1 Samuel 14

1 One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But Jonathan did not tell his father.

1 Siku moja Yonathani mwana wa Sauli akamwambia kijana mbeba silaha wake, akasema, “Njoo, tuwavukie Wafilisti kwenye doria upande ule mwingine.” Lakini hakumwambia baba yake.

2 Meanwhile, Saul was staying under the pomegranate tree in Migron on the outskirts of Gibeah. And the troops who were with him numbered about six hundred men,

2 Sauli alikuwa akikaa kwenye viunga vya Gibea chini ya mkomamanga huko Migroni. Alikuwa pamoja na watu kama 600,

3 including Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was the son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli the priest of the LORD in Shiloh. But the troops did not know that Jonathan had left.

3 miongoni mwao alikuwepo Ahiya, ambaye alikuwa amevaa kisibau. Alikuwa mwana wa Ikabodi, nduguye Ahitubu mwana wa Finehasi, mwana wa Eli, kuhani wa Bwana huko Shilo. Hakuna yeyote aliyekuwa na habari kwamba Yonathani alikuwa ameondoka.

4 Now there were cliffs on both sides of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost. One was named Bozez and the other Seneh.

4 Kila upande wa njia ambayo Yonathani alikusudia kupita ili kuvuka kufikia doria ya Wafilisti kulikuwepo na jabali; moja lilikuwa linaitwa Bosesi, na jingine Sene.

5 One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba.

5 Jabali moja lilisimama kaskazini kuelekea Mikmashi na jingine upande wa kusini kuelekea Geba.

6 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”

6 Yonathani akamwambia kijana wake mbeba silaha, “Njoo, tuvukie doria ya wale jamaa wasiotahiriwa. Huenda Bwana atatenda kwa ajili yetu. Hakuna chochote kitakachoweza kumzuia Bwana kuokoa, kwamba ni kwa wingi au kwa uchache.”

7 His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”

7 Mbeba silaha wake akamwambia, “Fanya yale yote uliyo nayo katika moyo wako. Songa mbele; moyo wangu na roho yangu viko pamoja nawe.”

8 “Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them.

8 Yonathani akasema, “Basi njoo; tutavuka kuwaelekea hao watu na kuacha watuone.

9 If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and will not go up to them.

9 Kama wakituambia, ‘Subirini hapo mpaka tuje kwenu,’ tutakaa pale tulipo na hatutakwea kwao.

10 But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we will go up, because this will be our sign that the LORD has delivered them into our hands.”

10 Lakini kama watasema, ‘Pandeni mje kwetu,’ tutakwea, kwa sababu hiyo itakuwa ishara yetu kwamba Bwana amewatia mikononi mwetu.”

11 So the two of them showed themselves to the outpost of the Philistines, who exclaimed, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they were hiding!”

11 Basi wote wawili wakajionyesha kwa doria ya Wafilisti. Wafilisti wakasema, “Tazama! Waebrania wanatambaa toka mashimoni walimokuwa wamejificha.”

12 So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!” “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.”

12 Watu wa kwenye doria wakawapigia kelele Yonathani na mbeba silaha wake, wakisema, “Njooni, pandeni kwetu nasi tutawakomesha.” Basi Yonathani akamwambia mbeba silaha wake, “Panda nyuma yangu; Bwana amewatia mikononi mwa Israeli.”

13 So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off.

13 Yonathani akapanda juu, akitumia mikono yake na miguu, pamoja na mbeba silaha wake papo hapo nyuma yake. Wafilisti wakaanguka mbele ya Yonathani, naye mbeba silaha wake akamfuata akiwaua nyuma yake.

14 In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land.

14 Katika hilo shambulio la kwanza, Yonathani na mbeba silaha wake waliua kama watu ishirini kwenye eneo kama la nusu eka.

15 Then panic struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked, and panic spread from God.

15 Kisha fadhaa ikawapata jeshi lote, wale waliokuwa kambini na shambani, wale waliokuwa katika doria na makundi ya washambuliaji, nayo nchi ilitetemeka. Ilikuwa ni hofu ya ghafula iliyotumwa na Mungu.

16 Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction,

16 Wapelelezi wa Sauli huko Gibea ya Benyamini wakaona jeshi likitokomea pande zote.

17 Saul said to the troops who were with him, “Call the roll and see who has left us.” And when they had called the roll, they saw that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were not there.

17 Ndipo Sauli akawaambia watu wale waliokuwa pamoja naye, “Kagueni jeshi mkaone ni nani ameondoka katikati yetu.” Walipokagua, akawa ni Yonathani na mbeba silaha wake ambao hawakuwepo.

