\NormalFont\ShortTitle{1 USamuyeli}

{\MTB Ugwalo Lwakuqala

\par }{\MT LukaSamuyeli



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH Ukuzalwa KukaSamuyeli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwakulendoda ethile yaseRamathayimi, umZufi owayevela elizweni lamaqaqa elako-Efrayimi, ibizo layo lalingu-Elikhana indodana kaJerohamu, indodana ka-Elihu, indodana kaThohu, indodana kaZufi, umʼEfrayimi.

\VS{2}Wayelabafazi ababili; omunye wayethiwa nguHana omunye enguPhenina. UPhenina wayelabantwana kodwa uHana engelabo.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Ngeminyaka yonke indoda le yayisuka emzini wakibo isiyakhonza, inikela lomhlatshelo
{\ND{kuThixo}} uSomandla eShilo, lapho uHofini loFinehasi, amadodana amabili ka-Eli, ababengabaphristi
{\ND{bakaThixo}} khona.

\VS{4}Kwakusithi kungafika isikhathi sokuthi u-Elikhana anikele umhlatshelo, wayenika umkakhe uPhenina lawo wonke amadodana lamadodakazi akhe izabelo zenyama.

\VS{5}Kodwa uHana wayemnika isabelo esiphindwe kabili ngoba wayemthanda, kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} wayesivalile isibeletho sakhe.

\VS{6}Njalo ngenxa yokuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} wayesivalile isibeletho sakhe, unyanewabo wayehlala emgolomba ukuze amcaphule.

\VS{7}Lokhu kwaqhubeka iminyaka yonke. Ngezikhathi zonke lapho uHana eye endlini
{\ND{kaThixo}}, unyanewabo wayemgolomba aze akhale njalo ehluleke lokudla.

\VS{8}U-Elikhana umkakhe, wayesithi kuye, “Hana, ukhalelani na? Kungani ungadli na? Kungani udanile? Kuwe angiqakathekanga ukwedlula amadodana alitshumi na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kwake kwathi sebeqede ukudla lokunatha eShilo, uHana wasukuma. Ngalesosikhathi u-Eli umphristi wayehlezi esihlalweni phansi kwensika yomnyango wethempeli
{\ND{likaThixo}}.

\VS{10}Ngobuhlungu bomoya uHana wakhala kakhulu njalo wakhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}}.

\VS{11}Wafunga esithi, “Awu,
{\ND{Thixo}} Somandla, nxa ungakhangela nje usizi lwencekukazi yakho ungikhumbule, njalo ungayikhohlwa incekukazi yakho kodwa uyiphe indodana, lapho-ke ngizayinika
{\ND{uThixo}} okwensuku zonke zokuphila kwayo, njalo akulampuco ezasetshenziswe ekhanda layo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Ekuqhubekeni kwakhe uHana ekhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}}, u-Eli wananzelela umlomo wakhe.

\VS{13}UHana wayekhulekela enhliziyweni yakhe, izindebe zakhe zinyikinyeka kodwa ilizwi lakhe lingezwakali. U-Eli wacabanga ukuthi wayedakiwe,

\VS{14}ngakho wathi kuye, “Koze kube nini ulokhu udakwa na? Yekela iwayini lakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}“Akunjalo nkosi yami,” uHana waphendula. “Ngingowesifazane ohlupheke kakhulu. Kangizange nginathe iwayini kumbe utshwala. Kade ngisethula umphefumulo wami
{\ND{kuThixo}}.

\VS{16}Ungathathi incekukazi yakho njengowesifazane ogangileyo; kade ngikhuleka lapha ngenxa yosizi lwami olukhulu kanye lobuhlungu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}U-Eli waphendula wathi, “Hamba ngokuthula, sengathi uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli angakupha lokho okucele kuye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}UHana wathi, “Sengathi incekukazi yakho ingathola umusa emehlweni akho.” Lapho-ke wasuka wahamba, wadla, njalo ubuso bakhe babungasadananga.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Ekuseni okwalandelayo bavuka bayakhonza phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} basebebuyela emzini wabo eRama. U-Elikhana walala loHana umkakhe,
{\ND{uThixo}} wamkhumbula.

\VS{20}Ngakho ngokuhamba kwesikhathi uHana wathatha isisu wazala indodana. Wayetha ibizo wathi nguSamuyeli, esithi, “Ngoba ngamcela
{\ND{kuThixo}}.”


\par }{\SH UHana Unikela USamuyeli
\par }
{\PP \VS{21}Kwathi lapho u-Elikhana ehamba labendlu yakhe bonke ukuyanikela umhlatshelo weminyaka yonke
{\ND{kuThixo}} lokugcwalisa isifungo sakhe,

\VS{22}uHana kahambanga. Wathi kumkakhe, “Emva kokuba umfana eselunyulwe, ngizamthatha ngiyemethula phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}, njalo uzahlala khona kokuphela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}U-Elikhana umkakhe wathi kuye, “Yenza lokho okukhanya kukuhle kuwe. Hlala khonapho uze umkhuphe ebeleni; kuphela nje sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angagcwalisa ilizwi lakhe.” Ngakho owesifazane wahlala ekhaya wondla indodana yakhe waze wayilumula.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Emva kokuba esekhutshiwe ebeleni, wahamba lomfana, emncane enjalo kanye lenkunzi eyayileminyaka emithathu ubudala, lehefa lempuphu yengqoloyi kanye lembodlela yewayini, wamusa endlini
{\ND{kaThixo}} eShilo.

\VS{25}Kwathi inkunzi sebeyihlabile, bamhambisa umfana ku-Eli,

\VS{26}uHana wasesithi kuye, “Ngeqiniso elinjengoba ukhona, nkosi yami, mina ngingulowana umfazi owema phansi kwakho ekhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}}.

\VS{27}Ngakhulekela umntwana lo, njalo
{\ND{uThixo}} usengiphile engakucelayo.

\VS{28}Ngakho khathesi sengimnika
{\ND{uThixo}}. Uzanikwa
{\ND{uThixo}} impilo yakhe yonke.” Wakhonza
{\ND{uThixo}} khonapho.




\par }\Chap{2}{\SH Umkhuleko KaHana
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UHana wasekhuleka esithi:

\par }{\Q “Inhliziyo yami iyathokoza
{\ND{kuThixo}};

\par }{\QB {\ND{kuThixo}} uphondo lwami luphakeme.

\par }{\Q Umlomo wami uyaziklolodela izitha zami,

\par }{\QB ngoba ngiyathokoza ekusindiseni kwakho.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}Kakho ongcwele
{\ND{njengoThixo}};

\par }{\QB kakho omunye ngaphandle kwakho;

\par }{\QB akulaDwala elinjengo-Nkulunkulu wethu.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Lingabe lisakhuluma ngokuzigqaja kanje

\par }{\QB loba uyekele umlomo wakho ukhuluma ukuzikhukhumeza okunje,

\par }{\Q ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} unguNkulunkulu owaziyo,

\par }{\QB njalo izenzo zilinganiswa nguye.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}Amadandili amabutho ephukile,

\par }{\QB kodwa labo abakhubekayo bahlonyiswe ngamandla.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Labo ababesuthi baziqhatshisa ngokudla,

\par }{\QB kodwa labo ababelambile kabalambi futhi.

\par }{\Q Lowo owayeyinyumbakazi usezele abantwana abayisikhombisa,

\par }{\QB kodwa lowo owayelamadodana amanengi uyacikizeka.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}{\ND{Uthixo}} uletha ukufa njalo enze ukuphila,

\par }{\QB wehlisela phansi engcwabeni njalo avuse.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}{\ND{Uthixo}} uthumela ubuyanga kanye lenotho;

\par }{\QB uyathobekisa njalo uyaphakamisa.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Uvusa abayanga ethulini

\par }{\QB aphakamise abaswelayo esilotheni;

\par }{\Q abahlalise lamakhosana.

\par }{\QB Enze bathole isihlalo sodumo sibe yilifa labo.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q Ngoba izisekelo zomhlaba
{\ND{ngezikaThixo}};

\par }{\QB umise umhlaba phezu kwazo.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Uzalondoloza inyawo zabathembekileyo bakhe,

\par }{\QB kodwa ababi bazathuliselwa emnyameni.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q Akusikho ngamandla ukuthi umuntu ehlule;


\par }{\QB \VS{10}labo abaphikisa
{\ND{uThixo}} bazaphahlazwa.

\par }{\Q OPhezukonke uzaduma amelane labo esezulwini;

\par }{\QB {\ND{uThixo}} uzakwahlulela imikhawulo yomhlaba.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q Uzayinika amandla inkosi yakhe

\par }{\QB aphakamise lophondo logcotshiweyo wakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Emva kwalokho u-Elikhana wabuyela ekhaya eRama, kodwa umfana wakhonza phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} ngaphansi kuka-Eli umphristi.


\par }{\SH Amadodana Ka-Eli Axhwalileyo
\par }
{\PP \VS{12}Amadodana ka-Eli ayengabantu abaxhwalileyo, ayengamnanzi
{\ND{uThixo}}.

\VS{13}Kwakungumkhuba wabaphristi labantu ukuthi kokuphela nxa loba ngubani enikele umhlatshelo, njalo lapho inyama isaphekwa, inceku yomphristi yayisiza iphethe ifologwe elencijo ezintathu.

\VS{14}Yayihlaba ngayo epaneni loba egedleleni loba ebhodweni kumbe embizeni, umphristi abe esezithathela loba kuyini okuphume lefologwe. Le yiyo indlela abaphatha ngayo bonke abako-Israyeli abafika eShilo.

\VS{15}Kodwa lalapho amahwahwa engakatshi, inceku yomphristi yayisiya emuntwini onikelayo ithi, “Nika umphristi inyama yokosa; kasoze ayamukele kuwe inyama ephekiweyo, kodwa eluhlaza kuphela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Lapho umuntu ethe kuyo, “Yekela amahwahwa aqale atshe, ube usuthathake lokho okufunayo,” inceku yayiphendula ithi, “Hatshi, ngiqhubela yona khathesi; nxa ungenzi njalo, ngizayihluthuna ngamandla.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Lesisono samajaha sasisikhulu kakhulu emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}}, ngoba babephatha umnikelo
{\ND{kaThixo}} ngokwedelela.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Kodwa uSamuyeli wayekhonza phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} engumfana egqoka isembatho samahlombe selineni.

\VS{19}Minyaka yonke unina wayemenzela ingubo encane ayise kuye lapho esiya khonale lomkakhe ukuyanikela umhlatshelo weminyaka yonke.

\VS{20}U-Eli wayebusisa u-Elikhana lomkakhe, esithi, “Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angalipha abantwana ngalo owesifazane ukuba bathathe isikhundla salowo amkhulekelayo wasemnika
{\ND{uThixo}}.” Emva kwalokho babebuyela ekhaya.

\VS{21}{\ND{Uthixo}} waba lomusa kuHana; wakhulelwa wazala amadodana amathathu lamadodakazi amabili. Kusenjalo, umfana uSamuyeli wakhula phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Ngalesosikhathi u-Eli, owayesemdala kakhulu, wezwa ngakho konke okwakusenziwa ngamadodana akhe ku-Israyeli wonke kanye lokuthi ayelala njani labesifazane ababesebenza esangweni lethente lokuhlangana.

\VS{23}Ngakho wathi kuwo, “Kungani lisenza izinto ezinje na? Ngizizwa ngabantu bonke lezizenzo zenu ezimbi.

\VS{24}Hatshi, madodana ami; akusimbiko omuhle engiwuzwa usanda phakathi kwabantu
{\ND{bakaThixo}}.

\VS{25}Nxa umuntu esona komunye umuntu, uNkulunkulu angaba ngumeli wakhe kodwa nxa umuntu esona
{\ND{kuThixo}}, ngubani ongamkhulumela na?” Kodwa amadodana akhe kawakulalelanga ukukhuza kukayise, ngoba kwakuyisifiso
{\ND{sikaThixo}} ukuba awabulale.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Umfana uSamuyeli waqhubeka ekhula ngomzimba langokuthandeka
{\ND{kuThixo}} lasebantwini.


\par }{\SH Isiphrofethi Esibi Ngendlu Ka-Eli
\par }
{\PP \VS{27}Ngalesosikhathi umuntu kaNkulunkulu wafika ku-Eli wathi kuye, “Nanku okutshiwo
{\ND{nguThixo}} ukuthi: ‘Kangizibonakalisanga ngokubalulekileyo endlini kayihlo lapho babeseGibhithe ngaphansi kukaFaro na?

\VS{28}Ngakhetha uyihlo phakathi kwezizwana zonke zako-Israyeli ukuba abe ngumphristi wami, ukuba aye e-alithareni lami, ukuba atshise impepha, lokuba agqoke isembatho samahlombe phambi kwami. Njalo nganika indlu kayihlo yonke iminikelo eyenziwa ngomlilo ngabako-Israyeli.

\VS{29}Pho kungani useyisa imihlatshelo yami kanye leminikelo engayiphawulela indlu yami yokuhlala na? Kungani uhlonipha amadodana akho okudlula mina ngokuzikhuluphalisa lina ngokwenu ngezingxenye zekhethelo zeminikelo yonke eyenziwa ngabantu bako-Israyeli na?’


\par }{\PP \VS{30}Ngakho-ke
{\ND{uThixo}}, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi, ‘Ngathembisa ukuthi indlu yakho lendlu kayihlo zizakhonza phambi kwami nini lanini.’ Kodwa khathesi
{\ND{uThixo}} uthi, ‘Akusenjalo kimi!’ Labo abangihloniphayo ngizabahlonipha, kodwa labo abangeyisayo bazakweyiswa.

\VS{31}Isikhathi siyeza lapho engizaphungula khona amandla akho lamandla endlu kayihlo, ukuze kungabi lomuntu omdala kusendo lwakwenu

\VS{32}njalo uzabona usizi lapho engihlala khona. Lanxa okuhle kuzakwenziwa ku-Israyeli, kwabosendo lwakho akuyikuba lomuntu omdala.

\VS{33}Lowo lalowo wakini engingayikumsusa e-alithareni lami uzayekelwa nje ukuba amehlo akhe afiphale lokuba azwise inhliziyo yakho ubuhlungu, njalo yonke inzalo yakho izakufa kuyikhona isephakathi kwempilo.


\par }{\PP \VS{34}‘Njalo okwenzakala emadodaneni akho amabili, uHofini loFinehasi, kuzakuba yisiboniso kuwe, bobabili bazakufa langa linye.

\VS{35}Ngizakuzimisela umphristi othembekileyo ozakwenza mayelana lokusenhliziyweni yami lengqondweni yami. Ngizamisa indlu yakhe iqine, njalo uzakhonza phambi kogcotshiweyo wami kokuphela.

\VS{36}Lapho-ke bonke abosendo lwakho abaseleyo bazakuza bakhothame kuye becela uhlamvu lwesiliva loqweqwe lwesinkwa njalo bakhalaze besithi, “Ake ungibeke kwesinye isikhundla sobuphristi ukuze ngithole ukudla ngidle.” ’ ”




\par }\Chap{3}{\SH {\ND{Uthixo}} Ubiza USamuyeli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Umfana uSamuyeli wakhonza phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} engaphansi kuka-Eli. Ngalezonsuku ilizwi
{\ND{likaThixo}} lalingandanga; kwakungelamibono eminengi.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Ngobunye ubusuku u-Eli, amehlo akhe ayesefiphala esebona kalufifi, wayelele endaweni yakhe yansuku zonke.

\VS{3}Isibane sikaNkulunkulu sasingakacitshi, njalo uSamuyeli wayelele phansi ethempelini
{\ND{likaThixo}}, lapho okwakulebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu khona.

\VS{4}{\ND{Uthixo}} wasembiza uSamuyeli.

\par }{\PP USamuyeli wasabela wathi, “Ngilapha.”

\VS{5}Wagijimela ku-Eli wathi, “Ngilapha; ungibizile.”

\par }{\PP Kodwa u-Eli wathi, “Angikubizanga; buyela uyelala.” Ngakho wabuyela wayalala.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}{\ND{Uthixo}} wambiza futhi wathi, “Samuyeli!” USamuyeli wavuka waya ku-Eli wathi, “Ngilapha; ungibizile.”

\par }{\PP U-Eli wathi, “Ndodana yami, Angikubizanga; buyela uyelala.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Ngalesosikhathi uSamuyeli wayengakamazi
{\ND{uThixo}}: Ilizwi
{\ND{likaThixo}} lalingakavezwa kuye.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}{\ND{Uthixo}} wambiza uSamuyeli okwesithathu, njalo uSamuyeli wavuka waya ku-Eli wathi, “Ngilapha; ungibizile.”

\par }{\PP Lapho-ke u-Eli wabona ukuthi
{\ND{nguThixo}} owayebiza umfana.

\VS{9}Ngakho u-Eli watshela uSamuyeli wathi, “Hamba uyelala, njalo nxa ekubiza wena uthi, ‘Khuluma
{\ND{Thixo}}, ngoba inceku yakho ilalele.’ ” Ngakho uSamuyeli wahamba wayalala endaweni yakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}{\ND{Uthixo}} weza wema khonapho, ebiza njengakuqala esithi, “Samuyeli! Samuyeli!”

\par }{\PP USamuyeli wathi, “Khuluma, ngoba inceku yakho ilalele.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}{\ND{Uthixo}} wasesithi kuSamuyeli, “Khangela, sekuseduze ukuba ko-Israyeli ngenze into ezakwenza indlebe zomuntu wonke okuzwayo lokho zincencethe.

\VS{12}Ngalesosikhathi ngizamelana lo-Eli, ngenze konke engakukhuluma mayelana lendlu yakhe kusukela ekuqaleni kusiya ekucineni.

\VS{13}Ngoba ngamtshela ukuthi ngizakwahlulela indlu yakhe okulaphakade ngenxa yesono ayesazi; amadodana akhe ayehlambaza uNkulunkulu, yena wehluleka ukuwakhuza.

\VS{14}Ngakho, ngayifungela indlu ka-Eli ngathi, ‘Icala lendlu ka-Eli kaliyikuhlawulwa ngomhlatshelo loba ngomnikelo.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}USamuyeli walala phansi kwaze kwaba sekuseni wasevula iminyango yendlu
{\ND{kaThixo}}. Wayesesaba ukutshela u-Eli umbono,

\VS{16}kodwa u-Eli wambiza wathi, “Samuyeli, ndodana yami.”

\par }{\PP USamuyeli wasabela wathi, “Ngilapha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}U-Eli wabuza wathi, “Kuyini akutshiloyo kuwe na? Ungangifihleli. Sengathi uNkulunkulu angakujezisa, kube buhlungu kakhulu, nxa uzangifihlela loba kuyini akutshele khona.”

\VS{18}Ngakho uSamuyeli wamtshela konke, engamfihlelanga lutho. U-Eli wasesithi, “{\ND{UnguThixo}}; kenze lokho akubona kukuhle emehlweni akhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}{\ND{Uthixo}} wayeloSamuyeli ekukhuleni kwakhe, njalo kayekelanga lalinye lamazwi akhe liwela phansi.

\VS{20}Njalo u-Israyeli wonke kusukela eDani kusiya eBherishebha wakwazi ukuthi uSamuyeli wayebekwe ukuba ngumphrofethi
{\ND{kaThixo}}.

\VS{21}{\ND{Uthixo}} waqhubeka ebonakala eShilo, njalo khonapho waziveza kuSamuyeli ngelizwi lakhe.




\par }\Chap{4}{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ilizwi likaSamuyeli lafika ku-Israyeli wonke.

\par }{\SH AmaFilistiya Athumba Ibhokisi Lesivumelwano
\par }
{\PP Ngalesosikhathi abako-Israyeli baphuma ukuyakulwa lamaFilistiya. Abako-Israyeli bamisa e-Ebhenezeri, amaFilistiya e-Afekhi.

\VS{2}AmaFilistiya ahlela amabutho awo ukuba ayohlangana labako-Israyeli, kwathi ekumemethekeni kwempi, u-Israyeli wehlulwa ngamaFilistiya, abulala abaphosa babe zinkulungwane ezine enkundleni yokulwela.

\VS{3}Kwathi esebuyele ezihonqweni, abadala bako-Israyeli bathi, “Kungani
{\ND{uThixo}} esilethele ukwehlulwa lamhla phambi kwamaFilistiya na? Kasiyenithatha ibhokisi lesivumelwano sika
{\ND{Thixo}} eShilo, ukuze lihambe lathi lisisindise esandleni sezitha zethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ngakho abantu bathuma amadoda eShilo, abuya lebhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} uSomandla, ehlezi ebukhosini phakathi kwamakherubhi. Lamadodana ka-Eli amabili, uHofini loFinehasi, ayekhona lebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Kwathi lapho ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} lifika ezihonqweni, wonke u-Israyeli wenza umsindo omkhulu iphansi laze lanyikinyeka.

\VS{6}Esizwa ukuxokozela amaFilistiya abuza athi, “Utshoni umsindo wonke lo ezihonqweni zamaHebheru na?”

\par }{\PP Kwathi esezwile ukuthi ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} laselikhona ezihonqweni,

\VS{7}amaFilistiya esaba. Athi, “Unkulunkulu usefikile ezihonqweni. Siphakathi kohlupho. Akulanto enje eseyake yenzakala ngaphambili.

\VS{8}Maye kithi! Ngubani ozasikhulula esandleni sabonkulunkulu laba abalamandla abatshaya amaGibhithe ngenhlobo zonke zezifo enkangala?

