1
Basi ikatukia siku moja, ya kwamba Yonathani, mwana wa Sauli, akamwambia yule kijana aliyemchukulia silaha zake, Haya! Na tuwavukie Wafilisti ngomeni, pale ng'ambo ya pili. Walakini hakumwarifu babaye.
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.
2
Naye Sauli alikuwa akikaa katika upande wa mwisho wa Giba, chini ya mkomamanga ulioko kwenye uga; na hao watu waliokuwa pamoja naye walipata watu mia sita;
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,
3
na Ahiya, mwana wa Ahitubu nduguye Ikabodi, mwana wa Finehasi, mwana wa Eli, kuhani wa Bwana huko Shilo, mwenye kuvaa naivera. Tena hao watu hawakujua ya kwamba Yonathani ameondoka.
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.
4
Na katikati ya mianya, ambayo Yonathani alitaka kuipitia ili kuifikilia hiyo ngome ya Wafilisti, palikuwa na genge la jabali upande huu, na genge la jabali upande huu; jina la moja liliitwa Bosesi, na jina la pili Sene.
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.
5
Hilo genge moja limesimama upande wa kaskazini, mbele ya Mikmashi, na hilo la pili upande wa kusini, mbele ya Geba.
One cliff stood to the north toward Michmash, and the other to the south toward Geba.
6
Basi, Yonathani akamwambia yule kijana aliyemchukulia silaha zake, Haya! Na twende tukawavukie ngomeni hao wasiotahiriwa; yamkini Bwana atatutendea kazi; kwa maana hakuna la kumzuia Bwana asiokoe, kwamba ni kwa wengi au kwamba ni kwa wachache.
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.”
7
Naye huyo mchukua silaha akamjibu, Fanya yote yaliyomo moyoni mwako; angalia, mimi hapa ni pamoja nawe, moyo wangu ni kama moyo wako.
His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.”
8
Ndipo Yonathani akasema, Tazama, sisi tutawavukia watu hawa, na kujidhihirisha kwao.
“Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them.
9
Nao wakituambia hivi, Ngojeni, hata sisi tuwafikilie; ndipo tusimame pale pale mahali petu, tusiwapandie.
If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and will not go up to them.
10
Lakini wakisema hivi, Haya! Ninyi, tupandieni sisi; hapo ndipo tutakapopanda; kwa maana Bwana amewatia mikononi mwetu; na hii itakuwa ndiyo ishara kwetu.
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.”
11
Basi, hao wote wawili wakajidhihirisha mbele ya ngome ya Wafilisti, na wale Wafilisti wakasema, Kumbe! Wale Waebrania watoka katika mashimo walimojificha!
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!”
12
Nao watu wa ngomeni wakamjibu Yonathani na mchukua silaha zake, wakasema, Haya! Ninyi, pandeni juu hapa tulipo, na sisi tutawaonyesha jambo. Yonathani akamwambia yule aliyezichukua silaha, Haya! Panda nyuma yangu; kwa kuwa Bwana amewatia mikononi mwa Israeli.
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.”
13
Basi Yonathani akapanda kwa mikono na miguu yake, na mchukua silaha nyuma yake; na hao watu wakaanguka mbele ya Yonathani; na huyo mchukua silaha zake akawaua nyuma yake.
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.
14
Na uuaji huo wa kwanza walioufanya Yonathani na mchukua silaha zake, ulipata kama watu ishirini, katika nafasi kama nusu ya kiwanja kiwezacho kulimwa katika siku nzima.
In that first assault, Jonathan and his armor-bearer struck down about twenty men in about half an acre of land.
15
Kukawa na tetemeko katika marago, na katika mashamba, na katikati ya watu wote; watu wa ngomeni, na watekaji wa nyara, wakatetemeka nao; hata na nchi ikatetemeka pia; basi kulikuwa na tetemeko kubwa mno.
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.
16
Nao wale walinzi wa Sauli huko Gibea ya Benyamini wakaangalia, na tazama, mkutano ule ulikuwa ukitoweka, na watu walikuwa wakienda huko na huko.
Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction,
17
Ndipo Sauli akawaambia watu waliokuwa pamoja naye, Haya! Hesabuni sasa, mkaone ni nani aliyeondoka kwetu. Nao walipokwisha hesabu, tazama Yonathani na yeye aliyechukua silaha zake hawapo.
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.
18
Basi Sauli akamwambia Ahiya, Lilete hapa sanduku la Mungu. Kwa kuwa hilo sanduku la Mungu wakati huo lilikuwapo pamoja na wana wa Israeli
Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God.” (For at that time it was with the Israelites.)