18 Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)

18 Sauli akamwambia Ahiya, “Leta Sanduku la Mungu.” (Wakati huo lilikuwa kwa Waisraeli.)

19 While Saul was talking to the priest, the commotion in the Philistine camp continued to increase. So Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

19 Wakati Sauli alipokuwa akisema na kuhani, makelele katika kambi ya Wafilisti yakaongezeka zaidi na zaidi. Hivyo Sauli akamwambia kuhani, “Rudisha mkono wako.”

20 Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.

20 Kisha Sauli na watu wake wote wakakusanyika na kwenda vitani. Wakawakuta Wafilisti wakiwa wamechanganyikiwa kabisa, wakitiana panga kila mmoja na wenzake.

21 And the Hebrews who had previously gone up into the surrounding camps to join the Philistines now went over to the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

21 Wale Waebrania ambao walishakuwa pamoja na Wafilisti, na waliokuwa wamepanda pamoja nao katika kambi zao, wakaenda upande wa Waisraeli waliokuwa pamoja na Sauli na Yonathani.

22 When all the Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they also joined the battle in close pursuit.

22 Waisraeli wote waliokuwa wamejificha katika nchi ya milima ya Efraimu waliposikia kuwa Wafilisti wamekimbia, wakajiunga vitani na kuwafuata kwa bidii.

23 So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven.

23 Hivyo Bwana akawaokoa Waisraeli siku ile, navyo vita vilienea hadi kupita Beth-Aveni.

24 Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food.

24 Basi watu wa Israeli walikuwa katika dhiki siku ile, kwa sababu Sauli alikuwa amewafunga watu kwa kiapo, akisema, “Alaaniwe mtu yeyote ambaye atakula chakula kabla ya jioni, kabla sijalipiza kisasi juu ya adui zangu!” Kwa hiyo hakuna mtu yeyote katika jeshi aliyeonja chakula.

25 Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.

25 Jeshi lote liliingia mwituni, na huko kulikuwepo na asali ardhini.

26 And when they entered the forest and saw the flowing honey, not one of them put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath.

26 Walipoingia mwituni, wakaona asali ikitiririka, hata hivyo hakuna mtu yeyote aliyetia mkono wake kinywani, kwa sababu waliogopa kiapo.

27 Jonathan, however, had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath. So he reached out the end of the staff in his hand, dipped it into the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.

27 Lakini Yonathani alikuwa hajasikia kuwa baba yake alikuwa amewafunga watu kwa kiapo, hivyo akainyoosha ncha ya fimbo iliyokuwa mkononi mwake na kuichovya katika sega la asali. Akainua mkono wake na kuutia kinywani mwake, nayo macho yake yakawa maangavu.

28 Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the troops with a solemn oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food today.’ That is why the people are faint.”

28 Kisha mmoja wa askari wake akamwambia, “Baba yako alilifunga jeshi kwa kiapo kikali, akisema, ‘Alaaniwe mtu yeyote alaye chakula leo!’ Ndiyo sababu watu wanalegea.”

29 “My father has brought trouble to the land,” Jonathan replied. “Just look at how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.

29 Yonathani akasema, “Baba yangu ameitaabisha nchi. Ona jinsi nilivyopata nguvu mpya nilipoonja asali hii kidogo.

30 How much better it would have been if the troops had eaten freely today from the plunder they took from their enemies! Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been much greater?”

30 Ingekuwa bora zaidi mara ngapi kama watu wangalikula leo baadhi ya nyara walizoteka kutoka kwa adui zao. Je, mauaji ya Wafilisti yasingekuwa makubwa zaidi?”

31 That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the people were very faint.

31 Siku ile baada ya Waisraeli kuwaua Wafilisti kutoka Mikmashi mpaka Aiyaloni, walikuwa wamechoka.

32 So they rushed greedily to the plunder, taking sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them on the ground and ate meat with the blood still in it.

32 Watu wakarukia zile nyara, wakichukua kondoo, ngʼombe na ndama, wakawachinja hapo juu ya nchi na kuwala, pamoja na damu.

33 Then someone reported to Saul: “Look, the troops are sinning against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.” “You have broken faith,” said Saul. “Roll a large stone over here at once.”

33 Kisha mtu mmoja akamwambia Sauli, “Tazama, watu wanatenda dhambi dhidi ya Bwana kwa kula nyama yenye damu.” Akasema, “Mmevunja uaminifu. Livingirisheni jiwe kubwa hapa mara moja.”

34 Then he said, “Go among the troops and tell them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep, slaughter them in this place, and then eat. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.’” So that night everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there.

34 Kisha Sauli akasema, “Nendeni miongoni mwa watu, mwaambie, ‘Kila mmoja wenu aniletee ngʼombe wake na kondoo, mwachinjie hapa na mle. Msitende dhambi dhidi ya Bwana kwa kula nyama ikiwa na damu ndani yake.’” Hivyo kila mmoja akaleta ngʼombe wake jioni ile na kumchinja hapo.