\VS{9}Qinani, maFilistiya! Wobani ngamadoda hlezi libe yizichaka zamaHebheru, njengalokhu ababeyikho kini. Wobani ngamadoda, lilwe!”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Ngakho amaFilistiya alwa, abako-Israyeli behlulwa njalo amadoda wonke abalekela emathenteni awo. Ababulawayo babebanengi kakhulu; u-Israyeli walahlekelwa ngamabutho ezinyawo azinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amathathu.

\VS{11}Ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu lathunjwa, lamadodana amabili ka-Eli, Hofini loFinehasi, afa.


\par }{\SH Ukufa Kuka-Eli
\par }
{\PP \VS{12}Ngalelolanga umuntu wakoBhenjamini wagijima esuka empini waya eShilo, izigqoko zakhe zazidabukile elothuli ekhanda.

\VS{13}Ekufikeni kwakhe, kwakulo-Eli ehlezi esihlalweni eceleni komgwaqo, elindile, ngoba inhliziyo yakhe yayisesabela ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu. Kwathi umuntu lowo esengenile emzini wabika okwasekwenzakele, umuzi wonke waqhinqa isililo.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}U-Eli wezwa umsindo wokukhala wabuza wathi, “Ukuxokozela lokhu kutshoni na?”

\par }{\PP Umuntu lowo watshitshela ku-Eli,

\VS{15}owayeleminyaka engamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye munye lasificaminwembili mibili ubudala, njalo amehlo akhe ayesefiphele, engasaboni.

\VS{16}Watshela u-Eli wathi, “Ngisanda kufika ngivela empini; ngibalekile kuyo ngalonaleli ilanga.”

\par }{\PP U-Eli wabuza wathi, “Kutheni ndodana yami?”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Umuntu owaletha umbiko waphendula wathi, “U-Israyeli ubalekile phambi kwamaFilistiya njalo ibutho lilahlekelwe kakhulu. Njalo lamadodana akho amabili, uHofini loFinehasi, afile njalo lebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu lithunjiwe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Kwathi esethinte ngebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu, u-Eli wawa ngesiphundu esihlalweni sakhe eceleni kwesango. Intamo yakhe yephuka, wafa, ngoba wayesengumuntu omdala njalo emkhulu. Wayekhokhele u-Israyeli iminyaka engamatshumi amane.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Umalukazana wakhe, umkaFinehasi, wayekhulelwe njalo esezabeletha. Kwathi esizwa izindaba zokuthi ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu lalithunjiwe lokuthi uyisezala lomkakhe basebefile, wahelelwa wabeletha, kodwa wakhulelwa yibuhlungu bomhelo wakhe.

\VS{20}Esesifa, abesifazane ababembelethisa bathi kuye, “Ungalahli ithemba; uzele indodana.” Kodwa yena kaphendulanga loba anake.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Wametha ibizo umfana wathi ngu-Ikhabhodi, esithi, “Udumo lusukile ko-Israyeli” ngenxa yokuthunjwa kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu lokufa kukayisezala kanye lomkakhe.

\VS{22}Wathi, “Udumo lusukile ko-Israyeli, ngoba ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu lithunjiwe.”




\par }\Chap{5}{\SH Ibhokisi Lesivumelwano E-Ashidodi Kanye Le-Ekroni
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Emva kokuba amaFilistiya esethumbe ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu, alithatha e-Ebhenezeri alisa e-Ashidodi.

\VS{2}Aphinda alithwala alisa ethempelini likaDagoni.

\VS{3}Kwathi abantu base-Ashidodi bevuka ekuseni kakhulu okwalandelayo, nango uDagoni, ewele phansi ngobuso phambi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}}! Bamthatha uDagoni bambeka endaweni yakhe.

\VS{4}Kodwa ngakusasa ekuseni bathi bevuka, nango uDagoni, ewele phansi ngobuso phambi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}}! Ikhanda lakhe lezandla kwakugumukile kuthe qekele eduze lomnyango; kwakusele umzimba wakhe kuphela.

\VS{5}Ngalokho-ke kuze kube lamhla abaphristi bakaDagoni labanye nje abangena ethempelini likaDagoni kabanyatheli ekuqaliseni komnyango.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Isandla
{\ND{sikaThixo}} sasinzima phezu kwabantu base-Ashidodi laseduze kwayo; wehlisela incithakalo phezu kwabo yabahlupha langamathumba.

\VS{7}Kwathi abantu base-Ashidodi bebona okwakusenzakala, bathi, “Ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikankulunkulu ka-Israyeli akumelanga lihlale lathi lapha, ngoba isandla sakhe sinzima phezu kwethu laphezu kukaDagoni unkulunkulu wethu.”

\VS{8}Ngakho babiza bonke ababusi bamaFilistiya bababuza bathi, “Sizakwenzani ngebhokisi lesivumelwano sikankulunkulu ka-Israyeli na?”

\par }{\PP Baphendula bathi, “Ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikankulunkulu ka-Israyeli liseni eGathi.” Ngakho ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu balisa eGathi.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kodwa kwathi sebelihambisile, isandla
{\ND{sikaThixo}} samelana lalelodolobho, okwenza kwaba lokuthuthumela okukhulu kulo. Wahlupha abantu bedolobho lelo, abatsha labadala, ngokuphihlika kwamathumba.

\VS{10}Ngakho ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu lasiwa e-Ekroni.

\par }{\PP Kwathi ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu lifika e-Ekroni, abantu base-Ekroni bakhala besithi, “Sebelethe ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikankulunkulu ka-Israyeli kithi lapha ukuzasibulala kanye labantu bakithi.”

\VS{11}Ngakho babiza bonke ababusi bamaFilistiya, bathi, “Susani ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikankulunkulu ka-Israyeli; kalibuyele emuva endaweni yalo, hlezi lisibulale thina kanye labantu bakithi.” Ngoba ukufa kwakwenze kwaba lokuthuthumela edolobheni; isandla sikaNkulunkulu sasinzima kakhulu phezu kwalo.

\VS{12}Labo abangafanga baphunywa ngamathumba, njalo umkhosi wedolobho waya phezulu ezulwini.




\par }\Chap{6}{\SH Ibhokisi Lesivumelwano Libuyiselwa Ko-Israyeli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwathi ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} selihlale elizweni lamaFilistiya izinyanga eziyisikhombisa,

\VS{2}amaFilistiya abiza abaphristi labahlahluli athi, “Sizakwenzani ngebhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} na? Sitsheleni ukuthi singalibuyisela njani emuva endaweni yalo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Baphendula bathi, “Nxa libuyisela ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikankulunkulu ka-Israyeli, lingalibuyiseli lingelalutho, kodwa impela thumelani umnikelo wecala kuye. Ngalokho lizasila, njalo lizakwazi ukuthi kungani isandla sakhe singasuswanga kini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}AmaFilistiya abuza athi, “Ngumnikelo bani wecala okumele siwuthumele kuye na?”

\par }{\PP Baphendula bathi, “Amathumba egolide amahlanu lamagundwane egolide amahlanu, kusiya ngenani lababusi bamaFilistiya, ngoba isifo sinye sihlasele lina kanye lababusi benu.”

\VS{5}Yenzani izifanekiso zamathumba lamagundwane achitha ilizwe, lidumise unkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. Mhlawumbe uzasusa isandla sakhe kini lakubonkulunkulu benu kanye laselizweni lenu.

\VS{6}Kungani lisenza inhliziyo zenu zibe lukhuni njengalokhu okwenziwa ngamaGibhithe loFaro na? Lapho unkulunkulu wama-Israyeli esebaphethe kalukhuni kabawavumelanga ama-Israyeli ukuba ahambe na?


\par }{\PP \VS{7}“Ngakho-ke khathesi, lungisani inqola entsha lamankomokazi amabili azeleyo njalo angakaze afakwe ijogwe. Bophelani amankomokazi enqoleni, kodwa lisuse amankonyane awo liwavalele esibayeni.

\VS{8}Thathani ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} lilibeke enqoleni, kuthi emxhakeni oseceleni kwalo lifake izinto zegolide elizithumela kuye njengomnikelo wecala. Ikhupheni izihambele ngendlela yayo,

\VS{9}kodwa liyiqaphelisise. Ingaya elizweni lakibo, iqonde eBhethi-Shemeshi, kuyabe
{\ND{kunguThixo}} olethe incithakalo le enkulu phezu kwethu. Kodwa nxa ingenzi njalo, sizakwazi ukuthi kade kungasisosandla sakhe esisitshayileyo kanye lokuthi kuzenzakalele kodwa nje kithi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Ngakho-ke bakwenza lokhu. Bathatha amankomokazi amabili anjalo bawabophela enqoleni kwathi amankonyane awo bawavalela esibayeni.

\VS{11}Babeka ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} enqoleni ndawonye lomxhaka owawulamagundwane egolide lezifanekiso zamathumba.

\VS{12}Emva kwalokho amankomokazi ahamba eqonde eBhethi-Shemeshi, elokhu esemgwaqweni njalo ebhonsa indlela yonke; kawazange aphambukele kwesokudla kumbe kwesenxele. Ababusi bamaFilistiya bawalandela baze bayafika emngceleni weBhethi Shemeshi.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ngalesosikhathi abantu beBhethi-Shemeshi babevuna ingqoloyi yabo esigodini, njalo bathi lapho bekhangela babona ibhokisi lesivumelwano, bathokoza ukulibona.

\VS{14}Inqola yafika ensimini kaJoshuwa waseBhethi-Shemeshi, yasisima khonapho phansi kwedwala elikhulu. Abantu babanda inqola yaba zinkuni basebehlaba amankomokazi ukuba ngumnikelo wokutshiswa
{\ND{kuThixo}}.

\VS{15}AbaLevi bethula ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}}, kanye lomxhaka owawulezinto zegolide, bakubeka phezu kwedwala elikhulu. Ngalelolanga abantu baseBhethi-Shemeshi banikela iminikelo yokutshiswa benza lemihlatshelo
{\ND{kuThixo}}.

\VS{16}Ababusi abahlanu bamaFilistiya bakubona konke lokhu basebebuyela e-Ekroni ngalelolanga.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Amathumba egolide amaFilistiya awathumela
{\ND{kuThixo}} njengomnikelo wecala yila, elilodwa ele-Ashidodi, leleGaza, lele-Ashikheloni, leleGathi kanye lele-Ekroni.

\VS{18}Lenani lamagundwane egolide lalisiya ngenani lamadolobho amaFilistiya ayengawababusi abahlanu, amadolobho ayevikelwe alemizi yawo yasemaphandleni. Idwala elikhulu ababebeke ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} phezu kwalo, liyibufakazi lalamhlanje ensimini kaJoshuwa waseBhethi-Shemeshi.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Kodwa uNkulunkulu watshaya abanye babantu baseBhethi-Shemeshi, wabulala abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa babo ngoba babelunguze phakathi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu. Abantu balila ngenxa yokugadla okunzima
{\ND{uThixo}} ayekwenze kubo,

\VS{20}njalo abantu baseBhethi-Shemeshi babuza bathi, “Pho ngubani ongema phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}, uNkulunkulu lo ongcwele na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Emva kwalokho bathumela izithunywa ebantwini baseKhiriyathi-Jeyarimi, besithi, “AmaFilistiya aselibuyisile ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}}. Wozani lizolithatha lilise endaweni yenu.”




\Chap{7}\VerseOne{1}Ngakho abantu baseKhiriyathi-Jeyarimi beza balithatha ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}}. Balisa endlini ka-Abhinadabi eqaqeni bangcwelisa u-Eliyazari indodana yakhe ukuba agcine ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Kwakuyisikhathi eside, iminyaka engamatshumi amabili isiyonke, ibhokisi lesivumelwano liseKhiriyathi-Jeyarimi.

\par }{\SH USamuyeli Unqoba AmaFilistiya EMizipha
\par }
{\PP Njalo bonke abantu bako-Israyeli bakhala befuna
{\ND{uThixo}}.

\VS{3}USamuyeli wasesithi kuyo yonke indlu ka-Israyeli, “Nxa libuyela
{\ND{kuThixo}} ngezinhliziyo zenu zonke zehlukaniseni labonkulunkulu bezizweni labo-Ashithorethi lizinikele
{\ND{kuThixo}} njalo likhonze yena kuphela, uzalikhulula esandleni samaFilistiya.”

\VS{4}Ngakho abako-Israyeli babalahla oBhali babo labo-Ashithorethi, bakhonza
{\ND{uThixo}} kuphela.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}USamuyeli wasesithi, “Buthanisani u-Israyeli wonke eMizipha mina ngizalikhulekela
{\ND{kuThixo}}.”

\VS{6}Kwathi sebebuthene eMizipha, bakha amanzi bawathela phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}. Ngalolosuku bazila njalo bavuma izono zabo khonapho besithi, “Sonile.” Njalo uSamuyeli wahlulela abantu bako-Israyeli eMizipha.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Kwathi amaFilistiya esizwa ukuthi u-Israyeli wayebuthene eMizipha, ababusi bamaFilistiya baya khona ukuyabahlasela. Kwathi abako-Israyeli bekuzwa, besaba ngenxa yamaFilistiya.

\VS{8}Bathi kuSamuyeli, “Ungayekeli ukusikhalela
{\ND{kuThixo}} uNkulunkulu wethu ukuba asihlenge esandleni samaFilistiya.”

\VS{9}USamuyeli wathatha iwundlu elimunyayo walinikela
{\ND{kuThixo}} njengomnikelo opheleleyo wokutshiswa. Wamkhulekela
{\ND{kuThixo}} u-Israyeli,
{\ND{uThixo}} wamphendula.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Kwathi uSamuyeli enikela umnikelo wokutshiswa, amaFilistiya asondela eduze ukuba alwe lo-Israyeli. Kodwa mhlalokho
{\ND{uThixo}} waduma ngomdumo omkhulu emelane lamaFilistiya wawenza athuthumela kangangoba aze achithwachithwa phambi kwabako-Israyeli.

\VS{11}Abantu bako-Israyeli bagijima bephuma eMizipha baxotshana lamaFilistiya bewabulala endleleni baze bayafika endaweni engaphansi kweBhethi-Khari.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}USamuyeli wasethatha ilitshe walimisa phakathi kweMizipha leSheni. Walibiza ngokuthi yi-Ebhenezeri, esithi, “Kuze kube khathesi
{\ND{uThixo}} usisizile.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ngakho amaFilistiya anqotshwa njalo kawazange ahlasele ilizwe lako-Israyeli futhi. Kuyo yonke impilo kaSamuyeli, isandla
{\ND{sikaThixo}} sasimelane lamaFilistiya.

\VS{14}Amadolobho kusukela e-Ekroni kusiya eGathi ayethunjwe ngamaFilistiya ku-Israyeli abuyiselwa kuye, njalo u-Israyeli wakhulula ilizwe eliseduze emandleni amaFilistiya. Njalo kwaba lokuthula phakathi kuka-Israyeli lama-Amori.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}USamuyeli waqhubeka engumahluleli ka-Israyeli kuzozonke insuku zokuphila kwakhe.

\VS{16}Iminyaka ngeminyaka wayenquma esuka eBhetheli aye eGiligali leMizipha, esahlulela u-Israyeli kuzozonke lezindawo.

\VS{17}Kodwa wayehlezi ebuyela eRama lapho okwakulomuzi wakhe khona, lakhona wahlulela u-Israyeli. Njalo wakhela
{\ND{uThixo}} i-alithari.




\par }\Chap{8}{\SH U-Israyeli Ucela Inkosi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}USamuyeli eseluphele wabeka amadodana akhe ukuba ngabahluleli baka-Israyeli.

\VS{2}Ibizo lezibulo lakhe lalinguJoweli, ibizo leyesibili lingu-Abhija, njalo ayesebenza eBherishebha.

\VS{3}Kodwa amadodana akhe kawahambanga ezindleleni zakhe. Aphambukela eceleni emva kokuthola inzuzo yenkohliso amukela lemfumbathiso, onakalisa lokwahlulela ngemfanelo.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ngakho bonke abadala bako-Israyeli babuthana ndawonye basebesiya kuSamuyeli eRama.

\VS{5}Bathi kuye, “Usuluphele, njalo amadodana akho kawahambi ezindleleni zakho, ngakho sibekele inkosi ezasikhokhela, njengezinye izizwe zonke ezilayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Kodwa kwathi besithi, “Sinike inkosi ezasikhokhela,” lokhu kwamcunula uSamuyeli; ngakho wakhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}}.

\VS{7}Njalo
{\ND{uThixo}} wathi kuye: “Lalela konke lokho abantu abakutshoyo kuwe; akusuwe abamalayo, kodwa bale mina njengeNkosi yabo.

\VS{8}Njengalokhu abakwenzayo kusukela ngosuku engabakhupha ngalo eGibhithe kuze kube lamhlanje, bangala bakhonza abanye onkulunkulu, lokhu yikho abakwenzayo kuwe.

\VS{9}Ngakho balalele; kodwa ubaxwayise kakhulu njalo ubazise okuzakwenziwa kubo yinkosi ezababusa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}USamuyeli wabatshela wonke amazwi
{\ND{kaThixo}} abantu ababecela inkosi kuye.

\VS{11}Wathi, “Nanku okuzakwenziwa yinkosi ezalibusa: Izathatha amadodana enu iwasebenzise lezinqola zayo zempi lamabhiza, njalo azagijima phambi kwezinqola zayo zempi.

\VS{12}Amanye uzawenza abe ngabalawuli bezinkulungwane labalawuli bamatshumi amahlanu; njalo amanye azalima amasimu ayo avune kanye lamabele ayo, amanye njalo azakwenza izikhali zayo zempi kanye lempahla zezinqola zayo zempi.

\VS{13}Izathatha amadodakazi enu ukuba abe ngabenzi bamakha labapheki kanye labapheki bezinkwa.

\VS{14}Izathatha amasimu enu avundileyo lezivini kanye lezivande zama-oliva ikunike izinceku zayo.

\VS{15}Izathatha okwetshumi emabeleni enu lokwesivuno samavini ikunike izikhulu zayo.

\VS{16}Izisebenzi zenu ezesilisa lezesifazane lenkomo zenu ezinhle kanye labobabhemi izakuthatha ikusebenzise.

\VS{17}Izathatha okwetshumi emihlambini yenu njalo lina ngokwenu lizakuba yizigqili zayo.

\VS{18}Nxa lolosuku selufikile lizakhalela ukukhululwa enkosini eliyikhethileyo, kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} kayikuliphendula ngalolosuku.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Kodwa abantu bala ukumlalela uSamuyeli. Bathi, “Hatshi! Sifuna inkosi ezasibusa.

\VS{20}Lapho-ke sizakuba njengezinye izizwe zonke, silenkosi esikhokhelayo njalo ihambe phambi kwethu ilwe izimpi zethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Kwathi uSamuyeli esekuzwile konke okwakutshiwo ngabantu, wakubika
{\ND{kuThixo}}.

\VS{22}{\ND{Uthixo}} waphendula wathi, “Lalela ilizwi labo ubaphe inkosi.”

\par }{\PP USamuyeli wasesithi ebantwini bako-Israyeli, “Umuntu wonke kabuyele emzini wakibo.”




\par }\Chap{9}{\SH USamuyeli Ugcoba USawuli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwakulomuntu wakoBhenjamini, indoda elesithunzi, ibizo layo lalinguKhishi indodana ka-Abhiyeli, indodana kaZerori, indodana kaBhekhorathi, indodana ka-Afiya owakoBhenjamini.

\VS{2}Wayelendodana ethiwa nguSawuli, ijaha elilesithunzi kungekho ongalinganiswa lalo phakathi kwama-Israyeli, edlula abantu bonke ngobude kusukela emahlombe kusiya ekhanda.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Ngalesisikhathi obabhemi bakaKhishi uyise kaSawuli balahleka, uKhishi wasesithi kuSawuli indodana yakhe, “Thatha enye yezinceku uhambe layo ukuyadinga obabhemi.”

\VS{4}Ngakho wadabula elizweni lamaqaqa elako-Efrayimi lasemangweni ozungeze iShalisha, kodwa kababatholanga. Baqhubeka baya esifundeni saseShalimi, kodwa obabhemi babengekho. Wadabula phakathi kwelizwe lakoBhenjamini, kodwa kabawatholanga.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Kwathi sebefikile esifundeni saseZufi, uSawuli wathi encekwini eyayilaye, “Woza, kasibuyele, hlezi ubaba ekele ukucabanga ngabobabhemi aqalise ukukhathazeka ngathi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Kodwa inceku yaphendula yathi, “Khangela, kulumuzi kulomuntu kaNkulunkulu; uyahlonitshwa kakhulu, njalo konke akutshoyo kuyenzakala. Kasiye khona khathesi nje. Mhlawumbe angasitshela ukuthi siqonde ngaphi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}USawuli wasesithi encekwini, “Singaya kuye, sizamnikani umuntu lowo na? Ukudla kakusekho emigodleni yethu. Kasilasipho esingahamba laso emuntwini kaNkulunkulu. Kuyini esilakho na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Inceku yaphendula njalo yathi, “Khangela, ngilokwesine kweshekeli elesiliva. Ngizakunika umuntu kaNkulunkulu ukuze asitshele ukuthi siqonde ngaphi.”

\VS{9}(Ngaphambilini ko-Israyeli, lapho umuntu esiyabuza uNkulunkulu, wayesithi, “Woza, kasiye kumboni,” ngoba umphrofethi wakhathesi wayethiwa ngumboni.)