19
Ikawa Sauli alipokuwa katika kusema na kuhani, hayo makelele katika marago ya Wafilisti yakaendelea na kuzidi; basi Sauli akamwambia kuhani, Rudisha mkono wako.
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.”
20
Naye Sauli na watu wote waliokuwapo pamoja naye wakakusanyika, wakaenda vitani; na tazama, huko upanga wa kila mtu ulikuwa juu ya mwenziwe, kukawa fujo tele kabisa.
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.
21
Basi na wale Waebrania waliokuwa pamoja na Wafilisti tangu zamani, wale waliopanda pamoja nao mpaka maragoni toka nchi iliyozunguka; watu hao nao wakageuka kuwa upande wa Waisraeli waliokuwa pamoja na Sauli na Yonathani.
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.
22
Na vile vile watu wote wa Israeli waliokuwa wamejificha katika nchi ya milima milima ya Efraimu, waliposikia ya kwamba Wafilisti wamekimbia, hata hao nao wakawafuatia mbio vitani.
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.
23
Hivyo Bwana akawaokoa Israeli siku ile; na vita vikapita mbele karibu na Beth-aveni. Wakati huo mbele ya wana wa Israeli.
So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven.
24
Nao watu wa Israeli walisumbuka sana siku ile; lakini Sauli alikuwa amewaapisha watu, akisema, Na alaaniwe mtu awaye yote alaye chakula cho chote hata jioni, nipate kujilipiza kisasi juu ya adui zangu. Basi hakuna mtu miongoni mwa watu aliyeonja chakula.
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.
25
Nao watu wote wakaingia mwituni; na humo mlikuwa na asali juu ya nchi.
Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.
26
Na hapo watu walipokwisha kuingia mwituni, tazama, hiyo asali ilikuwa ikidondoka; walakini hakuna mtu hata mmoja aliyetia mkono wake kinywani; kwa sababu hao watu walikuwa wakikiogopa kile kiapo.
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.
27
Ila Yonathani hakusikia, hapo babaye alipowaagiza watu kwa kiapo; basi yeye akainyosha ncha ya fimbo iliyokuwa mkononi mwake, na kuichovya katika sega la asali, kisha akatia mkono wake kinywani; na macho yake yakatiwa nuru.
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.
28
Ndipo mmojawapo wa watu akamjibu, akasema, Baba yako aliwaagiza watu sana kwa kiapo, akisema, Na alaaniwe mtu alaye chakula leo. Na hao watu walikuwa wamepungukiwa na nguvu.
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.”
29
Ndipo Yonathani akasema, Babangu ameifadhaisha nchi; tafadhali, angalia jinsi macho yangu yalivyotiwa nuru, kwa sababu nalionja asali hii kidogo.
“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.
30
Je! Si zaidi sana, kama watu wangalikula na kushiba leo katika nyara hizi za adui zao walizoziteka? Kwa maana haukuwa uuaji mkuu sasa katikati ya Wafilisti.
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?”
31
Nao wakawapiga watu miongoni mwa Wafilisti siku ile kutoka Mikmashi mpaka Ayaloni; na hao watu walikuwa wamepungukiwa sana na nguvu.
That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Michmash to Aijalon, the people were very faint.
32
Basi watu wakazirukia zile nyara, wakatwaa kondoo, na ng'ombe, na ndama, na kuwachinja papo hapo juu ya nchi, nao wale watu walikuwa wakiwala pamoja na damu.
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.
33
Ndipo wakamwambia Sauli, wakisema, Angalia, watu hao wanakosa juu ya Bwana, kwa jinsi wanavyokula pamoja na damu. Naye akasema, Ninyi mmefanya kwa hiana; vingirisheni kwangu leo jiwe kubwa.
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.”
34
Kisha Sauli akasema, Haya! Tawanyikeni katikati ya watu mkawaambie, Nileteeni hapa kila mtu ng'ombe wake, na kila mtu kondoo wake, mkawachinje hapa na kula; wala msikose juu ya Bwana, kwa kula pamoja na damu. Nao watu wote wakaleta kila mtu ng'ombe wake pamoja naye usiku ule, nao wakawachinja hapo.
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.
35
Naye Sauli akamjengea Bwana madhabahu; hiyo ndiyo madhabahu ya kwanza aliyomjengea Bwana.
Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.