35 Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.

35 Ndipo Sauli akamjengea Bwana madhabahu, na ndiyo ilivyokuwa mara yake ya kwanza kujenga madhabahu.

36 And Saul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them until dawn, leaving no man alive!” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied. But the priest said, “We must consult God here.”

36 Sauli akasema, “Tuteremke tufuatie Wafilisti usiku na kuwateka nyara mpaka mapambazuko, nasi tusiache hata mmoja wao hai.” Wakajibu, “Fanya lolote lile uonalo jema zaidi kwako.” Lakini kuhani akasema, “Tuulize kwa Mungu mahali hapa.”

37 So Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But God did not answer him that day.

37 Basi Sauli akamuuliza Mungu, akisema, “Je, niteremke kuwafuatia Wafilisti? Je, utawatia mikononi mwa Israeli?” Lakini Mungu hakumjibu siku ile.

38 Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.

38 Kwa hiyo Sauli akasema, “Njooni hapa, ninyi nyote ambao ni viongozi wa jeshi, na tutafute ni dhambi gani imefanywa leo.

39 As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.

39 Kwa hakika kama Bwana aiokoaye Israeli aishivyo, hata kama itakuwa juu ya mwana wangu Yonathani, ni lazima afe.” Lakini hakuna mtu yeyote aliyesema neno.

40 Then Saul said to all Israel, “You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other side.” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied.

40 Kisha Sauli akawaambia Waisraeli wote, “Ninyi simameni huko; mimi na mwanangu Yonathani tutasimama hapa.” Watu wakajibu, “Fanya lile unaloona jema zaidi kwako.”

41 So Saul said to the LORD, the God of Israel, “Why have You not answered Your servant this day? If the fault is with me or my son Jonathan, respond with Urim, but if the fault is with the men of Israel, respond with Thummim.” And Jonathan and Saul were selected, but the people were cleared of the charge.

41 Kisha Sauli akamwomba Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, akisema, “Nipe jibu lililo sawa.” Yonathani na Sauli wakatolewa kwa kura, nao watu wakawa salama.

42 Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected.

42 Sauli akasema, “Pigeni kura kati yangu na mwanangu Yonathani.” Kura ikamwangukia Yonathani.

43 “Tell me what you have done,” Saul commanded him. So Jonathan told him, “I only tasted a little honey with the end of the staff that was in my hand. And now I must die?”

43 Basi Sauli akamwambia Yonathani, “Niambie ni nini ulichokifanya.” Hivyo Yonathani akamwambia, “Nilionja tu asali kidogo kwa ncha ya fimbo yangu. Je, sasa ni lazima nife?”

44 And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!”

44 Sauli akasema, “Mungu na anishughulikie kwa ukali zaidi kama wewe Yonathani hutakufa.”

45 But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.

45 Lakini watu wakamwambia Sauli, “Je, Yonathani atakufa, yeye ambaye ameleta wokovu huu mkubwa Israeli? Hasha! Hakika kama Bwana aishivyo, hakuna hata unywele wa kichwa chake utakaoanguka juu ya ardhi, kwa kuwa alifanya jambo hili leo kwa msaada wa Mungu.” Basi watu wakamwokoa Yonathani, wala hakuuawa.

46 Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land.

46 Kisha Sauli akaacha kuwafuata Wafilisti, nao wakajiondoa na kurudi katika nchi yao.

47 After Saul had assumed the kingship over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side—the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he routed them.

47 Baada ya Sauli kujitwalia utawala katika Israeli, alipigana dhidi ya adui zake kila upande: Moabu, Waamoni, Edomu, wafalme wa Soba, na Wafilisti. Popote alipogeukia, aliwashinda.

48 He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.

48 Akapigana kishujaa na kuwashinda Waamaleki, akiikomboa Israeli kutoka mikono ya wale waliokuwa wamewateka nyara.

49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter).

49 Wana wa Sauli walikuwa Yonathani, Ishvi na Malki-Shua. Jina la binti yake mkubwa lilikuwa Merabu, naye mdogo aliitwa Mikali.

50 His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner.

50 Jina la mkewe Sauli aliitwa Ahinoamu binti wa Ahimaasi. Jina la jemadari wa jeshi la Sauli aliitwa Abneri mwana wa Neri, naye Neri alikuwa babaye mdogo Sauli.

51 Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.

51 Babaye Sauli yaani, Kishi na Neri baba yake Abneri walikuwa wana wa Abieli.

52 And the war with the Philistines was fierce for all the days of Saul. So whenever he noticed any strong or brave man, Saul would enlist him.

52 Siku zote za utawala wa Sauli zilikuwa za vita vikali dhidi ya Wafilisti, na wakati wowote Sauli alimwona mtu mwenye nguvu au shujaa, alimchukua kwa utumishi wake.