\par }{\PP \VS{10}USawuli wasesithi encekwini yakhe, “Kuhle. Woza kasihambe.” Ngakho basuka baya emzini okwakuhlala khona umuntu kaNkulunkulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Besaqansa uqaqa besiya kulowomuzi bahlangana lamantombazana ayephume ukuyakukha amanzi basebewabuza besithi, “Kulomboni lapha na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Aphendula athi, “Ukhona. Uphambidlana kwenu. Phangisani khathesi; usanda kufika emzini wethu lamhla, ngoba abantu balomhlatshelo endaweni ephakemeyo.

\VS{13}Khonokho nje lingena umuzi, lizamfica engakaqanseli phezulu endaweni ephakemeyo ukuyakudla. Abantu kabayikuqalisa ukudla aze afike, ngoba kumele abusise umhlatshelo; emva kwalokho bazakudla-ke labo abanxusiweyo. Hambani-ke, lizamthola khathesi nje.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Baya kulowomuzi, kwathi lapho bengena kuwo, babona uSamuyeli esiza kubo eqansela endaweni ephakemeyo.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Ngosuku uSawuli engakafiki,
{\ND{uThixo}} wayeveze lokhu kuSamuyeli wathi,

\VS{16}“Ngesikhathi esingaba yisonalesi kusasa ngizaletha kuwe umuntu ovela elizweni lakoBhenjamini. Mgcobe ukuba ngumkhokheli wabantu bami u-Israyeli; uzakhulula abantu bami esandleni samaFilistiya. Ngibakhangele abantu bami, ngoba ukukhala kwabo sekufikile kimi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Kwathi uSamuyeli ebona uSawuli,
{\ND{uThixo}} wathi kuye, “Lo nguye umuntu engikhulume kuwe ngaye; uzabusa abantu bami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}USawuli wasondela kuSamuyeli wabuza wathi, “Ake ungitshele ukuthi indlu yomboni ingaphi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}USamuyeli waphendula wathi, “Umboni yimi. Hamba phambi kwami uye endaweni ephakemeyo, ngoba lamhla uzakudla lami, ekuseni ngizakuyekela uhambe njalo ngizakutshela konke okusenhliziyweni yakho.

\VS{20}Obabhemi abalahlekileyo ensukwini ezintathu ezedluleyo, ungakhathazeki ngabo; sebebonakele. Njalo kungubani izifiso zonke zika-Israyeli ezikhangele kuye nxa kungasuwe lendlu yonke kayihlo na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}USawuli waphendula wathi, “Kodwa mina kangisuye yini wakoBhenjamini, isizwana esincinyane kulazo zonke ko-Israyeli, njalo lendlu yakwethu kayincinyane kulazo zonke izindlu zesizwe sakoBhenjamini na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}USamuyeli wasengenisa uSawuli lenceku yakhe endlini enkulu wabahlalisa phambi kwalabo ababenxusiwe babengaba ngamatshumi amathathu ubunengi babo.

\VS{23}USamuyeli wasesithi kumpheki wakhe, “Letha iqatha lenyama engikuphe lona, leliyana engithe uligcine.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Ngakho umpheki wathatha umlenze lalokho okwakuphezu kwawo, wakubeka phambi kukaSawuli. USamuyeli wasesithi, “Nanku okube kugcinelwe wena. Dlana, ngoba kade kubekelwe wena kulelithuba, kusukela ngesikhathi ngisithi, ‘Ngilabemzini abanxusiweyo.’ ” USawuli wadla loSamuyeli ngalolosuku.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Sebehlile endaweni ephakemeyo ukuya emzini, uSamuyeli wakhuluma loSawuli bephezu kophahla lwendlu yakhe.

\VS{26}Bavuka ngezikhathi zemadabukakusa, uSamuyeli wabiza uSawuli phezu kophahla wathi, “Lunga ngikuqhube ohanjweni lwakho.” USawuli eselungile, yena loSamuyeli baphuma bonke.

\VS{27}Ekuhambeni kwabo besehlela emaphethelweni omuzi, uSamuyeli wathi kuSawuli, “Tshela inceku yakho iqhubeke phambi kwethu” lakanye inceku yenza njalo “kodwa wena sala lapha okwesikhatshana ukuze ngikutshele ilizwi elivela kuNkulunkulu.”




\par }\Chap{10}{\PP \VerseOne{1}USamuyeli wasethatha umfuma wamafutha wawathela ekhanda likaSawuli wasemanga, esithi, “{\ND{Uthixo}} kakugcobanga ukuba ngumbusi welifa lakhe na?

\VS{2}Ekusukeni kwakho kimi lamhla, uzahlangana lamadoda amabili eduze kwengcwaba likaRasheli, eliseZeliza esemngceleni wakoBhenjamini. Azakuthi kuwe, ‘Obabhemi obuyebadinga sebetholakele. Khathesi uyihlo kasacabangi ngabo kodwa usekhathazeka ngawe. Uyabuza esithi, “Ngizakwenzanjani ngendodana yami na?” ’


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Uzahamba-ke usuka lapho uze ufike esihlahleni esikhulu saseThabhori. Amadoda amathathu aya kuNkulunkulu eBhetheli azahlangana lawe khonapho. Enye izathwala amazinyane embuzi amathathu, enye izinkwa ezintathu lenye umgodla wewayini.

\VS{4}Azakubingelela akuphe izinkwa ezimbili, ozazamukela kuwo.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Emva kwalokho, uzakuya eGibhiya kaNkulunkulu lapho okulesilindo sebutho lamaFilistiya khona. Lapho usubanga emzini, uzahlangana lodwendwe lwabaphrofethi besehla bevela endaweni ephakemeyo, phambi kwabo kutshaywa imiqangala lamagedla lemifece kanye lemihubhe, njalo bazakuba bephrofetha.

\VS{6}UMoya
{\ND{kaThixo}} uzakwehlela phezu kwakho ngamandla, lawe uzaphrofetha labo, njalo uzaguqulwa ube ngomunye umuntu.

\VS{7}Izibonakaliso lezi zingagcwaliseka, yenza loba yini okubona kufanele ukuba ukwenze, ngoba uNkulunkulu ulawe.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Hamba ungandulele eGiligali. Ngizakuza kuwe impela ngizenikela umhlatshelo weminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yobuzalwane. Kodwa kuzamele ulinde insuku eziyisikhombisa ngize ngifike kuwe ngikutshele okumele ukwenze.”


\par }{\SH USawuli Wenziwa Inkosi
\par }
{\PP \VS{9}Kwathi uSawuli ephenduka esesuka kuSamuyeli, uNkulunkulu waguqula inhliziyo kaSawuli, njalo zonke izibonakaliso lezi zagcwaliseka mhlalokho.

\VS{10}Bathi befika eGibhiya, udwendwe lwabaphrofethi lwabahlangabeza; uMoya kaNkulunkulu wehlela phezu kwakhe ngamandla, laye wahlanganyela ekuphrofitheni kwabo.

\VS{11}Kwathi labo ababevele bemazi bembona esephrofitha labaphrofethi, babuzana besithi, “Kuyini kanti lokhu osekwenzakale endodaneni kaKhishi? USawuli laye ungomunye wabaphrofethi na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Umuntu owayehlala lapho waphendula wathi, “Uyise wabo ngubani na?” Ngakho kwaba yisitsho ukuthi: “USawuli laye ungomunye wabaphrofethi na?”

\VS{13}Kwathi uSawuli eseyekele ukuphrofetha, wasesiya endaweni ephakemeyo.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Ngalesosikhathi uyise omncane kaSawuli wambuza kanye lenceku yakhe wathi, “Kanti kade lingaphi?”

\par }{\PP USawuli waphendula wathi, “Kade sidinga obabhemi. Kodwa kuthe sibona ukuthi kabatholakali, sasesisiya kuSamuyeli.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Uyise omncane kaSawuli wasesithi, “Ngitshela ukuthi uSamuyeli utheni kuwe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}USawuli waphendula wathi, “Uqinise kithi ukuthi obabhemi sebebonakele.” Kodwa kamtshelanga uyise omncane okwakutshiwo nguSamuyeli ngobukhosi.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}USamuyeli wabizela abantu bako-Israyeli
{\ND{kuThixo}} eMizipha

\VS{18}wathi kubo, “Nanku okutshiwo
{\ND{yiThixo}}, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli: ‘Ngakhupha u-Israyeli eGibhithe, njalo ngalikhulula esandleni seGibhithe lakuyo yonke imibuso eyayilincindezela.’

\VS{19}Kodwa khathesi selimalile uNkulunkulu wenu, olihlengayo ezingozini zenu zonke lasezinsizini. Njalo selithe, ‘Hatshi, sibekele inkosi ezasibusa.’ Ngakho-ke khathesi zibonakaliseni phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} ngezizwana zenu langezinsendo zenu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Kwathi uSamuyeli esezilethe eduze zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli, isizwana sikaBhenjamini sakhethwa.

\VS{21}Emva kwalokho waletha isizwana sikaBhenjamini phambili, usendo ngosendo, kwakhethwa usendo lukaMathiri. Ekucineni kwakhethwa uSawuli, indodana kaKhishi. Kodwa kwathi sebemdinga akaze abonakala.

\VS{22}Ngakho babuza njalo
{\ND{kuThixo}} bathi, “Umuntu lo uke wafika lapha na?”

\par }{\PP {\ND{UThixo}} wathi, “Ye, usezifihle phakathi kwezimpahla.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Bagijima bayamkhipha, njalo kwathi esemi phakathi kwabantu, wayemude kulabo bonke.

\VS{24}USamuyeli wasesithi ebantwini bonke, “Liyambona yini umuntu osekhethwe
{\ND{nguThixo}}? Kakho lamunye onjengaye phakathi kwabantu bonke bako-Israyeli.”

\par }{\PP Abantu baklabalala besithi, “Impilo ende enkosini!”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}USamuyeli wachaza ebantwini imithetho yobukhosi. Wayiloba emqulwini wayibeka phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}. Emva kwalokho wabachitha abantu, ngulowo lalowo waya emzini wakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}USawuli laye waya kibo eGibhiya ephelekezelwa ngabantu abangamaqhawe uNkulunkulu ayethinte inhliziyo zabo.

\VS{27}Kodwa ezinye izidlwangudlwangu zathi, “Umuntu lo angasikhulula kanjani na?” Zameyisa kazaze zamlethela zipho. Kodwa uSawuli wazithulela.




\par }\Chap{11}{\SH USawuli Uhlenga Idolobho LaseJabheshi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UNahashi umʼAmoni wasuka wayivimbezela iJabheshi Giliyadi. Bonke abantu baseJabheshi bathi kuye, “Yenza isivumelwano lathi, thina sizakuba ngaphansi kwakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Kodwa uNahashi umʼAmoni waphendula wathi, “Ngizakwenza isivumelwano lani kuphela nxa kuyikuthi ngizakhupha ilihlo lesandla sokunene emuntwini wonke wakini ukuze u-Israyeli wonke ngimlethele ihlazo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Abadala baseJabheshi bathi kuye, “Sinike insuku eziyisikhombisa ukuze sithume izithunywa kulolonke elako-Israyeli; nxa engekho ozasihlenga sizazinikela kuwe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Kwathi izithunywa sezifike eGibhiya kaSawuli njalo zabika izimiso lezi ebantwini bonke bakhala kakhulu.

\VS{5}Ngalesosikhathi uSawuli wayevela emasimini, engemuva kwenkabi zakhe, wasebuza esithi, “Kuyini okonakeleyo ebantwini? Kungani bekhala?” Bamlandisela okwakutshiwo ngabantu baseJabheshi.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Kwathi uSawuli esezwe amazwi abo, uMoya kaNkulunkulu wehlela phezu kwakhe ngamandla, wathukuthela kakhulu.

\VS{7}Wathatha inkabi ezimbili, waziquma zaba yiziqayiqa, wathumela iziqa lezithunywa kulolonke elako-Israyeli, zimemezela zisithi, “Lokhu yikho okuzakwenziwa enkabini zikabani lobani ongalandeli uSawuli loSamuyeli.” Ukwesabeka
{\ND{kukaThixo}} kwehlela ebantwini, baphuma sebenjengomuntu munye.

\VS{8}Kwathi uSawuli esebaqoqile eBhezekhi, abantu bako-Israyeli babezinkulungwane ezintathu, abakoJuda bezinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amathathu.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Batshela izithunywa ezazifikile bathi, “Tshelani abantu baseJabheshi Giliyadi ukuthi, ‘Kuzakuthi ilanga selitshisa kusasa, lina lizakuba selihlengiwe.’ ” Kwathi izithunywa sezihambe zayabika lokhu ebantwini baseJabheshi, bathokoza.

\VS{10}Basebesithi kuma-Amoni, “Kusasa sizazinikela kini, njalo lingenza kithi loba kuyini okukhanya kukuhle kini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngelanga elalandelayo uSawuli wehlukanisa abantu bakhe baba ngamaviyo amathathu; kwathi ngomlindo wokucina ebusuku bafohlela ezihonqweni zama-Amoni bawabulala ilanga laze latshisa. Lawo aphephayo ahlakazeka, akwaze kwaba lamabili awo asala endawonye.


\par }{\SH USawuli Wemukelwa Njengenkosi
\par }
{\PP \VS{12}Abantu basebesithi kuSamuyeli, “Ngubani owabuza wathi, ‘USawuli uzasibusa na?’ Balethe kithi labobantu sibabulale.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Kodwa uSawuli wathi, “Kakho ozabulawa lamhla, ngoba ngalolusuku
{\ND{uThixo}} umhlengile u-Israyeli.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}USamuyeli wasesithi ebantwini, “Wozani, kasiyeni eGiligali siyeqinisa ubukhosi khona.”

\VS{15}Ngakho abantu bonke baya eGiligali bambeka uSawuli ukuba yinkosi phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}. Bahlaba khona imihlatshelo yeminikelo yokuthula, njalo uSawuli labantu bonke bako-Israyeli baba lomkhosi omkhulu wokuthokoza.




\par }\Chap{12}{\SH Inkulumo KaSamuyeli Yokuvalelisa
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}USamuyeli wathi kubo bonke abako-Israyeli, “Ngikuzwile konke elikukhulumileyo kimi njalo sengilibekele inkosi.

\VS{2}Khathesi selilenkosi engumkhokheli wenu. Mina sengiluphele lenwele sezimpunga, lamadodana ami lilawo khonapha. Kade ngingumkhokheli wenu kusukela ebutsheni bami kuze kube lamhla.

\VS{3}Ngikhonapha. Fakazani okubi ngami phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} logcotshiweyo wakhe. Ngubani engake ngathatha inkabi yakhe na? Ngubani engake ngathatha ubabhemi wakhe na? Ngubani engake ngamqilibezela? Ngubani engake ngamncindezela na? Kukwezikabani izandla engake ngamukela isivalamlomo ukuba ngivale amehlo ami na? Nxa ngake ngenza okunye kwalokhu, ngizakubuyisela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Baphendula bathi, “Kawuzange usiqilibezele loba usincindezele. Kawuthathanga lutho esandleni somuntu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}USamuyeli wasesithi kubo, “{\ND{Uthixo}} ungufakazi umelane lani, logcotshiweyo wakhe ungufakazi ngalelilanga, ukuthi kalitholanga lutho esandleni sami.”

\par }{\PP Bona bathi, “Yena ungufakazi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}USamuyeli wasesithi ebantwini, “{\ND{NguThixo}} owakhetha uMosi lo-Aroni wakhupha oyihlomkhulu eGibhithe.

\VS{7}Khathesi-ke, manini khonapha, ngoba ngizamelana lani ngobufakazi phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} ngazozonke izenzo ezilungileyo
{\ND{uThixo}} owazenzela lina laboyihlo.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Emva kokuba uJakhobe esefikile eGibhithe, bakhalela usizo
{\ND{kuThixo}},
{\ND{uThixo}} wasethuma uMosi lo-Aroni, abakhupha okhokho benu eGibhithe bazabahlalisa kule indawo.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kodwa bamkhohlwa
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wabo; ngakho wabanikela esandleni sikaSisera, umlawuli webutho laseHazori, lasezandleni zamaFilistiya kanye lasenkosini yamaMowabi, balwa labo.

\VS{10}Bakhala
{\ND{kuThixo}} bathi, ‘Sonile, simdelile
{\ND{uThixo}} sakhonza oBhali labo-Ashithorethi. Kodwa khathesi ake usikhulule ezandleni zezitha zethu, sizakukhonza.’

\VS{11}Lapho-ke
{\ND{uThixo}} wathuma uJerubhi-Bhali, loBhedani, loJeftha kanye loSamuyeli, walikhulula ezandleni zezitha zenu inxa zonke, yikho lahlala livikelekile.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Kodwa kwathi lapho libona ukuthi uNahashi inkosi yama-Amoni wayesizalihlasela, lathi kimi, ‘Hatshi, sifuna inkosi yokusibusa,’ lanxa
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wenu wayeyinkosi yenu.

\VS{13}Khathesi nansi inkosi eliyikhethileyo, yona elayicelayo; khangelani,
{\ND{uThixo}} uselibekele inkosi phezu kwenu.

\VS{14}Nxa limesaba
{\ND{uThixo}} limkhonze njalo limlalele lingahlamukeli imilayo yakhe, njalo nxa lina kanye lenkosi elibusayo lilandela
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wenu, kuhle!

\VS{15}Kodwa nxa
{\ND{uThixo}} lingamlaleli, njalo nxa lihlamukela imilayo yakhe, isandla sakhe sizamelana lani, njengoba sasimelane laboyihlo.


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Khathesi-ke manini lithule libone into enkulu
{\ND{uThixo}} asezayenza phambi kwamehlo enu!

\VS{17}Kanti khathesi akusisikhathi sokuvuna ingqoloyi na? Ngizakhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}} ukuba athumele umdumo lezulu. Njalo lizabona ukuthi yinto embi njani elayenzayo emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}} lapho licela inkosi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Emva kwalokho uSamuyeli wakhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}}, njalo khona mhlalokho
{\ND{uThixo}} wathumela umdumo lezulu. Ngakho abantu bonke bamesaba
{\ND{uThixo}} loSamuyeli.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Bonke abantu bathi kuSamuyeli, “Khulekela izinceku zakho
{\ND{kuThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho ukuze singafi, ngoba sesengeze kwezinye zonke izono zethu ngobubi bokucela inkosi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}USamuyeli waphendula wathi, “Lingesabi. Selibenzile bonke lobububi; kodwa lingamfulatheli
{\ND{uThixo}}; kodwa khonzani
{\ND{uThixo}} ngezinhliziyo zenu zonke.

\VS{21}Lingaphendukeli ezithombeni ezingasizi lutho. Zingeke zilenzele lutho, kumbe zilihlenge, ngoba kazilasizo.

\VS{22}Ngenxa yebizo lakhe elikhulu
{\ND{uThixo}} kayikubalahla abantu bakhe, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} wathokoziswa yikulenza libe ngabakhe.

\VS{23}Mina-ke kangiyikukwenza ukuthi ngenze isono
{\ND{kuThixo}} ngokungalikhulekeli. Njalo ngizalifundisa indlela enhle lelungileyo.

\VS{24}Kodwa mesabeni ngeqiniso
{\ND{uThixo}}, limkhonze ngobuqotho ngezinhliziyo zenu zonke. Khumbulani izinto ezinkulu alenzela zona.

\VS{25}Kodwa lingaphikelela ukwenza okubi, lina lenkosi yenu lizakhukhulwa.”




\par }\Chap{13}{\SH USamuyeli Ukhuza USawuli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}USawuli waba yinkosi eleminyaka engamatshumi amathathu ubudala bakhe, njalo wabusa u-Israyeli iminyaka engamatshumi amane lambili.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}USawuli wakhetha abantu abazinkulungwane ezintathu ko-Israyeli; abazinkulungwane ezimbili babelaye eMikhimashi laselizweni lezintaba eleBhetheli, njalo abayinkulungwane babeloJonathani eGibhiya koBhenjamini. Bonke abasalayo wababuyisela emakhaya abo.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}UJonathani wahlasela inkamba yamabutho amaFilistiya eGebha, njalo amaFilistiya akuzwa lokho. Lapho-ke uSawuli wathi kakukhaliswe icilongo kulolonke ilizwe wathi, “AmaHebheru kawezwe!”

\VS{4}Ngakho u-Israyeli wonke wayizwa indaba yokuthi: “USawuli usehlasele inkamba yamabutho amaFilistiya, njalo u-Israyeli khathesi useyisinengiso kumaFilistiya.” Njalo abantu babizwa ukuba bayehlanganyela loSawuli eGiligali.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}AmaFilistiya abuthana ukuthi alwe lo-Israyeli ngezinqola zempi eziyizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amathathu, labatshayeli bazo abazinkulungwane eziyisithupha kanye lamabutho ayemanengi njengetshebetshebe ekhunjini lolwandle. Ahamba ayamisa eMikhimashi, empumalanga kweBhethi-Aveni.

\VS{6}Kwathi abantu bako-Israyeli bebona ukuthi umumo wabo wawusumubi lokuthi ibutho labo lalincindezelwe kanzima, bacatsha ezimbalwini lasemajukujukwini, laphakathi kwamadwala, emilindini lasemigodini.

\VS{7}Amanye amaHebheru aze achaphela elizweni lakoGadi kanye leGiliyadi.

\par }{\PP USawuli wasala eGiligali, njalo wonke amabutho ayelaye ayeqhuqha ngenxa yokwesaba.

\VS{8}Walinda insuku eziyisikhombisa, isikhathi esasimiswe nguSamuyeli; kodwa uSamuyeli kezanga eGiligali; yikho abantu bakaSawuli baqalisa ukuchitheka.

