1 Samuel 11

1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”

1 Nahashi yule Mwamoni, akakwea kuuzunguka kwa jeshi mji wa Yabeshi-Gileadi. Watu wote wa Yabeshi wakamwambia, “Fanya mkataba na sisi, na tutakuwa chini yako.”

2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.”

2 Lakini Nahashi yule Mwamoni akajibu, “Nitafanya mkataba na ninyi tu kwa sharti kwamba nitangʼoa jicho la kulia la kila mmoja wenu, na hivyo kuleta aibu juu ya Israeli yote.”

3 “Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.”

3 Viongozi wa Yabeshi wakamwambia, “Tupe siku saba ili tuweze kutuma wajumbe katika Israeli yote, kama hakuna hata mmoja anayekuja kutuokoa, tutajisalimisha kwako.”

4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and relayed these words in the hearing of the people, they all wept aloud.

4 Wajumbe walipofika Gibea ya Sauli na kutoa taarifa juu ya masharti haya kwa watu, wote walilia kwa sauti kubwa.

5 Just then Saul was returning from the field, behind his oxen. “What troubles the people?” asked Saul. “Why are they weeping?” And they relayed to him the words of the men from Jabesh.

5 Wakati huo huo Sauli alikuwa anarudi kutoka mashambani, akiwa nyuma ya maksai wake, naye akauliza, “Watu wana nini? Mbona wanalia?” Ndipo wakamweleza jinsi watu wa Yabeshi walivyokuwa wamesema.

6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he burned with great anger.

6 Sauli aliposikia maneno yao, Roho wa Mungu akaja juu yake kwa nguvu, naye akawaka hasira.

7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out together as one man.

7 Akachukua jozi ya maksai na kuwakata vipande vipande, naye kuvituma hivyo vipande kupitia wajumbe katika Israeli yote, wakitangaza, “Hivi ndivyo itakavyofanyika kwa maksai wa kila mmoja ambaye hatamfuata Sauli na Samweli.” Kisha hofu ya Bwana ikawaangukia watu, nao wakatoka kama mtu mmoja.

8 And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.

8 Sauli alipowakusanya huko Bezeki, watu wa Israeli walikuwa 300,000 na watu wa Yuda 30,000.

9 So they said to the messengers who had come, “Tell the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Deliverance will be yours tomorrow by the time the sun is hot.’” And when the messengers relayed this to the men of Jabesh, they rejoiced.

9 Wakawaambia wale wajumbe waliokuwa wamekuja, “Waambieni watu wa Yabeshi-Gileadi, ‘Kesho kabla jua halijawa kali, mtaokolewa.’” Wajumbe walipokwenda na kutoa taarifa hii kwa watu wa Yabeshi, wakafurahi.

10 Then the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Tomorrow we will come out, and you can do with us whatever seems good to you.”

10 Wakawaambia Waamoni, “Kesho tutajisalimisha kwenu, nanyi mtaweza kututendea chochote mnachoona chema kwenu.”

11 The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions, and during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them, until the hottest part of the day. And the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

11 Kesho yake Sauli alitenganisha watu wake katika vikosi vitatu; wakati wa zamu ya mwisho ya usiku wakaingia katika kambi ya Waamoni na kuwachinja mpaka mchana. Wale walionusurika wakasambaa, kiasi kwamba hawakusalia watu wawili pamoja.

12 Then the people said to Samuel, “Who said that Saul should not reign over us? Bring those men here so we can kill them!”

12 Kisha watu wakamwambia Samweli, “Ni nani yule aliyeuliza, ‘Je, Sauli atatawala juu yetu?’ Tuletee hawa watu, nasi tutawaua.”

13 But Saul ordered, “No one shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.”

13 Lakini Sauli akasema, “Hakuna hata mmoja atakayeuawa leo, kwa kuwa siku hii Bwana ameokoa Israeli.”

14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.”

14 Ndipo Samweli akawaambia watu, “Njooni, twendeni Gilgali na huko tuthibitishe ufalme.”

15 So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.

15 Kwa hiyo watu wote wakaenda Gilgali na kumthibitisha Sauli kuwa mfalme mbele za Bwana. Huko wakatoa dhabihu za sadaka za amani mbele za Bwana, naye Sauli na Waisraeli wote wakafanya karamu kubwa.