1
Basi hao Wazifi wakamwendea Sauli huko Gibea, wakasema, Je! Yule Daudi hakujificha katika kilima cha Hakila, kuelekea Yeshimoni?
Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?”
2
Basi Sauli akaondoka, akashuka nyikani kwa Zifu, naye alikuwa na watu elfu tatu, wateule wa Israeli, pamoja naye, ili kumtafuta Daudi katika nyika ya Zifu.
So Saul, accompanied by three thousand chosen men of Israel, went down to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there.
3
Naye Sauli akapiga hema katika kilima cha Hakila, kilichoelekea Yeshimoni, barabarani; lakini Daudi alikuwa akikaa nyikani, akaona ya kwamba Sauli amemfuata mpaka nyikani.
Saul camped beside the road at the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon, but David was living in the wilderness. When he realized that Saul had followed him there,
4
Basi Daudi akatuma wapelelezi, akapata habari ya hakika ya kwamba Sauli amefika.
David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived.
5
Daudi akainuka, akafika mahali pale alipotua Sauli; Daudi akapaangalia mahali alipolala Sauli, na Abneri, mwana wa Neri, jemadari wa jeshi lake; naye Sauli alikuwa amelala kati ya magari, na hao watu wamepiga hema zao wakimzunguka.
Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp, with the troops camped around him.
6
Ndipo Daudi akajibu, akamwambia Ahimeleki, Mhiti, na Abishai, mwana wa Seruya, ndugu yake Yoabu, akisema, Ni nani atakayeshuka pamoja nami kwa Sauli kambini? Abishai akasema, Mimi nitashuka pamoja nawe.
And David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” “I will go with you,” answered Abishai.
7
Basi Daudi na Abishai wakawaendea watu usiku; na tazama, Sauli alikuwapo kati ya magari amelala usingizi, na fumo lake limechomekwa chini, karibu na kichwa chake; naye Abneri na watu wake wamelala wakimzunguka.
That night David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the troops were lying around him.
8
Ndipo Abishai akamwambia Daudi, Mungu amemtia adui yako mikononi mwako leo; basi, niache nimpige kwa hilo fumo hata nchi kwa pigo moja, sitampiga mara ya pili.
Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now, therefore, please let me thrust the spear through him into the ground with one stroke. I will not need to strike him twice!”
9
Lakini Daudi akamwambia Abishai, Usimwangamize; kwani ni nani awezaye kuunyosha mkono wake juu ya masihi
But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”
10
Daudi akasema, Aishivyo Bwana, Bwana atampiga; au siku yake ya kufa itampata; atashuka kwenda vitani na kupotea.
David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.
11
Hasha! Nisiunyoshe mkono wangu juu ya masihi
But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”
12
Basi Daudi akalitwaa lile fumo, na lile gudulia la maji, kichwani pa Sauli; nao wakaenda zao, wala hapana mtu aliyeliona jambo hili wala kulijua, wala kuamka; maana wote walikuwa wamelala; kwa kuwa usingizi mzito kutoka kwa Bwana umewaangukia.
So David took the spear and water jug by Saul’s head, and they departed. No one saw them or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up; they all remained asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.
13
Kisha Daudi akaenda ng'ambo ya pili, akasimama juu ya kilima, mbali sana; palipokuwapo nafasi tele katikati yao;
Then David crossed to the other side and stood atop the mountain at a distance; there was a wide gulf between them.
14
naye Daudi akawapigia kelele watu wale, na Abneri, mwana wa Neri, akasema, Abneri, hujibu? Ndipo Abneri akajibu, akasema, U nani wewe unayemlilia mfalme?
And David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer me, Abner?” “Who are you who calls to the king?” Abner replied.
15
Naye Daudi akamwambia Abneri, Wewe si mtu shujaa? Tena ni nani aliye sawa na wewe katika Israeli? Mbona, basi, hukumlinda bwana wako, huyo mfalme? Kwa maana mtu mmoja aliingia ili amwangamize mfalme, bwana wako?
So David said to Abner, “You are a man, aren’t you? And who in Israel is your equal? Why then did you not protect your lord the king when one of the people came to destroy him?
16
Jambo hili ulilolitenda si jema. Aishivyo Bwana, mmestahili kufa, kwa sababu hamkumlinda bwana wenu, masihi*fq* wa Bwana. Haya basi! Tazameni, liko wapi fumo la mfalme, na gudulia la maji lililokuwa kichwani pake?
This thing you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, all of you deserve to die, since you did not protect your lord, the LORD’s anointed. Now look around. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were by his head?”
17
Naye Sauli akaitambua sauti ya Daudi, akasema, Hii ndiyo sauti yako, Daudi, mwanangu? Daudi akasema, Ndiyo, ni sauti yangu, bwana wangu, mfalme.
Then Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” “It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said.
18
Akasema, Bwana wangu ananiwinda mimi mtumishi wake kwa sababu gani? Nimefanya nini mimi? Ni uovu gani nilio nao mkononi mwangu?
And he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand?
19
Basi sasa, nakusihi, bwana wangu, mfalme, na asikie maneno ya mtumishi wake. Ikiwa ni Bwana aliyekuondokesha juu yangu, na akubali sadaka; bali ikiwa ni wanadamu, na walaaniwe mbele za Bwana; kwa sababu wamenifukuza leo, nisishikamane na urithi wa Bwana, wakisema, Enenda, katumikie miungu mingine.
Now please, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then may He accept an offering. But if men have done it, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD! For today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’
20
Basi sasa, isianguke damu yangu chini mbali na uso wa Bwana; maana mfalme wa Israeli ametoka ili kutafuta uhai wangu, kama vile mtu awindavyo kware mlimani.
So do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. For the king of Israel has come out to look for a flea, like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
21
Ndipo Sauli akasema, Nimekosa; rudi, Daudi, mwanangu; maana sitakudhuru tena, kwa kuwa maisha yangu yalikuwa na thamani machoni pako leo; angalia, nimetenda upumbavu, nimekosa sana.
Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!”
22
Daudi akajibu, akasema, Litazame fumo hili, Ee mfalme! Kijana mmoja na avukie huku, alitwae.
“Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of the young men come over and get it.
23
Naye Bwana atamlipa kila mtu haki yake, na uaminifu wake; maana Bwana amekutia mikononi mwangu leo, nami nalikataa kuunyosha mkono wangu juu ya masihi wa BWANA.
May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. For the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed.
24
Tena, angalia, kama vile maisha yako yalivyokuwa na thamani machoni pangu, kadhalika na maisha yangu na yawe na thamani machoni pa Bwana, akaniokoe katika shida zote.
As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and rescue me from all trouble.”
25
Ndipo Sauli akamwambia Daudi, Ubarikiwe, Daudi, mwanangu; utatenda mambo makuu, tena hakika yako utashinda. Basi, Daudi akaenda zake; Sauli naye akarudi kwao.
Saul said to him, “May you be blessed, David my son. You will accomplish great things and will surely prevail.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.