\VS{9}Ngakho wathi, “Ngilethelani umnikelo wokutshiswa leminikelo yobuzalwane.” USawuli wanikela umnikelo wokutshiswa.

\VS{10}Kwathi khonokho nje eqeda ukunikela umnikelo wokutshiswa, uSamuyeli wafika, uSawuli waphuma wayambingelela.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}USamuyeli wabuza wathi, “Kuyini osukwenzile na?”

\par }{\PP USawuli waphendula wathi, “Kuthe ngibona abantu sebechitheka, lokuthi kawufikanga ngesikhathi esimisiweyo, kanye lokuthi amaFilistiya abebuthana eMikhimashi,

\VS{12}ngacabanga ngathi, ‘Khathesi amaFilistiya azakuzangihlasela eGiligali, njalo kangicelanga umusa
{\ND{kuThixo}}.’ Ngakho ngizwe ngincindezeleka ukuba nginikele umnikelo wokutshiswa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}USamuyeli wathi, “Wenze ubuthutha. Kawuwugcinanga umlayo
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho akupha wona; aluba ubukwenzile lokho, ubezamisa umbuso wakho phezu kuka-Israyeli kokuphela.

\VS{14}Kodwa umbuso wakho kawuyikuqhubeka;
{\ND{uThixo}} usedinge indoda emthandayo ngenhliziyo yakhe wambeka ukuba ngumbusi wabantu bakhe, ngoba wena kawuwugcinanga umlayo
{\ND{kaThixo}}.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Emva kwalokho uSamuyeli wasuka eGiligali waya eGibhiya koBhenjamini, uSawuli wasebala abantu ababelaye. Babengaba ngamakhulu ayisithupha.


\par }{\SH U-Israyeli Ongelazikhali
\par }
{\PP \VS{16}USawuli lendodana yakhe uJonathani kanye labantu ayelabo babehlala eGibhiya koBhenjamini, amaFilistiya emise izihonqo eMikhimashi.

\VS{17}Amaqembu abahlaseli aphuma ezihonqweni zamaFilistiya ngezigaba ezintathu. Elinye laqonda e-Ofira eduze leShuwali,

\VS{18}elinye laqonda eBhethi-Horoni, kwathi elesithathu laqonda endaweni esemngceleni ngaphezu kweSigodi saseZebhoyimi malungana lenkangala.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Akulamkhandi wensimbi owayengatholakala kulolonke elako-Israyeli, ngoba amaFilistiya ayethe, “Mhlawumbe amaHebheru azakwenza izinkemba kumbe imikhonto.”

\VS{20}Ngakho u-Israyeli wonke waya kumaFilistiya ukuyalola amakhuba akhe, lamamatoki, lamahloka kanye amasikela.

\VS{21}Imbadalo yokulolisa amakhuba lamamatoki yayingokubili kokuthathu kweshekeli, njalo ingokukodwa kokuthathu kweshekeli ukulola amafologwe lamahloka kanye lokucijisa izijujo.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Ngakho ngosuku lwempi akulabutho elaliloSawuli loJonathani elalilenkemba kumbe umkhonto esandleni salo; uSawuli loJonathani kuphela yibo ababelakho.


\par }{\SH UJonathani Uhlasela AmaFilistiya
\par }
{\PP \VS{23}Ngalesisikhathi amaFilistiya ayesephume aya emkhandlwini waseMikhimashi.




\Chap{14}\VerseOne{1}Ngelinye ilanga uJonathani indodana kaSawuli wathi ejaheni elalithwala izikhali zakhe, “Woza, kasiye enkambeni yebutho lamaFilistiya ngakwelinye icele.” Kodwa kamtshelanga uyise.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}USawuli wayehlala emaphethelweni eGibhiya ngaphansi kwesihlahla sephomegranathi eMigironi. Amadoda ayelaye ayengaba ngamakhulu ayisithupha,

\VS{3}phakathi kwawo kulo-Ahija, owayegqoke isigqoko samahlombe. Wayeyindodana yomfowabo ka-Ikhabhodi u-Ahithubi indodana kaFinehasi, indodana ka-Eli umphristi
{\ND{kaThixo}} eShilo. Kakho owayesazi ukuthi uJonathani wayehambile.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Eceleni ngalinye lomkhandlu ayehlose ukuwuchapha ukuze ayefika enkambeni yebutho lamaFilistiya kwakuleliwa; elinye lalithiwa yiBhozezi elinye liyiSene.

\VS{5}Elinye iliwa lalingasenyakatho ngokuya eMikhimashi, elinye lingasezansi ngokuya eGebha.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}UJonathani wathi ejaheni elalithwala izikhali zakhe, “Woza, siwelele enkambeni yalabayana abantu abangasokanga. Engxenye
{\ND{uThixo}} uzasimela, ngoba akulalutho olungavimbela
{\ND{uThixo}} ekukhululeni, loba kungabanengi kumbe abalutshwana.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Umthwali wezikhali zakhe wathi, “Yenza konke olakho engqondweni yakho. Qhubeka, mina ngilawe ngenhliziyo langomphefumulo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UJonathani wasesithi, “Ngakho-ke, woza sikhuphuke siqonde kulabaya abantu senze ukuba basibone.

\VS{9}Bangathi kithi, ‘Manini khonapho size sifike kini,’ sizahlala lapho esikhona singayi kubo.

\VS{10}Kodwa bangathi, ‘Wozani kithi,’ sizakhwela siye phezulu ngoba lokho kuzakuba yisibonakaliso sethu sokuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} usebanikele ezandleni zethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngakho bobabili bazibonakalisa enkambeni yamabutho amaFilistiya. AmaFilistiya athi, “Khangelani, amaHebheru asehohoba ephuma emilindini abecatshe kuyo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Amadoda ayesenkambeni yamabutho amemeza uJonathani lomthwali wezikhali zakhe athi, “Wozani kithi sizalifundisa isifundo.”

\par }{\PP Ngakho uJonathani wathi kumthwali wezikhali zakhe, “Khwela ungilandele;
{\ND{uThixo}} usebanikele esandleni sika-Israyeli.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}UJonathani wakhwela, esebenzisa izandla lezinyawo zakhe, lomthwali wezikhali zakhe ekhonapho ngemva kwakhe. AmaFilistiya awa phambi kukaJonathani, njalo umthwali wezikhali zakhe walandela ebulala abantu ngemva kwakhe.

\VS{14}Ngalokho kuhlasela kokuqala uJonathani lomthwali wezikhali zakhe babulala abantu abangamatshumi amabili endaweni eyayingaba yingxenye yendima.


\par }{\SH U-Israyeli Ubhuqa AmaFilistiya
\par }
{\PP \VS{15}Emva kwalokho ibutho lonke lathuthumela, ababesezihonqweni lababesegangeni, lalabo ababesezinkambeni zamabutho lamaqembu abahlaseli, iphansi lanyikinyeka. Kwakuyikuthuthumela okwakulethwe nguNkulunkulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Abalindi bakaSawuli eGibhiya koBhenjamini babona ibutho lisabalele ezinhlangothini zonke.

\VS{17}USawuli wasesithi ebantwini ababelaye, “Qoqani amabutho libone ukuthi ngubani ongekho.” Sebekwenzile, ababengekho kwakunguJonathani lomthwali wezikhali zakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}USawuli wasesithi ku-Ahija, “Letha ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu.” (Ngalesisikhathi lalikwabako-Israyeli.)

\VS{19}Kwathi uSawuli esakhuluma lomphristi, ukuxokozela ezihonqweni zamaFilistiya kwakhula kakhulu kakhulukazi. Ngakho uSawuli wathi kumphristi, “Susa isandla sakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Emva kwalokho uSawuli labantu bakhe bonke babuthana basebesiya empini. Bafica amaFilistiya ephakathi kwesiyaluyalu esipheleleyo, egalelana ngezinkemba zawo.

\VS{21}AmaHebheru ayelamaFilistiya kuqala ehambe lawo ezihonqweni zawo abuyela kwabako-Israyeli ababeloSawuli loJonathani.

\VS{22}Kwathi lapho bonke abako-Israyeli ababecatshe elizweni lezintaba elako-Efrayimi sebezwile ukuthi amaFilistiya ayesebaleka empini bangena, baxotshana lawo.

\VS{23}{\ND{Uthixo}} wamhlenga kanjalo u-Israyeli ngalolosuku, njalo ukulwa kwaya ngale kweBhethi-Aveni.


\par }{\SH UJonathani Udla Uluju
\par }
{\PP \VS{24}Ngalolosuku abantu bako-Israyeli babedanile ngoba uSawuli wayebophe abantu ngesifungo esithi, “Uqalekisiwe lowomuntu odla ukudla kungakahlwi, ngingakaphindiseli ezitheni zami!” Ngakho akukho butho elanambitha ukudla.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Ibutho lonke langena ehlathini, lapho okwakuloluju phansi khona.

\VS{26}Ekungeneni kwabo ehlathini, babona uluju lujuluka, kodwa kakho owaludlayo, ngoba babesesaba isifungo.

\VS{27}Kodwa uJonathani wayengezwanga ukuthi uyise wayebophe abantu ngesifungo, welula isiduku somqwayi ayewuphethe wawuhloma ohlangeni loluju. Waphakamisela isandla sakhe emlonyeni wakhe, amehlo akhazimula.

\VS{28}Lapho-ke omunye wamabutho wamtshela wathi, “Uyihlo ubophe ibutho ngesifungo esinzima, esithi, ‘Uqalekisiwe lowomuntu odla ukudla lamhla!’ Yikho-nje abantu bemdambiyana.”


\par }{\PP \VS{29}UJonathani wathi, “Ubaba usedalele ilizwe uhlupho. Khangela ukuthi amehlo ami athe dlwe ekunambitheni kwami okuncane koluju lolu.

\VS{30}Kade kuzakuba ngcono kakhulu aluba lamhla abantu bebedlile enye yempango abayithethe ezitheni zabo. Ukubulawa kwamaFilistiya kade kungayikuba kukhulu kulalokhu na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{31}Ngalolosuku, emva kokuba ama-Israyeli esebulele amaFilistiya kusukela eMikhimashi kusiyafika e-Ayijaloni, ayesediniwe.

\VS{32}Baphuthuma impango, kwathi sebethethe izimvu lenkomo kanye lamathole, bazibulala khonapho bazidla kanye legazi.

\VS{33}Omunye wasesithi kuSawuli, “Khangela abantu benza isono
{\ND{kuThixo}} ngokudla inyama elegazi.”

\par }{\PP Yena wathi, “Selephule ukuthenjwa. Giqelani ilitshe elikhulu ngapha khathesi nje.”

\VS{34}Wasesithi, “Yanini phakathi kwabantu libatshele lithi, ‘Lowo lalowo wenu kangilethele inkomo lezimvu zakhe azibulalele lapha azidle. Lingenzi isono
{\ND{kuThixo}} ngokudla inyama eseselegazi.’ ”

\par }{\PP Ngakho ngalobobusuku umuntu wonke waletha inkabi yakhe wayihlabela khonapho.

\VS{35}USawuli wasesakhela
{\ND{uThixo}} i-alithari; wayeqala ukwenza lokhu.


\par }{\PP \VS{36}USawuli wathi, “Kasehleni silandele amaFilistiya ebusuku siwahlasele kuze kuse, singatshiyi lalinye lawo liphila.”

\par }{\PP Bathi, “Yenza lokho okubona kulungile kuwe.”

\par }{\PP Kodwa umphristi wathi, “Kasibuzeni uNkulunkulu lapha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{37}USawuli wabuza uNkulunkulu wathi, “Ngehle ngilandele amaFilistiya na? Uzawanikela esandleni sika-Israyeli na?” Kodwa uNkulunkulu kamphendulanga ngalolosuku.


\par }{\PP \VS{38}Ngakho uSawuli wathi, “Wozani lapha, lonke lina bakhokheli bebutho, sidinge ukuthi yisono bani esenziwe lamhla.

\VS{39}Ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ohlenga u-Israyeli ephila, lanxa sisendodaneni yami uJonathani, kumele ife.” Kodwa akukho lamunye wabantu owatsho ilizwi.


\par }{\PP \VS{40}USawuli wasesithi kubo bonke abako-Israyeli, “Manini laphayana; mina lendodana yami uJonathani sizakuma ngapha.”

\par }{\PP Abantu baphendula bathi, “Yenza lokho okukhanya kulungile kuwe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{41}Emva kwalokho uSawuli wakhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}}, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli wathi, “Kungani ungayiphendulanga inceku lamuhla? Nxa isono sikimi kumbe kuJonathani indodana yami, inkatho kayibe yi-Urimi; kodwa nxa isono sisebantwini bako-Israyeli, inkatho kayibe yiThumimi.” UJonathani loSawuli badliwa yinkatho, abantu bagezeka.

\VS{42}USawuli wasesithi, “Phosani inkatho phakathi kwami loJonathani indodana yami.” UJonathani wabanjwa.


\par }{\PP \VS{43}USawuli wasesithi kuJonathani, “Ngitshela lokho okwenzileyo.”

\par }{\PP Ngakho uJonathani wamtshela wathi, “Nginambithe uluju nje kuphela ngesihloko somqwayi wami. Khathesi-ke sokumele ngife!”


\par }{\PP \VS{44}USawuli wathi, “UNkulunkulu kangijezise, kube nzima kakhulu, nxa ungafi, Jonathani.”


\par }{\PP \VS{45}Kodwa abantu bathi kuSawuli, “UJonathani kumele afe yini, yena olethe lokhukuhlengwa okukhulu ko-Israyeli na? Hatshi bo! Ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ekhona, akulanwele lwekhanda lakhe oluzawela phansi, ngoba lokhu ukwenze lamhla ngosizo lukaNkulunkulu.” Ngakho abantu bamhlenga uJonathani, kasabulawanga.


\par }{\PP \VS{46}USawuli wayekela ukuxotshana lamaFilistiya, njalo amaFilistiya abuyela elizweni lakibo.


\par }{\PP \VS{47}Kwathi uSawuli esebusa ko-Israyeli, walwa lezitha zabo inxa zonke: iMowabi, ama-Amoni, i-Edomi, amakhosi aseZobha kanye lamaFilistiya. Loba kungaphi lapho aya khona, wababhuqa.

\VS{48}Walwa ngesibindi wehlula ama-Amaleki, wakhulula u-Israyeli ezandleni zalabo ababebaphangile.


\par }{\SH Abendlu KaSawuli
\par }
{\PP \VS{49}Amadodana kaSawuli ayenguJonathani, lo-Ishivi kanye loMalikhi-Shuwa. Ibizo lendodakazi yakhe endala lalinguMerabi, elomcinyane linguMikhali.

\VS{50}Ibizo lomkakhe lalingu-Ahinowama indodakazi ka-Ahimazi. Umlawuli webutho likaSawuli wayengu-Abhineri indodana kaNeri, uNeri wayengumfowabo kayise kaSawuli.

\VS{51}UKhishi uyise kaSawuli, loNeri uyise ka-Abhineri babengamadodana ka-Abhiyeli.


\par }{\PP \VS{52}Kuzozonke insuku zikaSawuli kwakulempi enzima lamaFilistiya, njalo loba kungaphi uSawuli abona khona indoda elamandla kumbe elesibindi, wayingenisa ebuthweni lakhe.




\par }\Chap{15}{\SH {\ND{UThixo}} Wala USawuli Njengenkosi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}USamuyeli wathi kuSawuli, “Mina yimi engathunywa
{\ND{nguThixo}} ukuthi ngikugcobe ukuba yinkosi yabantu bakhe u-Israyeli; ngakho-ke khathesi lalela ilizwi elivela
{\ND{kuThixo}}.

\VS{2}Nanku okutshiwo
{\ND{nguThixo}} uSomandla: ‘Ama-Amaleki ngizawajezisa ngenxa yalokhu akwenzayo ku-Israyeli lapho abacathamela ekuphumeni kwabo eGibhithe.

\VS{3}Khathesi hamba uyehlasela ama-Amaleki uqede du konke okungokwawo. Ungawayekeli; bulala amadoda labafazi, abantwana lensane, inkomo lezimvu, amakamela kanye labobabhemi.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ngakho uSawuli wabiza abantu wababuthanisa eThelayimi, izinkulungwane ezimbili zebutho lezinyawo kanye lamadoda azinkulungwane ezilitshumi avela koJuda.

\VS{5}USawuli waya edolobheni lase-Amaleki bacathama edongeni.

\VS{6}Wasesithi kumaKheni, “Sukani, tshiyani ama-Amaleki ukuze ngingaliqothuli kanye lawo; ngoba lina latshengisa umusa kuwo wonke ama-Israyeli ekuphumeni kwawo eGibhithe.” Ngakho amaKheni asuka kuma-Amaleki.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Lapho-ke uSawuli wahlasela ama-Amaleki umango wonke kusukela eHavila kusiya eShuri, empumalanga kweGibhithe.

\VS{8}Wathumba u-Agagi inkosi yama-Amaleki ephila, kodwa bonke abantu bakhe wabaqothula ngokupheleleyo, ngenkemba.

\VS{9}Kodwa uSawuli lebutho kabambulalanga u-Agagi lezimvu ezinhle lenkomo, amathole anonileyo lamawundlu lakho konke okwakukuhle. Lokhu babengafisi ukukuqeda ngokupheleleyo, konke okwakuseyiseka lokungelasizo bakuqeda du.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Ilizwi
{\ND{likaThixo}} laselifika kuSamuyeli lisithi,

\VS{11}“Ngilusizi ngokuthi ngibeke uSawuli waba yinkosi, ngoba usengifulathele njalo kalandelanga imilayo yami.” USamuyeli wakhathazeka, wakhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}} bonke lobobusuku.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}USamuyeli wavuka ekuseni kakhulu ukuba ayebonana loSawuli, kodwa watshelwa ukuthi, “USawuli uye eKhameli. Uzibekele ilitshe lesikhumbuzo sakhe khonale wasephenduka esehlela eGiligali.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Kwathi uSamuyeli esemficile, uSawuli wathi, “{\ND{Uthixo}} kakubusise! Sengikwenzile engikulaywe
{\ND{nguThixo}}.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Kodwa uSamuyeli wathi, “Pho ukukhala kwezimvu ezindlebeni zami lokhu kuyini na? Kuyini ukubhonsa kwezinkomo lokhu engikuzwayo na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}USawuli waphendula wathi, “Amabutho azilethe zivela kuma-Amaleki; agcine izimvu ezinhle lenkomo ukuba azenze umhlatshelo
{\ND{kuThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho, kodwa ezinye sizikhucule.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}USamuyeli wathi kuSawuli, “Mana! Wothi ngikutshele okutshiwo
{\ND{nguThixo}} kimi ebusuku obedluleyo.”

\par }{\PP USawuli waphendula wathi, “Ngitshela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}USamuyeli wasesithi, “Lanxa wazibona umncane, kawuzange ube yinhloko yezizwana zako-Israyeli na?
{\ND{Uthixo}} wakugcoba ukuba ube yinkosi ko-Israyeli.

\VS{18}Njalo wakuthuma emsebenzini, esithi, ‘Hamba uyeqothula abantu labayana ababi, ama-Amaleki, uvuse impi labo uze ubaqede du.’

\VS{19}Pho kungani ungalalelanga
{\ND{uThixo}}? Kungani uzithathele impango wenza okubi phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}USawuli wathi, “Kodwa mina ngimlalele
{\ND{uThixo}}. Ngihambile emsebenzini
{\ND{uThixo}} anginike wona. Ama-Amaleki ngiwaqede du, ngabuya lo-Agagi inkosi yawo.

\VS{21}Amabutho athatha izimvu lenkomo empangweni, ezinhle zalezo ezazahlukaniselwe uNkulunkulu, ukuze zenziwe umhlatshelo
{\ND{kuThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho eGiligali.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Kodwa uSamuyeli waphendula wathi:

\par }{\Q “Kambe
{\ND{uThixo}} uthokozela

\par }{\QB iminikelo yokutshiswa lemihlatshelo

\par }{\QB ngokunjengokulalela ilizwi
{\ND{likaThixo}} na?

\par }{\Q Ukulalela kungcono kulomhlatshelo,

\par }{\QB lokukhathalela kungcono kulamahwahwa enqama.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Ngoba ukuhlamuka kufana lesono sokuhlahlula,

\par }{\QB lobuqholo bufana lobubi bokukhonza izithombe.

\par }{\Q Ngoba ilizwi
{\ND{likaThixo}} ulalile,

\par }{\QB usekwalile njengenkosi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}USawuli wasesithi kuSamuyeli, “Ngenzile isono. Ngephule umlayo
{\ND{kaThixo}} leziqondiso zakho. Ngesabe abantu ngavumela okwabo.

\VS{25}Khathesi-ke ngiyakucela, thethelela isono sami ubuyele emuva lami, ukuze ngikhonze
{\ND{uThixo}}.”


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Kodwa uSamuyeli wathi kuye, “Angiyikubuyela emuva lawe. Ilizwi
{\ND{likaThixo}} ulalile, njalo
{\ND{uThixo}} usekwalile njengombusi wako-Israyeli!”


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Kwathi uSamuyeli ephenduka ukuba asuke, uSawuli wabamba umphetho wesembatho sakhe, sasesidabuka.

\VS{28}USamuyeli wathi kuye, “{\ND{Uthixo}} usewudabule kuwe lamhla umbuso wako-Israyeli, njalo usewunike omunye wabomakhelwane bakho, lowo ongcono kulawe.