36
Kisha Sauli akasema, Haya! Na tushuke kuwafuata Wafilisti wakati wa usiku, na kuwateka nyara hata mapambazuko, wala tusiwaache hata mmoja wao. Nao wakamjibu, Fanya yo yote uyaonayo kuwa ni mema. Ndipo yule kuhani akasema, Na tumkaribie Mungu hapa.
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.”
37
Basi Sauli akataka shauri kwa Mungu, Je! Nishuke ili kuwafuatia Wafilisti? Je! Utawatia mikononi mwa Israeli? Lakini hakumjibu neno lo lote siku ile.
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.
38
Ndipo Sauli akasema, Karibieni hapa, enyi wakuu wote wa watu; mjue na kuona dhambi hii ya leo imekuwa katika kosa gani.
Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.
39
Kwa maana, aishivyo Bwana, awaokoaye Israeli, ijapokuwa i katika Yonathani, mwanangu, kufa atakufa. Lakini miongoni mwa watu wote hakuna mtu ye yote aliyemjibu.
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.
40
Ndipo akawaambia Israeli wote, Ninyi mtakuwa upande mmoja, na mimi na mwanangu Yonathani tutakuwa upande wa pili. Basi wakamwambia Sauli, Fanya uonayo kuwa ni mema.
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.
41
Kwa hiyo Sauli akamwambia Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, [Kwani usimjibu mtumishi wako leo? Ikiwa dhambi i ndani yangu, au ndani yake Yonathani mwanangu, Ee Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, utoe Urimu; bali ukisema hivi, Dhambi i katika watu wako Israeli,] utoe Thumimu ,Basi Yonathani na Sauli wakatwaliwa,lakini watu wakapona.
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.
42
Basi Sauli akasema, Sasa piga kati ya mimi na mwanangu Yonathani, [naye awaye yote ambaye Bwana atamtwaa, atakufa. Nao watu wakamwambia Sauli, La! Sivyo hivyo; lakini Sauli akawaweza watu. Nao wakapiga kati ya yeye na mwanawe Yonathani,]
Then Saul said, “Cast the lot between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected.
43
Ndipo Sauli akamwambia Yonathani, Niambie ulilolifanya. Basi Yonathani akamwambia, akasema, Ni kweli, mimi nalionja asali kidogo kwa ncha ya fimbo ile iliyokuwa mkononi mwangu; na tazama, imenipasa kufa.
“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?”
44
Naye Sauli akasema, Mungu anifanyie hivi, na kuzidi; kwa kuwa hakika utakufa, Yonathani.
And Saul declared, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if you, Jonathan, do not surely die!”
45
Walakini watu wakamwambia Sauli, Je! Atakufa Yonathani, ambaye ndiye aliyeufanya huo wokovu mkuu katika Israeli? Hasha! Aishivyo Bwana, hautaanguka chini hata unywele mmoja wa kichwa chake; kwa maana ametenda kazi pamoja na Mungu leo. Hivyo hao watu wakamponya Yonathani, asife.
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.
46
Ndipo Sauli akakwea kuacha kuwafuata Wafilisti; nao Wafilisti wakaenda zao kwao.
Then Saul gave up his pursuit of the Philistines, and the Philistines returned to their own land.
47
Basi Sauli alipokwisha kuutwaa ufalme juu ya Israeli, alipigana na adui zake zote pande zote, juu ya Moabu, na juu ya wana wa Amoni, na juu ya Edomu, na juu ya wafalme wa Soba, na juu ya Wafilisti; na po pote alipogeukia, akawashinda.
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.
48
Naye akatenda kwa ushujaa, akawapiga Waamaleki, na kuwaokoa Waisraeli katika mikono yao waliowateka nyara.
He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.
49
Basi, wana wa Sauli walikuwa ni hawa, Yonathani, na Ishvi, na Malkishua; na majina ya binti zake wawili yalikuwa haya; jina lake wa kwanza aliitwa Merabu, na jina lake mdogo aliitwa Mikali;
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter).
50
na jina lake mkewe Sauli aliitwa Ahinoamu, binti Ahimaasi. Tena, jina la jemadari wa jeshi lake aliitwa Abneri, mwana wa Neri, aliyekuwa baba mdogo wa Sauli.
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.
51
Na Kishi, babaye Sauli, na Neri, babaye Abneri, walikuwa wana wa Abieli.
Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel.
52
Tena, kulikuwa na vita vikali sana juu ya Wafilisti siku zote za Sauli, naye Sauli alipomwona mtu ye yote aliyekuwa hodari, au mtu ye yote aliyekuwa shujaa, humtwaa ili awe pamoja naye.
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.