔ nyinaa ne wɔn a wɔsɔre tia wo, pɛ sɛ wɔyɛ wo bɔne no, nhunu amane sɛ saa aberanteɛ no.”
And the king said to Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against you to do you hurt, be as that young man is.
33 Ɔhene ho wosoeɛ. Ɔfaa ɛkwan ano ɛpono no mu kɔɔ ne dan mu kɔsuiɛ, twaa adwo. Ɔrekɔ no, ɔkaa sɛ, “Ao, me ba Absalom! Me ba, me ba Absalom! Anka menwu nnya wo! Ao, Absalom, me ba, me ba!”
And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for you, O Absalom, my son, my son!