\VS{29}Yena oyiNkazimulo ka-Israyeli kaqambi manga kumbe aguqule ingqondo yakhe, ngoba kasumuntu ukuba aguqule ingqondo yakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{30}USawuli waphendula wathi, “Ngenzile isono. Kodwa ake ungihloniphe phambi kwabadala babantu bami laphambi kuka-Israyeli; buyela lami, ukuze ngiyekhonza
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho.”

\VS{31}Ngakho uSamuyeli wabuyela loSawuli wasekhonza
{\ND{uThixo}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{32}USamuyeli wasesithi, “Ngilethelani u-Agagi inkosi yama-Amaleki.”

\par }{\PP U-Agagi waya kuye ngokwethemba ecabanga esithi, “Impela intukuthelo yokufa isiphelile.”


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Kodwa uSamuyeli wathi,

\par }{\Q “Njengoba inkemba yakho yenze abesifazane baswela abantwana,

\par }{\QB ngokunjalo unyoko kazukuba lomntwana phakathi kwabesifazane.”

\par }{\MM USamuyeli wambulala u-Agagi phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} eGiligali.


\par }{\PP \VS{34}Emva kwalokho uSamuyeli wasuka waya eRama, kodwa uSawuli waya emzini wakhe eGibhiya yakoSawuli.

\VS{35}USamuyeli kwaze kwaba lusuku lokufa kwakhe engazange ayembona uSawuli futhi, lanxa uSamuyeli wamlilela uSawuli.
{\ND{Uthixo}} wakhathazeka ngokuthi wayenze uSawuli waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli.




\par }\Chap{16}{\SH USamuyeli Ugcoba UDavida
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}{\ND{Uthixo}} wathi kuSamuyeli, “Koze kube nini ulilela uSawuli, lokhu mina ngimalile ekubeni yinkosi yako-Israyeli? Gcwalisa uphondo lwakho ngamafutha uhambe; ngiyakuthuma kuJese eBhethilehema. Sengikhethe enye yamadodana akhe ukuba yinkosi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Kodwa uSamuyeli wathi, “Ngingahamba kanjani na? USawuli uzakuzwa ngakho angibulale.”

\par }{\PP {\ND{Uthixo}} wathi, “Thatha ithokazi uhambe lalo uthi, ‘Ngilande ukuzahlabela
{\ND{uThixo}}.’

\VS{3}Biza uJese eze emhlatshelweni, mina ngizakutshengisa ozakwenza. Uzangigcobela lowo engizamphawula.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}USamuyeli wenza lokho okwakutshiwo
{\ND{nguThixo}}. Kwathi efika eBhethilehema abadala bomuzi bamhlangabeza beqhaqhazela. Bambuza bathi, “Uza ngokuthula na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}USamuyeli waphendula wathi, “Ye, ngokuthula; ngilande ukuzanikela umhlatshelo
{\ND{kuThixo}}. Zingcweliseni lihambe lami emhlatshelweni.” Emva kwalokho wangcwelisa uJese lamadodana akhe wasebabizela emhlatshelweni.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ekufikeni kwabo uSamuyeli wabona u-Eliyabi wacabanga wathi, “Impela ogcotshiweyo
{\ND{kaThixo}} umi lapha phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} wathi kuSamuyeli, “Ungakhangeli isimo sakhe loba ubude bakhe, ngoba ngimalile.
{\ND{Uthixo}} kakhangeli izinto ezikhangelwa ngabantu. Abantu bakhangela isimo somuntu, kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} ukhangela inhliziyo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UJese wabiza u-Abhinadabi wamdlulisa phambi kukaSamuyeli. Kodwa uSamuyeli wathi, “Lalo
{\ND{uThixo}} kamkhethanga.”

\VS{9}UJese wedlulisa uShama eduzane, kodwa uSamuyeli wathi, “Layenalo
{\ND{uThixo}} kamkhethanga.”

\VS{10}UJese wadlulisa amadodana akhe ayisikhombisa phambi kukaSamuyeli, kodwa uSamuyeli wathi kuye, “Laba
{\ND{uThixo}} kabakhethanga.”

\VS{11}Ngakho wabuza uJese wathi, “La yiwo wonke amadodana olawo na?”

\par }{\PP UJese waphendula wathi, “Kusekhona encinyane, kodwa yelusa izimvu.”

\par }{\PP USamuyeli wathi, “Thuma omunye ayembiza; kasiyikuhlala phansi aze afike.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Ngakho wathuma omunye wayalethwa. Wayebomvana, ebukeka njalo elesimo esihle.

\par }{\PP {\ND{Uthixo}} wasesithi, “Sukuma umgcobe; nguye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ngakho uSamuyeli wathatha uphondo lwamafutha wamgcoba labanewabo bekhona; njalo kusukela ngalelolanga kusiya phambili, uMoya
{\ND{kaThixo}} wafika kuDavida ulamandla. Emva kwalokho uSamuyeli waya eRama.


\par }{\SH UDavida Emsebenzini KaSawuli
\par }
{\PP \VS{14}Ngalesosikhathi uMoya
{\ND{kaThixo}} wawususukile kuSawuli, umoya omubi owavela
{\ND{kuThixo}} usumhlukuluza.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Izinceku zikaSawuli zathi kuye, “Khangela, umoya omubi ovela kuNkulunkulu uyakuhlukuluza.

\VS{16}Akuthi inkosi yethu ilaye izinceku zayo ezilapha ukuba ziyidingele umuntu okwaziyo ukutshaya ichacho. Uzalitshaya lapho umoya omubi ovela kuNkulunkulu ufika kuwe; uzakuzwa ngcono.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Ngakho uSawuli wathi ezincekwini zakhe, “Dingani umuntu otshaya kuhle limlethe kimi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Enye yezinceku zakhe yaphendula yathi, “Ngibone indodana kaJese waseBhethilehema ekwaziyo ukutshaya ichacho. Iyindoda elesibindi elibutho futhi. Ikhuluma kuhle njalo ilijaha elibukekayo.
{\ND{LoThixo}} uyivikele.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}USawuli wathuma izithunywa kuJese wathi, “Thumela kimi indodana yakho uDavida, owelusa izimvu.”

\VS{20}Ngakho uJese wathatha ubabhemi ethwele izinkwa, umgodla wewayini lezinyane lembuzi wakuthumela lendodana yakhe uDavida kuSawuli.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}UDavida wafika kuSawuli wangena emsebenzini wakhe uSawuli wamthanda kakhulu, njalo uDavida waba ngomunye wabathwali bezikhali zakhe.

\VS{22}USawuli wathumela ilizwi kuJese, elithi, “Vumela uDavida ukuba ahlale emsebenzini wami, ngoba ngiyathokoza ngaye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Kwakusithi umoya omubi ovela kuNkulunkulu ungafika kuSawuli, uDavida athathe ichacho lakhe alitshaye. Lapho-ke uSawuli wayephumula; ezwe ngcono, lomoya omubi usuke kuye.




\par }\Chap{17}{\SH UDavida LoGoliyathi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngalesosikhathi amaFilistiya aqoqa amabutho awo ukuba alwe impi, asebuthana eSokho koJuda. Enza izihonqo e-Efesi Damimi, phakathi kweSokho le-Azekha.

\VS{2}USawuli labako-Israyeli bamisa izihonqo eSigodini sase-Ela, bahlela ukuba balwe impi lamaFilistiya.

\VS{3}AmaFilistiya ayemi kolunye uqaqa abako-Israyeli labo bekolunye, kulesigodi phakathi kwabo.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Iqhawe elalithiwa nguGoliyathi, owayevela eGathi, waphuma ezihonqweni zamaFilistiya. Ubude bakhe babuzingalo eziyisithupha lesandla.

\VS{5}Wayelengowane yethusi ekhanda lakhe, egqoke ibhatshi lokuvikela elethusi elaliyizinkulungwane ezinhlanu zamashekeli ubunzima balo,

\VS{6}emibaleni yakhe wayegqoke imigwamazi yethusi, emhlane egaxe umkhonto wethusi.

\VS{7}Uluthi lomkhonto wakhe lwalunjengogodo lomaluki, ubunzima besihloko sawo sensimbi bungamashekeli angamakhulu ayisithupha. Umthwali wehawu lakhe wayehamba phambidlana kwakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UGoliyathi wema wamemezela emaviyweni ako-Israyeli esithi, “Kungani liphumele ukuzakulwa impi na? KangisumFilistiya yini, njalo lina kalisizo zinceku zikaSawuli na? Khethani umuntu azeqondana lami.

\VS{9}Nxa ezakulwa angibulale, sizakuba yizigqili zenu; kodwa ngingamehlula ngimbulale, lizakuba yizigqili zethu lisikhonze.”

\VS{10}UmFilistiya wabuya wathi, “Lamhlanje ngiyaweyisa amaviyo ako-Israyeli! Ngiphani umuntu siqondane silwe.”

\VS{11}Ekuzweni amazwi omFilistiya, uSawuli labo bonke abako-Israyeli besaba bathuthumela.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}UDavida wayeyindoda yomʼEfrathi owayethiwa nguJese, owayengowase Bhethilehema koJuda. UJese wayelamadodana ayisificaminwembili, njalo ngezinsuku zikaSawuli wayesemdala eseluphele kakhulu.

\VS{13}Amadodana amathathu amadala kaJese ayelandele uSawuli empini: Izibulo kwakungu-Eliyabi; owesibili kungu-Abhinadabi; owesithathu kunguShama.

\VS{14}UDavida wayengomncane wabo. Abathathu abadala balandela uSawuli,

\VS{15}kodwa uDavida wasuka kuSawuli wabuyela ukuba ayekwelusa izimvu zikayise eBhethilehema.


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Okwensuku ezingamatshumi amane umFilistiya wayesiya phambili nsuku zonke ekuseni lakusihlwa ajame.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}UJese wasesithi kuDavida indodana yakhe, “Thathela abanewenu ihefa lomumbu okhanzingiweyo kanye lezinkwa lezi ezilitshumi uzise masinyane ezihonqweni zabo.

\VS{18}Hamba lalezizinkwa zetshizi ezilitshumi kumlawuli weviyo labo. Bona ukuthi abanewenu banjani, ubuye lesiqiniselo esivela kubo.

\VS{19}BaloSawuli kanye labantu bonke bako-Israyeli eSigodini sase-Ela, besilwa lamaFilistiya.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Ekuseni kakhulu uDavida watshiya umhlambi wezimvu ulomelusi, wathwala umthwalo wasuka wahamba, njengokulaya kukaJese. Wafika ezihonqweni ibutho liphuma ukuba liye ezindaweni zalo zempi, limemeza isaga sempi.

\VS{21}U-Israyeli lamaFilistiya babedweba imikhandlu yabo bekhangelene.

\VS{22}UDavida watshiya izinto zakhe kumgcini wezimpahla, wagijimela emaviyweni empi wayabingelela abanewabo.

\VS{23}Esabakhulumisa, uGoliyathi, iqhawe lamaFilistiya elaseGathi, waphuma kuviyo lakhe, wamemezela ukweyisa kwakhe kwenjayelo, loDavida wakuzwa.

\VS{24}Kwathi abako-Israyeli bebona umuntu lowo, bonke bambalekela ngokwesaba okukhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Abako-Israyeli babekade besithi, “Liyambona yini umuntu lo ukuthi uqhubeka njani elokhu ephuma? Uyaphuma ukuba eyise u-Israyeli. Inkosi izamnika inotho enengi umuntu ozambulala. Izamnika lendodakazi yayo ukuba ayithathe, ikhulule labendlu kayise emithelweni ko-Israyeli.”


\par }{\PP \VS{26}UDavida wabuza indoda eyayimi phansi kwakhe wathi, “Kuyini okuzakwenzelwa umuntu obulala umFilistiya lo asuse lehlazo leli ku-Israyeli na? Ungubani umFilistiya lo ongasokanga oweyisa amabutho kaNkulunkulu ophilayo na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Bakutsho futhi kuye ababekade bemtshela khona bathi, “Nanku okuzakwenzelwa umuntu ombulalayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Kwathi lapho u-Eliyabi, umnewabo omdala kaDavida, emuzwa ekhuluma lalawomadoda, wamthukuthelela kakhulu wambuza wathi, “Uzefunani lapha na? Njalo izimvu leziyana ezilutshwane uzitshiye lobani enkangala na? Ngiyakwazi ukuthi uzikhukhumeza njani kanye lokuthi inhliziyo yakho imbi kanjani, ulande ukuzabona impi nje kuphela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{29}UDavida wathi, “Manje sengenzeni kanti? Angivunyelwa yini ukukhuluma?”

\VS{30}Emva kwalokho waphendukela komunye, watsho lutho lunye, umuntu lowo wamphendula njengakuqala.

\VS{31}Okwakutshiwo nguDavida kwazwakala njalo kwabikwa kuSawuli, uSawuli wathi kabizwe.


\par }{\PP \VS{32}UDavida wathi kuSawuli, “Akungabi lomuntu ophelelwa lithemba ngenxa yomFilistiya lo; inceku yakho izakuyakulwa laye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{33}USawuli waphendula wathi, “Kawanelisi ukuyamelana lomFilistiya lo ulwe laye; wena ungumfana nje, yena kade waba ngumuntu wokulwa kusukela ebutsheni bakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{34}Kodwa uDavida wathi kuSawuli, “Inceku yakho yayiselusa izimvu zikayise. Kwathi kufike isilwane kumbe ibhele lajwamula imvu emhlambini,

\VS{35}ngalilandela, ngalitshaya ngahlenga imvu emlonyeni walo. Lathi liyangihlasela ngalidumela ngoboya balo, ngalitshaya ngalibulala.

\VS{36}Inceku yakho seyabulala kokubili isilwane lebhele; umFilistiya lo ongasokanga uzakuba njengokunye kwakho, ngoba weyise amabutho kaNkulunkulu ophilayo.

\VS{37}{\ND{Uthixo}} owangikhululayo enzitsheni zesilwane lasenzitsheni zebhele uzangikhulula esandleni somFilistiya lo.”

\par }{\PP USawuli wathi kuDavida, “Hamba,
{\ND{uThixo}} kabe lawe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{38}Emva kwalokho uSawuli wagqokisa uDavida ibhatshi lakhe. Wamgqokisa lesivikelo sensimbi kanye lengowane yethusi ekhanda lakhe.

\VS{39}UDavida wabophela inkemba yakhe phezu kwesembatho setshunika wazama ukuhambahamba, ngoba wayengazejwayelanga.

\par }{\PP Wathi kuSawuli, “Angingeke ngihambe ngigqoke lokhu, ngoba angikwejwayelanga.” Ngakho wakukhupha.

\VS{40}Emva kwalokho wathatha umqwayi wakhe, wakhetha amatshe abutshelezi amahlanu esifuleni. Wawabeka esikhwameni somxhaka wakhe wokwelusa, njalo ephethe isavutha wamlanda umFilistiya.


\par }{\PP \VS{41}Ngasikhathi sinye, umFilistiya, umthwali wehawu lakhe ephambi kwakhe, wayelokhu esondela eduze kukaDavida.

\VS{42}Wamkhangela uDavida wabona ukuthi wayengumfana nje, ebomvana emuhle, wameyisa.

\VS{43}Wasesithi kuDavida, “Kanti ngiyinja yini, usiza kimi uphethe izinti?” UmFilistiya waqalekisa uDavida ngabonkulunkulu bakibo.

\VS{44}Wathi, “Woza lapha, ngizanika izinyoni zasemoyeni lezinyamazana zeganga inyama yakho!”


\par }{\PP \VS{45}UDavida wathi kumFilistiya, “Wena uzemelana lami ngenkemba lomkhonto kanye lomdikadika, kodwa mina ngizemelana lawe ngebizo
{\ND{likaThixo}} uSomandla, uNkulunkulu wamabutho ka-Israyeli wena omeyisayo.

\VS{46}Lamhla
{\ND{uThixo}} uzakunikela kimi, ngizakulahla phansi ngiqume ikhanda lakho. Lamhlanje izinyoni zasemoyeni lezinyamazana zasemhlabeni ngizazinika izidumbu zebutho lamaFilistiya, njalo umhlaba wonke uzakwazi ukuthi kuloNkulunkulu ko-Israyeli.

\VS{47}Bonke labo ababuthene lapha bazakwazi ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} kahlengi ngenkemba loba ngomkhonto, ngoba impi ngekaThixo, njalo lonke uzalinikela ezandleni zethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{48}Kwathi umFilistiya esondela eduze ukuba amhlasele, uDavida ngokuphangisa wagijimela phambili endaweni yokulwela ukuba amhlangabeze.

\VS{49}UDavida wangenisa isandla sakhe emxhakeni wakhe wathatha ilitshe, waliphosa ngesavutha latshaya umFilistiya ebunzini. Ilitshe latshona ebunzini lakhe, wawela phansi ngobuso.


\par }{\PP \VS{50}UDavida wamnqoba kanjalo umFilistiya ngesavutha langelitshe; engelankemba esandleni sakhe wamlahla phansi umFilistiya wambulala.


\par }{\PP \VS{51}UDavida wagijima wema phezu kwakhe. Wabamba inkemba yomFilistiya wayihwatsha esikhwameni sayo. Esembulele, waquma ikhanda lakhe ngenkemba.

\par }{\PP Kwathi amaFilistiya ebona ukuthi iqhawe lawo laselifile, aphenduka abaleka.

\VS{52}Lapho-ke abantu bako-Israyeli labakoJuda balangathela besiya phambili bememeza, baxotshana lamaFilistiya baze bayafika entubeni lasemasangweni ase-Ekroni. Abafileyo bakibo babegcwele emgwaqweni waseShaharayimu kusiya eGathi lase-Ekroni.

\VS{53}Kwathi abako-Israyeli sebephendukile ekuxotsheni amaFilistiya, baphanga izihonqo zawo.


\par }{\PP \VS{54}UDavida wathatha ikhanda lomFilistiya, walisa eJerusalema, wabeka izikhali zomFilistiya ethenteni lakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{55}Kwathi uSawuli ekhangele uDavida esiyahlangana lomFilistiya, wathi ku-Abhineri, umlawuli webutho, “Abhineri, ijaha leliyana liyindodana kabani na?”

\par }{\PP U-Abhineri waphendula wathi, “Ngeqiniso elinjengoba uphila, nkosi, angazi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{56}Inkosi yasisithi, “Buza ukuthi ijaha leli liyindodana kabani.”


\par }{\PP \VS{57}Kwathi khonokho nje uDavida esevela ekubulaleni umFilistiya, u-Abhineri wamthatha wamusa kuSawuli, uDavida elokhu ephethe ikhanda lomFilistiya.


\par }{\PP \VS{58}USawuli wambuza wathi, “Uyindodana kabani, jaha?”

\par }{\PP UDavida wathi, “Ngiyindodana yenceku yakho uJese waseBhethilehema.”




\par }\Chap{18}{\SH Umhawu KaSawuli NgoDavida
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Emva kokuba uDavida eseqedile ukukhuluma loSawuli, uJonathani waba moya munye loDavida, wamthanda njengoba ezithanda yena ngokwakhe.

\VS{2}Kusukela ngalolosuku uSawuli wahlala loDavida akaze amvumela ukubuyela endlini kayise.

\VS{3}Njalo uJonathani wenza isivumelwano loDavida ngoba wayemthanda njengoba ezithanda yena ngokwakhe.

\VS{4}UJonathani wakhupha isembatho ayesigqokile wasinika uDavida, lebhatshi lakhe, lenkemba yakhe, idandili lakhe kanye lebhanti lakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Loba kuyini uSawuli amthuma ukuba akwenze, uDavida wakwenza ngokuphumelela uSawuli waze wamnika isikhundla esikhulu ebuthweni. Lokhu kwathokozisa abantu bonke, kanye lezikhulu zikaSawuli.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Kwathi abantu sebebuyela ekhaya emva kokuba uDavida esebulele umFilistiya, abesifazane baphuma kuyo yonke imizi yako-Israyeli bahlangabeza inkosi uSawuli ngokuhlabela lokugida, ngezingoma zokuthokoza lamagedla kanye lemitshingo.

\VS{7}Ekugideni kwabo bahlabela besithi:

\par }{\Q “USawuli ubulele izinkulungwane zakhe,

\par }{\QB kodwa uDavida ubulele amatshumi ezinkulungwane zakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}USawuli wazonda kakhulu, amazwi la amthukuthelisa. Wacabanga wathi, “Badumisa uDavida ngamatshumi ezinkulungwane, kodwa mina ngezinkulungwane kuphela nje. Kuyini okunye angakuzuza ngaphandle kombuso na?”

\VS{9}Kusukela ngalelolanga kusiya phambili uSawuli wakhangela uDavida ngelihlo elilomhawu.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Ngelanga elalandelayo umoya omubi wavela kuNkulunkulu wehlela phezu kukaSawuli ngamandla. Wayephrofetha endlini yakhe, lapho uDavida wayetshaya ichacho njengenjwayelo yakhe. USawuli wayephethe umkhonto ngesandla sakhe,

\VS{11}wawuphosa esithi, “UDavida ngizambambanisa lomduli.” Kodwa uDavida wavika kwaze kwaba kabili.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}USawuli wayemesaba uDavida ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} wayeloDavida kodwa esemdelile uSawuli.

\VS{13}Ngakho wamsusa uDavida kuye wamenza umlawuli wabantu abayinkulungwane; njalo uDavida wakhokhela amabutho ekuhlaseleni kwawo.

\VS{14}Kukho konke akwenzayo waphumelela kakhulu, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} wayelaye.

\VS{15}Kwathi uSawuli ebona ukuphumelela kwakhe, wamesaba.

\VS{16}Kodwa wonke u-Israyeli loJuda wamthanda uDavida, ngoba wabakhokhela ekuhlaseleni kwabo.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}USawuli wasesithi kuDavida, “Nansi indodakazi yami endala uMerabi; ngizakwendisela yona ukuba ibe ngumkakho; wena ungisebenzele ngesibindi kuphela njalo ulwe izimpi
{\ND{zikaThixo}}.” Ngoba uSawuli wakhuluma yedwa wathi, “Kangiyikumphakamisela isandla. AmaFilistiya kawenze lokho!”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Kodwa uDavida wathi kuSawuli, “Ngingubani mina labendlu yakwethu bayini, loba isizwana sikababa ko-Israyeli, ukuba ngibe ngumkhwenyana wenkosi na?”

\VS{19}Kodwa kwathi isikhathi sesifikile esokuba uMerabi, indodakazi kaSawuli, aphiwe uDavida, waphiwa u-Adiriyeli waseMehola ukuba abe ngumkakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Ngalesosikhathi uMikhali, indodakazi kaSawuli, wayemthanda uDavida, njalo kwathi uSawuli bemtshela ngakho, wathaba.

\VS{21}Wacabanga wathi, “Ngizamnika yena ukuba abe ngumjibila kuye lokuze isandla samaFilistiya simelane laye.” Ngakho uSawuli wathi kuDavida, “Khathesi usulethuba lesibili lokuba ngumkhwenyana wami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}USawuli walaya inceku zakhe wathi, “Khulumani loDavida ngasese lithi, ‘Khangela, inkosi iyathokoza ngawe, lenceku zayo zonke ziyakuthanda; ngakho woba ngumkhwenyana wayo.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Zawatsho amazwi la kuDavida kodwa uDavida wathi, “Licabanga ukuthi kuyinto encane ukuba ngumkhwenyana wenkosi na? Mina ngingumuntukazana njalo ongeladumo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Kwathi izinceku zikaSawuli sezimtshelile okwakutshiwo nguDavida,

\VS{25}uSawuli waphendula wathi, “Alibokuthi kuDavida, ‘Inkosi kayifuni enye inhlawulo yamalobolo ngaphandle kwamajwabu ezitho zangaphambili zamaFilistiya alikhulu, ukuba iphindisele ezitheni zayo.’ ” Icebo likaSawuli lalingelokuthi uDavida afe ebulawa ngamaFilistiya.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Kwathi inceku sezimtshelile uDavida izinto lezi, wathokoza ukuba ngumkhwenyana wenkosi. Ngakho kwathi isikhathi esasibekiwe singakedluli,

\VS{27}uDavida labantu bakhe basuka bayabulala amaFilistiya angamakhulu amabili. Weza lamajwabu emiphambili yawo waqhubela inkosi inani elipheleleyo ukuze abe ngumkhwenyana wenkosi. USawuli wamendisela-ke indodakazi yakhe uMikhali ukuba ngumkakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Kwathi uSawuli ebona ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} wayeloDavida kanye lokuthi indodakazi yakhe, uMikhali, yayimthanda uDavida,

\VS{29}uSawuli wabuye wamesaba kakhulu, njalo waba yisitha sakhe impilo yakhe yonke.


\par }{\PP \VS{30}Abalawuli bamaFilistiya baqhubeka besiyakulwa izimpi, njalo izikhathi zonke bephuma, uDavida waba lokuphumelela okwedlula ezinye izikhulu zikaSawuli, lebizo lakhe laba lodumo.




\par }\Chap{19}{\SH USawuli Ufuna Ukubulala UDavida
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}USawuli watshela indodana yakhe uJonathani kanye lezinceku zonke ukuba babulale uDavida. Kodwa uJonathani wayemthanda uDavida

\VS{2}ngakho wamxwayisa wathi, “Ubaba uSawuli udinga ithuba lokukubulala. Qaphela kusasa ekuseni; hamba uyecatsha uhlale khona.

\VS{3}Mina ngizaphuma ngiyekuma lobaba egangeni lapho okhona. Ngizakhuluma laye ngawe njalo ngizakutshela lokho engizakuthola.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}UJonathani wakhuluma kuhle ngoDavida kuSawuli uyise wathi kuye, “Inkosi kayingenzi okubi encekwini yayo uDavida, konanga lutho kuwe, njalo akwenzileyo kukusize kakhulu.

\VS{5}Wadela impilo yakhe ekubulaleni kwakhe umFilistiya.
{\ND{Uthixo}} wazuzela u-Israyeli ukunqoba okukhulu, lawe wakubona njalo wathaba. Pho kungani ungenza okubi emuntwini omsulwa njengoDavida ngokumbulala kungelasizatho na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}USawuli wamlalela uJonathani wasefunga isifungo lesi esithi, “Ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ekhona, uDavida kayikubulawa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Ngakho uJonathani wabiza uDavida wamtshela inkulumo yonke. Wamusa kuSawuli, uDavida wahlala loSawuli njengakuqala.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Kwabuya kwaba lempi futhi, uDavida waphuma ukuyakulwa lamaFilistiya. Wawatshaya ngamandla amakhulu aze abaleka.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kodwa umoya omubi owavela
{\ND{kuThixo}} wafika kuSawuli ehlezi endlini yakhe ephethe umkhonto wakhe ngesandla. Kwathi uDavida etshaya ichacho,

\VS{10}uSawuli wazama ukumnamathisela emdulini ngomkhonto wakhe, kodwa uDavida wavika uSawuli wagwaza umduli ngomkhonto. Ngalobobusuku uDavida waphunyuka wabaleka.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}USawuli wathuma izithunywa endlini kaDavida ukuba bayilinde njalo bambulale ekuseni. Kodwa uMikhali, umkaDavida, wamxwayisa wathi, “Nxa ungabaleki ngalobubusuku ukuba uvikele impilo yakho kusasa uzabulawa.”

\VS{12}Ngakho uMikhali wehlisela uDavida phansi emkhuphe ngefasitela, wabaleka-ke waphepha.

\VS{13}Emva kwalokho uMikhali wathatha isithombe wasilalisa embhedeni, wasembesa ngengubo ebeke uboya bembuzi ekhanda.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}USawuli esethume abantu ukuba bayethumba uDavida, uMikhali wathi, “Uyagula.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}USawuli wababuyisela abantu labo ukuba bayebona uDavida esithi kubo, “Mletheni kimi ngombheda wakhe ukuze ngimbulale.”

\VS{16}Kodwa kwathi amadoda lawo engena, embhedeni kwakulesithombe, ekhanda kuloboya bembuzi.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}USawuli wathi kuMikhali, “Kungani ungikhohlise kanje wabalekisa isitha sami ukuze siphephe?”

\par }{\PP UMikhali wathi kuye, “Uthe kimi, ‘Yekela ngibaleke. Ngingakubulalelani na?’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}UDavida esebaleke waphepha, waya kuSamuyeli eRama wamtshela konke okwakwenziwe nguSawuli kuye. Ngakho yena loSamuyeli baya eNayothi bahlala khona.

\VS{19}Ilizwi lafika kuSawuli lisithi: “UDavida useNayothi eRama.”

\VS{20}Ngakho wathuma abantu ukuba bayemthumba. Kodwa bathi bebona ixuku labaphrofethi liphrofitha, loSamuyeli emi khonapho njengomkhokheli wabo, uMoya kaNkulunkulu wehlela ebantwini bakaSawuli labo baphrofetha.

\VS{21}USawuli wakutshelwa lokho wasethuma abanye abantu, labo baphrofetha. USawuli wathuma abantu okwesithathu, labo futhi baphrofetha.

\VS{22}Ekucineni, yena ngokwakhe wasuka waya eRama, wasesiya emgodini omkhulu eSekhu. Wabuza wathi, “USamuyeli loDavida bangaphi?”

\par }{\PP Bathi, “Le eNayothi eRama.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Ngakho uSawuli waya eNayothi eRama. Kodwa uMoya kaNkulunkulu wehlela lakuye, wahamba ephrofitha waze wayafika eNayothi.

\VS{24}Wakhulula izigqoko zakhe laye waphrofitha uSamuyeli ekhona. Walala enjalo ilanga lonke lobusuku bonke. Yikho-nje abantu besithi, “Kanti uSawuli laye uphakathi kwabaphrofethi na?”




\par }\Chap{20}{\SH UDavida LoJonathani
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UDavida wabaleka eNayothi eRama waya kuJonathani wabuza wathi, “Kanti ngenzeni na? Icala lami ngelani na? Uyihlo ngimone kanjani, okwenza afune ukungibulala?”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}UJonathani waphendula wathi, “Hatshi bo! Kawuyikufa! Khangela, ubaba kenzi lutho, olukhulu loba oluncane, engangitshelanga. Kungani engangifihlela lokhu na? Akunjalo!”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kodwa uDavida wenza isifungo wathi, “Uyihlo ukwazi kakuhle ukuthi mina sengithole umusa kuwe njalo usezitshele wathi, ‘UJonathani akumelanga akwazi lokhu hlezi ezwe ubuhlungu.’ Ikanti ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ekhona lanjengoba lawe ukhona, kulenyathelo elilodwa nje phakathi kwami lokufa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}UJonathani wathi kuDavida, “Loba kuyini ofuna ukuthi ngikwenze, ngizakwenzela khona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Ngakho uDavida wathi, “Khangela, kusasa kuledili lokuThwasa kweNyanga, njalo kumele ngidle lenkosi; kodwa yekela ngiyecatsha egangeni kuze kube kusihlwa phambi kwakusasa.

\VS{6}Nxa uyihlo ezangiswela, mtshele uthi, ‘UDavida ucele imvumo kimi ngokutshiseka ukuba ake agijimele eBhethilehema, idolobho lakibo, ngoba umhlatshelo wesizwana sonke sakibo uyenziwa khona.’

\VS{7}Angathi, ‘Kulungile,’ inceku yakho kayiyikuba sengozini. Kodwa angavuka ulaka woba leqiniso ukuthi uzimisele ukwenza okubi kimi.

\VS{8}Kodwa wena, bonakalisa isisa encekwini yakho ngoba uyenzise isivumelwano lawe phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}. Nxa ngilecala, ngibulala wena ngokwakho! Kungani ungiqhubela kuyihlo na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UJonathani wathi, “Hatshi bo! Kambe aluba bengilolwazi oluncane ukuthi ubaba uzimisele ukwenza okubi kuwe, kade ngingasoze ngikutshele na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}UDavida wabuza wathi, “Ngubani ozangitshela nxa uyihlo ekuphendula kubi na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}UJonathani wathi, “Woza, kasiye egangeni.” Ngakho baya khonale bobabili.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}UJonathani wasesithi kuDavida, “Ngifunga
{\ND{ngoThixo}}, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ngempela ubaba ngizakuba sengimzwile ngalesisikhathi ngomhlomunye! Nxa elomusa kuwe, kambe kangiyikuthumela ilizwi ngikwazise na?

\VS{13}Kodwa nxa ubaba ehlose ukwenza okubi kuwe,
{\ND{uThixo}} kangijezise, kube nzima kakhulu, nxa ngingakwazisi njalo ngikususe kungekho ngozi. Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angaba lawe njengoba kade elobaba.

\VS{14}Kodwa ngibonise umusa ongapheliyo
{\ND{onjengokaThixo}} isikhathi sonke ngisaphila, ukuze ngingabulawa,

\VS{15}njalo ungasusi umusa wakho kwabendlu yakwethu lanxa
{\ND{uThixo}} eseziqede du zonke izitha zikaDavida ebusweni bomhlaba.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Ngakho uJonathani wenza isivumelwano labendlu kaDavida, esithi, “Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angazethesa amacala izitha zikaDavida.”

\VS{17}UJonathani wabuya wamfungisa futhi uDavida isifungo sakhe ngenxa yothando lwakhe kuye, ngoba wayemthanda njengokuzithanda kwakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}UJonathani wasesithi kuDavida, “Kusasa kuledili lokuThwasa kweNyanga. Uzaswelakala ngoba isihlalo sakho sizabe singelamuntu.

\VS{19}Phambi kwakusasa, sekuzakuhlwa, yana lapho owacatsha khona ekuqaliseni kwaloluhlupho, ulinde elitsheni e-Ezeli.

\VS{20}Mina ngizatshokela imitshoko emithathu eceleni kwalo angathi ngitshokela kwengihlose kukho.

\VS{21}Emva kwalokho ngizathuma umfana ngithi, ‘Hamba uyedinga imitshoko.’ Ngingathi kuye, ‘Khangela, imitshoko ingakuleli icele lakho, ilethe lapha,’ lapho-ke woza, ngoba ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ekhona, uphephile, akulangozi.

\VS{22}Kodwa ngingathi emfaneni, ‘Khangela, imitshoko ingale kwakho,’ lapho-ke kumele uhambe, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} uthe suka uhambe.

\VS{23}Njalo mayelana lalindaba esiyikhulumileyo mina lawe, khumbula ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} ungufakazi phakathi kwakho lami nini lanini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Ngakho uDavida wacatsha egangeni, njalo kwathi idili lokuThwasa kweNyanga selifikile, inkosi yahlala phansi yadla.

\VS{25}Yayihlezi endaweni yayo yezikhathi zonke phansi komduli, maqondana loJonathani, u-Abhineri ehlezi eduze loSawuli, kodwa indawo kaDavida yayingelamuntu.

\VS{26}USawuli katshongo lutho mhlalokho, ngoba wacabanga wathi, “Mhlawumbe kulento ethile eyehlele kuDavida yamenza waba ngongahlambulukanga ngokomkhuba, ngeqiniso kahlambulukanga.”

\VS{27}Kodwa ngelanga elilandelayo, ilanga lesibili lenyanga, indawo kaDavida yayingelamuntu futhi. Lapho-ke uSawuli wathi endodaneni yakhe uJonathani, “Kungani indodana kaJese ingezanga ekudleni, izolo kumbe lamuhla na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{28}UJonathani waphendula wathi, “UDavida ucele imvumo kimi ngokutshiseka ukuba aye eBhethilehema.

\VS{29}Uthe, ‘Ngivumela ngihambe ngoba abendlu yakwethu balomkhosi womhlatshelo edolobheni njalo umnewethu ungilaye ukuba ngibe khona. Nxa ngithole umusa kuwe, ngivumela ngihambe ngiyebona abafowethu.’ Yikho-nje engezanga ukuzakudla lenkosi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{30}Ulaka lukaSawuli lwavutha kuJonathani wathi kuye, “Wena ndodana yomfazi olihlongandlebe lolenkani! Uthi kangazi yini ukuthi wena ususekelane lendodana kaJese okulihlazo kuwe njalo okulihlazo lakunyoko owakuzalayo na?

\VS{31}Nxa indodana kaJese isekhona kulo umhlaba, wena kawuyikuma kumbe umbuso wakho. Ngakho thumela ilizwi umlethe kimi, ngoba umele afe!”


\par }{\PP \VS{32}UJonathani wabuza uyise wathi, “Kungani kumele abulawe? Wenzeni na?”

\VS{33}Kodwa uSawuli waphosa umkhonto wakhe kuye ukuba ambulale. Ngakho uJonathani wakwazi ukuthi uyise wayehlose ukubulala uDavida.


\par }{\PP \VS{34}UJonathani wasuka etafuleni ethukuthele kakhulu; ngosuku lwesibili lwedili kazange adle, ngoba wayebuhlungu ngehlazo uyise ayephatha ngalo uDavida.


\par }{\PP \VS{35}Ekuseni uJonathani waphuma waya egangeni ukuyahlangana loDavida. Wayelomfana omncinyane,

\VS{36}njalo wathi emfaneni, “Gijima uyedobha imitshoko engiyitshokayo.” Umfana esagijima, watshokela umtshoko ngale kwakhe.

\VS{37}Kwathi umfana esefike lapho umtshoko kaJonathani owawuwele khona, uJonathani wamemeza wathi, “Umtshoko kawukho ngale kwakho na?”

\VS{38}Wabuye wamemeza wathi, “Phangisa! Ukhawuleze! Ungemi!” Umfana wadobha umtshoko wabuyela enkosini yakhe.

\VS{39}(Umfana wayengazi lutho ngakho konke lokhu; kusazi uJonathani loDavida kuphela.)

\VS{40}Emva kwalokho uJonathani wanika umfana izikhali zakhe wathi, “Hamba, zithwale ubuyele lazo edolobheni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{41}Umfana esehambile uDavida wasukuma eceleni langaseningizimu kwelitshe, wakhothama kathathu phambi kukaJonathani, ubuso bakhe bukhangele phansi. Emva kwalokho bangana, bakhala bendawonye kodwa uDavida wakhala kakhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{42}UJonathani wasesithi kuDavida, “Hamba ngokuthula, ngoba sifungelane ubungane omunye komunye ebizweni
{\ND{likaThixo}} sisithi, ‘{\ND{Uthixo}} ungufakazi phakathi kwami lawe, laphakathi kwenzalo yakho leyami nini lanini.’ ” UDavida wasesuka, loJonathani wasebuyela edolobheni.




\par }\Chap{21}{\SH UDavida ENobhi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UDavida waya eNobhi ku-Ahimeleki umphristi. U-Ahimeleki wathuthumela ekuhlanganeni kwakhe laye, wasebuza esithi, “Kungani uwedwa na? Kungani kungekho olawe na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}UDavida waphendula u-Ahimeleki umphristi wathi, “Inkosi ingiphathise udaba oluthize, wathi kimi, ‘Akungabikhona ozakwazi ngenjongo yakho langalokho okuthunyiweyo.’ Abantu bami ngibatshele ukuba bahlangane lami endaweni ethize.

\VS{3}Manje-ke, kuyini olakho? Ngipha izinkwa ezinhlanu, loba kuyini ongakuthola.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Kodwa umphristi waphendula uDavida wathi, “Kangilasinkwa esejwayelekileyo; kodwa-ke kulesinkwa esingcwelisiweyo lapha kodwa kuya ngokuthi amadoda abezigcinile esifazaneni na.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}UDavida waphendula wathi, “Impela abesifazane babevinjelwe kithi, njengenjwayelo lapho ngiphuma. Imizimba yamadoda ingcwele lasemikhankasweni engengcwele. Pho ingaba njalo okungakanani lamhla!”

\VS{6}Ngakho umphristi wamnika isinkwa esingcwelisiweyo ngoba kwakungelasinkwa lapho ngaphandle kwesinkwa esiNgcwele sikaThixo esasisuswe phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} kwasekubekwa esitshisayo endaweni yaso ngosuku esasuswa ngalo.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Ngalolosuku omunye wezinceku zikaSawuli wayekhonapho, ekhonza phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}; wayenguDoyegi umʼEdomi, induna yabelusi bakaSawuli.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UDavida wabuza u-Ahimeleki wathi, “Kawulamkhonto kumbe inkemba lapha na? Kangizanga lenkemba yami loba nje esinye isikhali, ngoba umsebenzi wenkosi ubungophuthumayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Umphristi waphendula wathi, “Inkemba kaGoliyathi umFilistiya owambulalayo eSigodini sase-Ela, ilapha; igoqelwe ngelembu ngemva kwesembatho semahlombe. Nxa uyifuna, ithathe; kakukho enye inkemba lapha ngaphandle kwaleyo.”

\par }{\PP UDavida wasesithi, “Kayikho enjengayo; ngipha yona.”


\par }{\SH UDavida EGathi
\par }
{\PP \VS{10}Ngalolosuku uDavida wabalekela uSawuli waya ku-Akhishi inkosi yaseGathi.

\VS{11}Kodwa izinceku zika-Akhishi zathi kuye, “Lo kasuDavida inkosi yelizwe na? Kasuye yini abahlabela ngaye emigidweni yabo besithi:

\par }{\Q ‘USawuli ubulele izinkulungwane zakhe,

\par }{\QB kodwa uDavida ubulele amatshumi ezinkulungwane zakhe’?”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}UDavida wawagcina amazwi la enhliziyweni yakhe wamesaba kakhulu u-Akhishi inkosi yaseGathi.

\VS{13}Ngakho wazenza ophambeneyo kubo; njalo kwathi lapho ekubo wenza njengomuntu ohlanyayo, edwebadweba ezivalweni zesango njalo wayekela lendenda zehlela endevini zakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}U-Akhishi wasesithi ezincekwini zakhe, “Khangelani umuntu lo! Uphambene! Kungani limletha kimi na?

\VS{15}Lithi ngiziswele yini inhlanya lize lilethe umuntu lo lapha ukuba aqhubeke kanje phambi kwami na? Umuntu lo kumele angene endlini yami na?”




\par }\Chap{22}{\SH UDavida E-Adulami Kanye LaseMizipha
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UDavida wasuka eGathi wabalekela ebhalwini lwase-Adulami. Kwathi abafowabo labendlu kayise sebekuzwile, baya kuye khonale.

\VS{2}Bonke labo ababelosizi loba ababelemilandu kumbe ababelensolo babuthana kuye, wasesiba ngumkhokheli wabo. Abantu ababelaye babengaba zinkulungwane ezine.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Esuka lapho uDavida waya eMizipha kwelaseMowabi wathi enkosini ye-Mowabi, “Ungabavumela yini ubaba lomama ukuba bazehlala lawe ngize ngazi uNkulunkulu azangenzela khona na?”

\VS{4}Ngakho wabatshiya enkosini yaseMowabi njalo bahlala layo sonke isikhathi uDavida esenqabeni.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Kodwa umphrofethi uGadi wathi kuDavida, “Ungahlali enqabeni. Yana elizweni lakoJuda.” Ngakho uDavida wasuka waya ehlathini laseHerethi.


\par }{\SH USawuli Ubulala AbaPhristi BaseNobhi
\par }
{\PP \VS{6}Ngalesosikhathi uSawuli wezwa ukuthi uDavida labantu bakhe babebonakele. Njalo uSawuli, ephethe umkhonto ngesandla, wayehlezi ngaphansi kwesihlahla somthamarisiki phezu koqaqa eGibhiya, lazozonke izikhulu zakhe zimi zimhanqile.

\VS{7}USawuli wathi kuzo, “Lalelani bantu bakoBhenjamini! Kambe indodana kaJese izalipha lonke amasimu lezivini na? Kambe lonke izalenza libe ngabalawuli bezinkulungwane labalawuli bamakhulu na?

\VS{8}Kungenxa yalokho lonke selicebe okubi ngami na? Kakho ongitshelayo nxa indodana yami isenza isivumelwano lendodana kaJese. Kakho owenu okhathazekayo ngami loba angitshele ukuthi indodana yami itshotshozela izinceku zami ukuba zingicathamele, njengalokhu ekwenzayo lamhla.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kodwa uDoyegi, umʼEdomi, owayemi lezikhulu zikaSawuli wathi, “Mina ngibone indodana kaJese isiya ku-Ahimeleki indodana ka-Ahithubi eNobhi.

\VS{10}U-Ahimeleki umbuzele
{\ND{kuThixo}}; waphinda wamnika ukudla lenkemba kaGoliyathi umFilistiya.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Lapho-ke inkosi yathumela ilizwi lokubiza umphristi u-Ahimeleki indodana ka-Ahithubi labo bonke abendlu kayise, ababengabaphristi eNobhi, yikho bonke baya enkosini.

\VS{12}USawuli wasesithi, “Khathesi-ke lalela, ndodana ka-Ahithubi.”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Yebo, nkosi yami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}USawuli wasesithi kuye, “Kungani licebe okubi ngami, wena lendodana kaJese, wayinika isinkwa lenkemba njalo wayibuzela kuNkulunkulu, okwenze yangihlamukela njalo yangicathamela, njengalokhu ekwenzayo lamhla na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}U-Ahimeleki waphendula wathi, “Ngubani kuzozonke izinceku zakho othembeke njengoDavida, umkhwenyana wenkosi, induna yabakulindayo njalo lohlonitshwa kakhulu endlini yakho na?

\VS{15}Ngalelolanga ngangiqala ukumbuzela kuNkulunkulu na? Hatshi impela! Inkosi kayingethesi inceku yakho icala loba omunye wabendlu kayise, ngoba inceku yakho kayazi lutho lakancane ngodaba lonke lolu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Kodwa inkosi yathi, “Ngeqiniso uzakufa, Ahimeleki, wena labo bonke abendlu kayihlo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Inkosi yasilaya abalindi ababephansi kwayo yathi, “Phendukani libulale abaphristi
{\ND{bakaThixo}} ngoba labo basekele uDavida. Babekwazi ukuthi uyabaleka, kodwa kabangitshelanga.”

\par }{\PP Kodwa izikhulu zenkosi zazingafuni ukuphakamisa izandla ukuba zigalele abaphristi
{\ND{bakaThixo}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Ngakho inkosi yalaya uDoyegi yathi, “Phenduka ugalele abaphristi!” UDoyegi umʼEdomi waphenduka wabagongoda. Mhlalokho wabulala abantu abangamakhulu ayisificaminwembili lanhlanu ababegqoka izembatho zemahlombe ezelineni.

\VS{19}Wabuye wahlasela iNobhi ngenkemba, umuzi wabaphristi, lamadoda ayo kanye labesifazane, abantwana bayo lensane, lenkomo zayo, obabhemi kanye lezimvu.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Kodwa u-Abhiyathari, indodana ka-Ahimeleki indodana ka-Ahithubi, waphunyuka wabaleka wayamanyana loDavida.

\VS{21}Watshela uDavida ukuthi uSawuli wayebulele abaphristi
{\ND{bakaThixo}}.

\VS{22}UDavida wasesithi ku-Abhiyathari, “Ngaloluyana usuku, lapho uDoyegi umʼEdomi wayekhona, ngakwazi ukuthi uzamtshela ngempela uSawuli. Ngilecala lokufa kwabendlu kayihlo bonke.

\VS{23}Hlala lami; ungesabi; umuntu ofuna ukukubulala lami futhi ufuna ukungibulala. Uvikelekile nxa ulami.”




\par }\Chap{23}{\SH UDavida Uhlenga IKheyila
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwathi uDavida esetsheliwe ukuthi, “Khangela, amaFilistiya ahlasela iKheyila njalo aphanga leziza,”

\VS{2}wabuza
{\ND{uThixo}}, esithi, “Ngingahamba ukuyahlasela amaFilistiya la na?”

\par }{\PP {\ND{Uthixo}} wamphendula wathi, “Hamba uyehlasela amaFilistiya uhlenge iKheyila.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kodwa abantu bakaDavida bathi kuye, “Lapha koJuda thina siyesaba. Pho kuzakuba kukhulu kangakanani nxa sizakuyamelana lamabutho amaFilistiya eKheyila!”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}UDavida waphinda wambuza futhi
{\ND{uThixo}}, njalo
{\ND{uThixo}} wamphendula wathi, “Hamba eKheyila, ngoba amaFilistiya ngizawanikela ezandleni zakho.”

\VS{5}Ngakho uDavida labantu bakhe baya eKheyila, walwa lamaFilistiya wathumba izifuyo zawo. Wabulala amaFilistiya amanengi kakhulu wahlenga abantu baseKheyila.

\VS{6}(U-Abhiyathari indodana ka-Ahimeleki wayeze lesembatho semahlombe ekubalekeleni kwakhe kuDavida eKheyila.)


\par }{\SH USawuli Uxotshana LoDavida
\par }
{\PP \VS{7}USawuli watshelwa ukuthi uDavida wayeseye eKheyila, ngakho wathi, “UNkulunkulu usemnikele kimi, ngoba uDavida usezifake entolongweni ngokungena edolobheni elilamasango lemigoqo.”

\VS{8}USawuli wamemeza amabutho akhe wonke empini ukuba aye eKheyila ukuyavimbezela uDavida labantu bakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kwathi uDavida esizwa ukuthi uSawuli wayeceba okubi ngaye, wathi ku-Abhiyathari umphristi, “Letha isembatho samahlombe.”

\VS{10}UDavida wasesithi, “Awu
{\ND{Thixo}}, Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, inceku yakho isizwile impela ukuthi uSawuli uceba ukuza eKheyila achithe idolobho ngenxa yami.

\VS{11}Abantu baseKheyila banganginikela kuye na? USawuli uzakuza na njengalokhu inceku yakho ekuzwileyo? Awu
{\ND{Thixo}} Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, itshele inceku yakho.”

\par }{\PP {\ND{UThixo}} wathi, “Uzakuza.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}UDavida wabuza njalo wathi, “Abantu baseKheyila bazanginikela labantu bami kuSawuli na?”

\par }{\PP {\ND{UThixo}} wathi, “Bazakunikela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ngakho uDavida labantu bakhe, ababengaba ngamakhulu ayisithupha ubunengi babo, basuka eKheyila baqhubeka behamba besuka kwenye indawo baye kwenye. USawuli esezwile ukuthi uDavida wayesebalekile eKheyila kasayanga khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}UDavida wahlala ezinqabeni zasenkangala lasezintabeni zeNkangala yaseZifi. Nsuku zonke uSawuli wamdinga, kodwa uNkulunkulu kamnikelanga uDavida ezandleni zakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Kwathi uDavida eseHoreshi eNkangala yaseZifi, wezwa ukuthi uSawuli wayephumele ukuyambulala.

\VS{16}Njalo indodana kaSawuli uJonathani waya kuDavida eHoreshi wamsiza ukuba athole amandla kuNkulunkulu.

\VS{17}Wathi kuye, “Ungesabi. Ubaba uSawuli kasoze abeke isandla phezu kwakho. Wena uzakuba yinkosi yako-Israyeli, njalo mina ngizakuba ngumsekeli wakho. Lobaba uSawuli uyakwazi lokhu.”

\VS{18}Bobabili benza isivumelwano phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}. Emva kwalokho uJonathani waya ekhaya, kodwa uDavida wasala eHoreshi.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Abantu baseZifi baya kuSawuli eGibhiya bathi kuye, “Kanti uDavida kacatshanga phakathi kwethu ezinqabeni eHoreshi, entabeni yaseHakhila, eningizimu kweJeshimoni na?

\VS{20}Ngakho-ke woza Nkosi nxa kukuthokozisa ukwenzanjalo, thina sizakuba yithi esizamnikela enkosini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}USawuli waphendula wathi, “{\ND{Uthixo}} alibusise ngokungikhathalela kwenu.

\VS{22}Hambani liyekwenza amanye amalungiselelo. Dingani ukwazi lapho uDavida ajayele ukuya khona lokuthi ngubani owambonayo khonapho. Bangitshela ukuthi uliqili kakhulu.

\VS{23}Funani ukwazi ngazozonke izindawo zokucatsha azisebenzisayo beselibuya kimi lilolwazi oluqinisekileyo. Emva kwalokho ngizahamba lani; nxa ekhona esigabeni, ngizamdinga phakathi kwezizwana zonke zakoJuda.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Ngakho-ke basuka baya eZifi besandulela uSawuli. Ngalesosikhathi uDavida labantu bakhe babeseNkangala yaseMawoni, e-Arabha eningizimu kweJeshimoni.

\VS{25}USawuli labantu bakhe baqalisa ukudinga, njalo kwathi uDavida esetsheliwe ngakho wehlela edwaleni wahlala eNkangala yaseMawoni. Kwathi uSawuli esekuzwile lokhu, waya eNkangala yaseMawoni elandela uDavida.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}USawuli wayehamba ngakwelinye icele lentaba, uDavida labantu bakhe bengakwelinye icele bephangisa ukuba babalekele uSawuli. Kwathi uSawuli lamabutho akhe sebezamfica uDavida labantu bakhe ukuba babathumbe,

\VS{27}kwafika isithunywa kuSawuli, sisithi, “Woza ngokuphangisa! AmaFilistiya ahlasela ilizwe.”

\VS{28}Lapho-ke uSawuli wayekela ukulandela uDavida wasesiyakulwa lamaFilistiya. Yikho-nje indawo le beyibiza ngokuthi Sela Hamalekhothi.

\VS{29}UDavida wahamba esuka lapho wayahlala ezinqabeni zase-Eni-Gedi.




\par }\Chap{24}{\SH UDavida Uphephisa Impilo KaSawuli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwathi uSawuli esebuyile ekuxotsheni amaFilistiya watshelwa ukuthi, “UDavida useNkangala yase-Eni-Gedi.”

\VS{2}Ngakho uSawuli wathatha abantu abazinkulungwane ezintantu abakhethwa ko-Israyeli waphuma ukuyadinga uDavida labantu bakhe eduze kwamadwala amaGogo.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Wafika ezibayeni zezimvu endleleni; kwakulobhalu khonapho, yikho uSawuli wasengena phakathi ukuba aye ngaphandle. UDavida labantu bakhe babekhatshana emuva phakathi kobhalu.

\VS{4}Abantu bathi, “Leli yilo ilanga
{\ND{uThixo}} akhuluma ngalo lapho wathi kuwe, ‘Ngizanikela izitha zakho ezandleni zakho ukuba uziphathe njengokufisa kwakho.’ ” UDavida wanyenya egaqa waquma umphetho wesembatho sikaSawuli.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Muva uDavida wakhathazeka ngokuquma umphetho wesembatho sikaSawuli.

\VS{6}Wathi ebantwini bakhe, “{\ND{Uthixo}} kakwenqabele ukwenza into enje enkosini yami, ogcotshiweyo
{\ND{kaThixo}}.”

\VS{7}Ngala amazwi uDavida wabakhuza abantu bakhe akaze wabavumela ukuthi bahlasele uSawuli. USawuli waphuma ebhalwini wazihambela.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Lapho-ke uDavida waphuma ebhalwini wamemeza uSawuli esithi, “nkosi, nkosi yami!” Kwathi lapho uSawuli ekhangela emuva kwakhe, uDavida wakhothama waselala phansi ethe mbo phansi ngobuso.

\VS{9}Wathi kuSawuli, “Kungani ulalela nxa abantu besithi, ‘UDavida ujonge ukwenza okubi kuwe’?

\VS{10}Lamhla uzibonele ngamehlo akho ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} ukunikele ezandleni zami ebhalwini. Abanye bangikhuthaze ukuthi ngikubulale, kodwa ngikuphephisile, ngithe, ‘Angiyikuphakamisa isandla sami ngimelana lenkosi yami, ngoba ingogcotshiweyo
{\ND{kaThixo}}.’

\VS{11}Khangela, baba, khangela isiqa sesembatho sakho lesi esisesandleni sami! Ngisiqume emphethweni wesembatho sakho, kodwa kangikubulalanga. Ngakho zwisisa ubone ukuthi kangilacala lokwenza okubi loba ukuhlamuka. Kangonanga lutho kuwe, kodwa wena uyangizingela ufuna ukungibulala.

\VS{12}Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angahlulela phakathi kwami lawe. Njalo sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angaphindisela ububi obenze kimi, kodwa esami isandla kasiyikukuthinta.

\VS{13}Njengoba isitsho sendulo sisitsho ukuthi, ‘Kwabenza okubi kuvela izenzo ezimbi,’ ngakho esami isandla kasiyikukuthinta.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Inkosi yako-Israyeli iphume ukuyamelana lobani na? Ngubani oxotshana laye? Yinja efileyo na? Yindwebundwebu na?

\VS{15}Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angaba ngumahluleli wethu ahlulele phakathi kwethu. Sengathi angahlola injongo yami ayisekele; sengathi angangikhulula ngokungisindisa esandleni sakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Kwathi uDavida eseqedile ukutsho lokhu, uSawuli wabuza wathi, “Lelo yilizwi lakho, Davida ndodana yami na?” Wasekhala kakhulu.

\VS{17}Wasesithi, “Wena ulungile kakhulu kulami. Ungiphathe kuhle, kodwa mina ngikuphathe kubi.

\VS{18}Usungitshelile khathesi nje okuhle okwenze kimi;
{\ND{uThixo}} unginikele ezandleni zakho, kodwa kawungibulalanga.

\VS{19}Kanje nxa umuntu efica isitha sakhe, uyasiyekela sihambe singenziwanga lutho olubi na? Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angakunika umvuzo omuhle ngenxa yendlela ongiphathe ngayo lamhla.

\VS{20}Ngiyakwazi ukuthi uzakuba yinkosi impela kanye lokuthi umbuso wako-Israyeli uzamiswa ezandleni zakho.

\VS{21}Khathesi-ke funga kimi ngo
{\ND{Thixo}} ukuthi kawuyikubulala inzalo yami loba wesule ibizo lami kwabendlu kababa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}UDavida wafunga kuSawuli. Emva kwalokho uSawuli wabuyela ekhaya, kodwa uDavida labantu bakhe baya enqabeni.




\par }\Chap{25}{\SH UDavida, UNabhali Lo-Abhigeli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngalesosikhathi uSamuyeli wafa, kwathi u-Israyeli wonke wabuthana wamlilela; njalo bamngcwaba emzini wakhe eRama. Lapho-ke uDavida wehlela eNkangala yasePharani.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Umuntu othile waseMawoni, owayelempahla khonale eKhameli, wayenothe kakhulu. Wayelenkulungwane yembuzi lezinkulungwane ezintathu zezimvu ayezigunda eKhameli.

\VS{3}Ibizo lakhe lalinguNabhali lebizo lomkakhe lingu-Abhigeli. Wayengumfazi okhaliphileyo njalo emuhle, kodwa umkakhe, umʼKhalebi, wayelenhliziyo embi kwabanye abantu.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}UDavida esenkangala wezwa ukuthi uNabhali wayegunda izimvu.

\VS{5}Ngakho wathuma amajaha alitshumi wathi kuwo, “Hambani kuNabhali eKhameli limbingelele ngebizo lami.

\VS{6}Lithi kuye, ‘Impilo ende kuwe! Impilo enhle kanye labendlu yakho! Impilo enhle kukho konke okungokwakho!


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Khathesi ngizwa kuthiwa yisikhathi sokugunda izimvu. Lapho abelusi bakho babelathi, kasibaphathanga kubi, njalo isikhathi sonke beseKhameli akukho lutho olwacatshayo.

\VS{8}Buza izinceku zakho zizakutshela. Ngakho ake ube lomusa ezinsizweni zami, njengoba size ngesikhathi somkhosi. Ake unike izinceku zakho lendodana yakho uDavida loba kuyini ongabatholela khona.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kwathi abantu bakaDavida sebefikile, bamnika uNabhali umbiko lo ngebizo likaDavida. Emva kwalokho balinda.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}UNabhali waphendula izinceku zikaDavida wathi, “Ungubani uDavida lowo? Ingubani indodana kaJese leyo na? Ngalezizinsuku izinceku ezinengi ziyawabalekela amakhosi azo.

\VS{11}Kungani kumele ngithathe isinkwa sami lamanzi, lenyama engiyihlabele abagundi bami, nginike abantu abavela lapho engingazi khona na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Abantu bakaDavida baphenduka babuyela emuva. Sebefikile babika amazwi wonke.

\VS{13}UDavida wasesithi ebantwini bakhe, “Hlomani ngezinkemba zenu!” Ngakho bahloma ngezinkemba zabo, loDavida wahloma ngeyakhe. Abantu ababengaba ngamakhulu amane bahamba loDavida, kwathi abangamakhulu amabili basala lempahla.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Omunye wezinceku watshela umkaNabhali u-Abhigeli wathi, “UDavida wathuma izithunywa esenkangala ukuzabingelela inkosi yethu, kodwa yona yazithethisa.

\VS{15}Ikanti abantu laba thina basiphatha kuhle. Kabazange basiphathe kubi, njalo isikhathi sonke sisegangeni phansi kwabo akulalutho olwacatshayo.

\VS{16}Emini lebusuku babengumduli osihonqolozelayo isikhathi sonke siselusela izimvu zethu phansi kwabo.

\VS{17}Kucabange ubone ongakwenza ngoba ingozi iyalenga ngaphezu kwenkosi yethu labendlu yayo bonke. Ingumuntu omubi kangaka okungelamuntu ongakhuluma layo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}U-Abhigeli kasachithanga sikhathi. Wathatha izinkwa ezingamakhulu amabili, izikhumba ezimbili zewayini, izimvu ezinhlanu ezihlinziweyo, amagokoko amahlanu amabele akhanzingiweyo, amakhekhe alikhulu amagrebisi awonyisiweyo, lamakhulu amabili amakhekhe omkhiwa okhanyiweyo, wakuthwalisa obabhemi.

\VS{19}Wasesithi ezincekwini zakhe, “Hambani phambili; ngizalilandela.” Kodwa umkakhe uNabhali kamtshelanga.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Wathi esiza egade ubabhemi wakhe phakathi kodonga lwentaba, wabona uDavida labantu bakhe besehla beqonde kuye, wasebahlangabeza.

\VS{21}UDavida wayesanda kuthi, “Kakusizanga lutho konke ukugcina kwami impahla yomuntu lo enkangala ukuze kungabi lalutho lwakhe olulahlekayo. Ungibhadale okuhle ngokubi.

\VS{22}Sengathi uNkulunkulu angaphatha uDavida kabuhlungu nxa ekuseni ngitshiya indoda eyodwa iphila kubo bonke abangabakhe!”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}U-Abhigeli esebone uDavida, wehla ngokuphangisa kubabhemi wakhe wakhothamela phansi phambi kukaDavida ubuso bakhe buthe mbo emhlabathini.

\VS{24}Wawela ezinyaweni zakhe wathi, “Nkosi yami, insolo kayibe phezu kwami ngedwa. Ake uyivumele incekukazi yakho ikhulume lawe; zwana lokho incekukazi yakho efuna ukukutsho.

\VS{25}Sengathi inkosi yami ingayekela ukumnaka umuntu omubi lowana uNabhali. Ufuze ibizo lakhe, ibizo lakhe lithi Sithutha, njalo ubuwula buhamba laye. Kodwa-ke mina, incekukazi yakho, angizibonanga insizwa inkosi yami ezithumileyo.

\VS{26}Khathesi njengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ekugcinile, nkosi yami, ekuchithekeni kwegazi lasekuphindiseleni ngezandla zakho, ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho ekhona lanjengoba lawe uphila, sengathi izitha zakho labo bonke abafuna ukwenza okubi kuwe nkosi yami bangaba njengoNabhali.

\VS{27}Njalo isipho lesi, incekukazi yakho esilethe enkosini yami, kasiphiwe insizwa ezikulandelayo.


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Ake uthethelele ukona kwencekukazi yakho, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wenu impela uzakwenzela inkosi yami inzalo yamakhosi engapheliyo, ngoba ilwela izimpi
{\ND{zikaThixo}}. Akungabi lokona okutholwa kuwe kukho konke ukuphila kwakho.

\VS{29}Lanxa omunye exotshana lawe ukuba akubulale, ukuphila kwenkosi yami,
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho uzakubophela kuqine elixheni labaphilayo. Kodwa ukuphila kwezitha zakho uzakuphosela khatshana kungathi kuphuma esikhwameni sesavutha.

\VS{30}Lapho
{\ND{uThixo}} eseyenzele inkosi yami zonke izinto ezinhle azithembisayo mayelana layo, njalo eseyibekile ukuba ngumkhokheli wako-Israyeli,

\VS{31}inkosi yami kayiyikuba lesazela somthwalo ohloniphisayo sokuchithwa kwegazi esingaswelekiyo loba esokuphindisela. Njalo lapho
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wenu eselethele inkosi yami ukuphumelela, uyikhumbule incekukazi yakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{32}UDavida wasesithi ku-Abhigeli, “Kadunyiswe
{\ND{uThixo}}, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, okuthumileyo lamhla ukuzabonana lami.

\VS{33}Sengathi ungabusiswa ngenxa yokwahlulela kwakho okuhle lokuvimbela kwakho ekuchitheni igazi lamhla kanye lasekuphindiseleni kwami ngezandla zami.

\VS{34}Ngoba, ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}}, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ekhona, yena ongivimbele ekwenzeni okubi kuwe, aluba kawufikanga masinyane ukuzabonana lami, akukho lamunye owesilisa ongokaNabhali obezasala ephila ekudabukeni kokusa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{35}Emva kwalokho uDavida wamukela esandleni sika-Abhigeli lokho ayemlethele khona wasesithi, “Buyela ekhaya ngokuthula. Ngiwazwile amazwi akho ngasivuma isicelo sakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{36}U-Abhigeli esebuyele kuNabhali, wayesendlini eledili elinjengelenkosi. Wayejabula njalo edakwe kakhulu. Ngakho u-Abhigeli kamtshelanga lutho kwaze kwasa.

\VS{37}Kwathi ekuseni, uNabhali engasadakwanga, umkakhe wamtshela zonke lezizinto, watshaywa luvalo woma qha.

\VS{38}Emva kwensuku ezazingaba litshumi,
{\ND{uThixo}} wamtshaya uNabhali wafa.


\par }{\PP \VS{39}Kwathi uDavida esizwa ukuthi uNabhali wayefile, wathi, “Kabongwe
{\ND{uThixo}}, yena osekele injongo yami yokumelana loNabhali ngenxa yokungeyisa. Uvimbele inceku yakhe ekwenzeni okubi njalo wehlisela uNabhali izenzo zakhe ezimbi phezu kwelakhe ikhanda.”

\par }{\PP Emva kwalokho uDavida wathumela ilizwi ku-Abhigeli emcela ukuba abe ngumkakhe.

\VS{40}Izinceku zakhe zaya eKhameli zathi ku-Abhigeli, “UDavida usithume kuwe ukuba sizekuthatha ukuze ube ngumkakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{41}U-Abhigeli wathi mbo phansi ngobuso, wathi, “Nansi incekukazi yakho, ilungele ukukusebenzela lokugezisa inyawo zezinceku zenkosi yami.”

\VS{42}U-Abhigeli waphanga wagada ubabhemi, ephelekezelwa yizisebenzikazi zakhe ezinhlanu, wahamba lezithunywa zikaDavida wasesiba ngumkakhe.

\VS{43}UDavida wayethethe njalo u-Ahinowama waseJezerili, bobabili-ke baba ngomkakhe.

\VS{44}Kodwa uSawuli, indodakazi yakhe uMikhali, umkaDavida, wayeseyinike uPhalithiyeli indodana kaLayishi, owayengowaseGalimi.




\par }\Chap{26}{\SH UDavida Uphephisa Impilo KaSawuli Okwesibili
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}AmaZifi aya kuSawuli eGibhiya athi kuye, “UDavida kacatshanga entabeni yaseHakhila, ekhangele eJeshimoni na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Ngakho uSawuli waya eNkangala yaseZifi, elezinkulungwane ezintathu zabantu bakhe abakhethiweyo bako-Israyeli, ukuyadinga uDavida khona.

\VS{3}USawuli wenza isihonqo phansi komgwaqo entabeni yaseHakhila ekhangele eJeshimoni, kodwa uDavida wahlala enkangala. Kwathi ebona ukuthi uSawuli wayesemlandele khonale,

\VS{4}wathuma inhloli wasekwazi ukuthi uSawuli wayefikile impela.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Ngakho uDavida wasuka waya lapho uSawuli ayemise khona wabona lapho okwakulele khona uSawuli lo-Abhineri indodana kaNeri, umlawuli webutho. USawuli wayelele phakathi kwesihonqo, ibutho lisezihonqweni limhanqile.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}UDavida wasebuza u-Ahimeleki umHithi lo-Abhishayi indodana kaZeruya, umfowabo kaJowabi, wathi, “Ngubani ozahamba lami phakathi kwesihonqo kuSawuli na?”

\par }{\PP U-Abhishayi wathi, “Ngizahamba lawe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Ngakho uDavida lo-Abhishayi baya ebuthweni ebusuku babona uSawuli elele ubuthongo phakathi kwesihonqo umkhonto wakhe ugwaze phansi eduzane lekhanda lakhe. U-Abhineri lamabutho babelele bemhanqile.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}U-Abhishayi wasesithi kuDavida, “Lamhla uNkulunkulu unikele isitha sakho ezandleni zakho. Khathesi-ke kahle ngimgwazele phansi kanye nje ngomkhonto wami; kangiyi kugalela kabili.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kodwa uDavida wathi ku-Abhishayi, “Ungambulali. Ngubani ongabeka isandla kogcotshiweyo
{\ND{kaThixo}} angabi lecala na?”

\VS{10}Wasesithi, “Ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ekhona,
{\ND{uThixo}} yena ngokwakhe uzamtshaya; mhlawumbe isikhathi sakhe sizafika afe, loba aye empini abhubhe.

\VS{11}Kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} kanqabele ukuba ngibeke isandla kogcotshiweyo
{\ND{kaThixo}}. Thatha umkhonto lesigxingi samanzi okuphansi kwekhanda lakhe, sihambe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Ngakho uDavida wathatha umkhonto lesigxingi samanzi okwakuphansi kwekhanda likaSawuli, basebehamba. Bonke babelele ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} wayebehlisele ubuthongo obukhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}UDavida wachaphela ngakwelinye icele wema phezu kwentatshana khatshana; kwakulebanga elibanzi phakathi kwabo.

\VS{14}Wamemeza ibutho lo-Abhineri indodana kaNeri, wathi, “Kanti kawungiphenduli, Abhineri na?”

\par }{\PP U-Abhineri waphendula wathi, “Ungubani wena omemeza inkosi na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}UDavida wathi, “Uyindoda, kawusiyo na? Njalo ngubani onjengawe ko-Israyeli na? Kungani ungayilindanga inkosi yakho na? Umuntu othile ufikile ukuba abulale inkosi yakho.

\VS{16}Okwenzileyo kakukuhle. Ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ephila, wena labantu bakho lifanele ukufa, ngoba kaliyilindanga inkosi yenu, ogcotshiweyo
{\ND{kaThixo}}. Khangelani emaceleni enu. Ungaphi umkhonto wenkosi lesigxingi samanzi okube kuphansi kwekhanda layo na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}USawuli walazi ilizwi likaDavida, wasesithi, “Yilizwi lakho lelo yini, Davida ndodana yami?”

\par }{\PP UDavida waphendula wathi, “Yebo yilo, nkosi, nkosi yami.”

\VS{18}Wengeza wathi, “Kanti kungani inkosi yami ixotshana lenceku yayo na? Kuyini engikwenzileyo, njalo licala bani engilalo na?

\VS{19}Khathesi-ke nkosi, nkosi yami, lalela amazwi enceku yakho. Nxa
{\ND{uThixo}} ekuqubule ukuba umelane lami, kamkele umhlatshelo. Kodwa nxa kwenziwe ngabantu, kabathukwe phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}! Khathesi sebengixotshile esabelweni sami elifeni
{\ND{likaThixo}} njalo bathi, ‘Hamba uyekhonza abanye onkulunkulu.’

\VS{20}Ungenzi igazi lami lichithekele phansi khatshana lobukhona
{\ND{bukaThixo}}. Inkosi yako-Israyeli iphumile ukuzadinga insikizi njengomuntu ozingela isikhwehle ezintabeni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Lapho-ke uSawuli wathi, “Ngenze isono. Buya Davida, ndodana yami. Ngenxa yokuthi ukhangele impilo yami njengegugu lamhla, kangiyikuzama futhi ukwenza okubi kuwe. Ngempela ngenze ubuwula njalo ngiphambanise kakhulu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}UDavida waphendula wathi, “Nanku umkhonto wenkosi. Wothi omunye wezinsizwa zakho keze ngapha azewuthatha.

\VS{23}{\ND{UThixo}} uyamnika umvuzo umuntu wonke ngenxa yokulunga kwakhe lokuthembeka kwakhe.
{\ND{UThixo}} ukunikele ezandleni zami lamhla, kodwa kade ngingeke ngibeke isandla kogcotshiweyo
{\ND{kaThixo}}.

\VS{24}Ngeqiniso njengoba ngiqakathekise ukuphila kwakho lamhla, sengathi kanjalo-ke
{\ND{uThixo}} angaqakathekisa ukuphila kwami angisindise kukho konke ukuhlupheka.”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Lapho-ke uSawuli wathi kuDavida, “Sengathi ungabusiseka, ndodana yami Davida; uzakwenza izinto ezinkulu njalo unqobe.”

\par }{\PP UDavida wasuka wazihambela, uSawuli wasebuyela ekhaya.




\par }\Chap{27}{\SH UDavida Phakathi KwamaFilistiya
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kodwa uDavida wacabanga wathi, “Ngolunye lwalezi insuku uSawuli uzangibulala. Into engcono engingayenza yikubalekela elizweni lamaFilistiya. Lapho-ke uSawuli uzadela ukungidinga loba kungaphi ko-Israyeli, njalo ngizaphunyuka esandleni sakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Ngakho uDavida labantu abangamakhulu ayisithupha basuka laye baya ku-Akhishi indodana kaMawokhi inkosi yaseGathi.

\VS{3}UDavida labantu bakhe bahlala eGathi lo-Akhishi. Umuntu ngamunye wayelabendlu yakhe, uDavida elabomkakhe ababili: u-Ahinowama waseJezerili lo-Abhigeli waseKhameli, umfelokazi kaNabhali.

\VS{4}Kwathi uSawuli esetsheliwe ukuthi uDavida wayebalekele eGathi kasamdinganga futhi.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}UDavida wasesithi ku-Akhishi, “Nxa ngithole umusa emehlweni akho ngabela indawo komunye wemizi yasemaphandleni, ukuze ngiyehlala khona. Inceku yakho ingahlalelani lawe edolobheni lobukhosi na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ngakho ngalelolanga u-Akhishi wamnika iZikhilagi, njalo seyaba ngeyamakhosi akoJuda kusukela lapho.

\VS{7}UDavida wahlala elizweni lamaFilistiya umnyaka lezinyanga ezine.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UDavida labantu bakhe basuka bayahlasela amaGeshuri, amaGirizi kanye lama-Amaleki. (Kusukela ezikhathini zasendulo abantu laba babehlale elizweni elalifika eShuri kanye laseGibhithe.)

\VS{9}Lapho uDavida ehlasele indawo, wayengatshiyi ndoda kumbe umfazi ephila, kodwa wayethatha izimvu lenkomo, obabhemi lamakamela, kanye lezigqoko. Wabuyela ku-Akhishi.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Lapho u-Akhishi embuza esithi, “Lamhla ubuyehlasela ngaphi na?” UDavida wayesithi, “Besimelane leNegebi yakoJuda,” loba athi, “Besimelane leNegebi yaseJerameli,” loba athi, “Besimelane leNegebi yama-Kheni.”

\VS{11}Katshiyanga ndoda kumbe umfazi ephila ukuba asiwe eGathi ngoba wacabanga wathi, “Bangasiceba bathi, ‘Lokhu yikho okwenziwe nguDavida.’ ” Lokhu yikho ayekwenza sonke isikhathi sokuhlala kwakhe elizweni lamaFilistiya.

\VS{12}U-Akhishi wayemthemba uDavida njalo wazitshela wathi, “Usezondakala kangaka ebantwini bakibo, ama-Israyeli, usezakuba yinceku yami kuze kube nininini.”




\par }\Chap{28}{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngalezonsuku amaFilistiya aqoqa amabutho awo ukuba alwe lo-Israyeli. U-Akhishi wathi kuDavida, “Kumele uzwisise ukuthi wena labantu bakho lizahamba lami empini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}UDavida wathi, “Lapho-ke uzazibonela okungenziwa yinceku yakho.”

\par }{\PP U-Akhishi wathi, “Kulungile, ngizakwenza ube ngumlindi wami impilo yakho yonke.”


\par }{\SH USawuli Lowesifazane Oyisanuse E-Endori
\par }
{\PP \VS{3}Ngalesosikhathi uSamuyeli wayesewafa, njalo u-Israyeli wonke wayemlilele wamgcwaba emzini wakibo eRama. USawuli wayesewaxotsha zonke izanuse labemimoya elizweni.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}AmaFilistiya abuthana eza amisa izihonqo zawo eShunemi, lapho uSawuli wabutha ama-Israyeli wonke wamisa izihonqo eGilibhowa.

\VS{5}USawuli ebona ibutho lamaFilistiya wesaba, inhliziyo yakhe yaba lokuthuthumela.

\VS{6}Wabuza
{\ND{uThixo}}, kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} kamphendulanga ngamaphupho loba nge-Urimi kumbe ngabaphrofethi.

\VS{7}USawuli wasesithi encekwini zakhe, “Ngidingelani owesifazane oyisanuse ukuze ngiyebuza kuye.”

\par }{\PP Bona bathi, “Kulomunye e-Endo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Ngakho uSawuli waziguqula, wafaka ezinye izigqoko, kwathi ebusuku yena labantu ababili baya kulowomfazi. Wathi kuye, “Ngibuzela umoya, njalo ungilethele lowo engizamutsho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kodwa owesifazane wathi kuye, “Impela uyakwazi ukuthi uSawuli wenzeni. Useziqedile izanuse labemimoya elizweni. Kungani uthiya impilo yami ngomjibila ukuba ngibulawe na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}USawuli wafunga kuye
{\ND{ngoThixo}} wathi, “Ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ekhona, kawuyikujeziselwa lokhu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Owesifazane lowo wasesithi, “Ngikuvusele bani na?”

\par }{\PP Yena wathi, “Ngilethela uSamuyeli.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Kwathi owesifazane lowo ebona uSamuyeli, wakhala ngelizwi eliphezulu wasesithi kuSawuli, “Kungani ungikhohlisile na? Wena unguSawuli.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Inkosi yasisithi, “Ungesabi. Kuyini okubonayo?”

\par }{\PP Owesifazane wathi, “Ngibona umoya ophuma phansi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}USawuli wathi, “Ukhangeleka njani?”

\par }{\PP Owesifazane wathi, “Kuphuma ixhegu eligqoke ingubo.”

\par }{\PP Lapho-ke uSawuli wakwazi ukuthi kwakunguSamuyeli, wakhothama wasesithi mbo phansi ngobuso.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}USamuyeli wasesithi kuSawuli, “Ungikhathazelani ngokungivusa na?”

\par }{\PP USawuli wathi, “Mina ngiphakathi kohlupho olukhulu. AmaFilistiya alwa lami, njalo uNkulunkulu usengifulathele. Kasangiphenduli, ngabaphrofethi loba ngamaphupho. Ngakho ngibize wena ukuba ungitshele ukuthi ngenzeni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}USamuyeli wathi, “Ungibizelani, njengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} esekufulathele njalo esebe yisitha sakho na?

\VS{17}{\ND{Uthixo}} usekwenzile lokhu akutsho ngaphambili ngami.
{\ND{Uthixo}} usewuhluthunile umbuso ezandleni zakho wawunika omunye wabomakhelwane bakho, uDavida.

\VS{18}Ngenxa yokuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} kawumlalelanga kumbe wafeza ulaka lwakhe olwesabekayo kuma-Amaleki,
{\ND{uThixo}} wenze lokhu kuwe lamhla.

\VS{19}{\ND{Uthixo}} uzanikela u-Israyeli kanye lawe kumaFilistiya, njalo kusasa wena lamadodana akho lizakuba lami.
{\ND{Uthixo}} uzanikela lebutho lako-Israyeli kumaFilistiya.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Khonokho nje uSawuli wawela phansi wathi daca emhlabathini, esegcwele ukwesaba ngenxa yamazwi kaSamuyeli. Wayengaselamandla, ngoba wayengadlanga lutho ilanga lonke mhlalokho lobusuku bonke.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Kwathi owesifazane esesondele kuSawuli wabona ukuthi wayethuthumele kakhulu, wathi kuye, “Khangela, incekukazi yakho ikulalele. Ngibeke ukuphila kwami engozini ngenza lokho othe ngikwenze.

\VS{22}Khathesi-ke ake ulalele incekukazi yakho uvume ukuba ngikuphe ukudla ukuze udle ube lamandla uzihambele.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Yena wala wathi, “Kangiyikudla.”

\par }{\PP Kodwa abantu bakhe baphathisana lowesifazane ukumncenga, waze wabalalela. Wavuka phansi wahlala esihlalweni.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Owesifazane wayelethole elinonisiweyo endlini, alihlaba khonokho nje. Wathatha impuphu yengqoloyi, wayivuba wenza isinkwa esingelamvubelo.

\VS{25}Wasibeka phambi kukaSawuli labantu bakhe, badla. Ngalobobusuku bavuka bahamba.




\par }\Chap{29}{\SH U-Akhishi Ubuyisela UDavida EZikhilagi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}AmaFilistiya aqoqela wonke amabutho awo e-Afekhi, kwathi u-Israyeli wamisa emthonjeni weJezerili.

\VS{2}Kwathi ababusi bamaFilistiya befola lamabutho abo angamakhulu lazinkulungwane, uDavida labantu bakhe babefola emuva lo-Akhishi.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Umlawuli wamaFilistiya wabuza wathi, “AmaHebheru la-ke?” U-Akhishi waphendula wathi, “Kanti lo kasuDavida yini owayeyisikhulu sikaSawuli inkosi yako-Israyeli na? Usebe lami okudlula umnyaka, njalo kusukela mhla etshiya uSawuli kuze kube khathesi, angikaboni sici kuye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Kodwa abalawuli bamaFilistiya bamthukuthelela bathi kuye, “Buyisela umuntu lo emuva, ukuze abuyele endaweni owamabela yona. Akumelanga aye empini lathi, hlezi asiphendukele lapho sekulwiwa. Angawuthola ngcono kanjani futhi umusa wenkosi yakhe kulokuthatha amakhanda abantu bakithi na?

\VS{5}Kasuyenalo yini uDavida abahlabela ngaye emigidweni yabo besithi:

\par }{\Q ‘USawuli ubulele izinkulungwane zakhe,

\par }{\QB kodwa uDavida ubulele amatshumi ezinkulungwane zakhe’?”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ngakho u-Akhishi wabiza uDavida wathi kuye, “Ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ekhona, ubuthembekile, njalo kade ngingathokoza ukuba lawe usebenze lami empini. Kusukela ngelanga owafika ngalo kimi kuze kube khathesi, angibonanga sici kuwe, kodwa ababusi kabakufuni.

\VS{7}Ngakho phenduka uhambe ngokuthula; ungenzi lutho oluzacunula ababusi bamaFilistiya.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UDavida wabuza wathi, “Kanti ngenzeni na? Kuyini okubi okubone encekwini yakho kusukela ngelanga engafika ngalo kuwe kuze kube khathesi na? Kungani ngingeze ngayakulwa lezitha zenkosi yami na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}U-Akhishi waphendula wathi, “Ngiyakwazi ukuthi ube uthokozisa emehlweni ami njengengilosi kaNkulunkulu; kodwa-ke abalawuli bamaFilistiya sebethe, ‘Kafanelanga ukuhamba lathi empini.’

\VS{10}Ngakho vuka ekuseni, kanye lezinceku zenkosi yakho ezeza lawe, lisuke ekuseni lapho kuqalisa ukukhanya.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngakho uDavida labantu bakhe bavuka ekuseni kakhulu ukuba babuyele elizweni lamaFilistiya, kwathi amaFilistiya aya eJezerili.




\par }\Chap{30}{\SH UDavida Uchitha Ama-Amaleki
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UDavida labantu bakhe bafika eZikhilagi ngelanga lesithathu. Ama-Amaleki ayehlasele iNegebi leZikhilagi. Ayehlasele iZikhilagi ayitshisa,

\VS{2}njalo ayethumbe abesifazane labo bonke ababekuyo, abatsha labadala. Kawabulalanga lamunye wabo, kodwa ahamba labo ekuhambeni kwawo.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kwathi uDavida labantu bakhe befika eZikhilagi, bayifica iqothulwe ngomlilo njalo omkabo lamadodana kanye lamadodakazi abo bethunjiwe.

\VS{4}Ngakho uDavida labantu bakhe bakhala kakhulu baze baphela amandla okukhala.

\VS{5}Abafazi bakaDavida bobabili babethunjiwe, u-Ahinowama waseJezerili lo-Abhigeli, umfelokazi kaNabhali waseKhameli.

\VS{6}UDavida wayesekhathazeke kakhulu ngoba abantu babekhuluma ngokumkhanda ngamatshe, lowo lalowo efuthelene emoyeni ngenxa yamadodana akhe lamadodakazi. Kodwa uDavida wathola amandla
{\ND{kuThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}UDavida wasesithi ku-Abhiyatha umphristi, indodana ka-Ahimeleki, “Ngilethela isembatho samahlombe.” U-Abhiyathari wasiletha kuye,

\VS{8}uDavida wasebuza
{\ND{kuThixo}} esithi, “Ngililandele yini lelixuku elihlaselayo? Ngizalifica na?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Lilandele. Uzalifica impela njalo uzaphumelela ekuhlengeni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UDavida labantu abangamakhulu ayisithupha ababelaye bafika eDongeni lwaseBhesori, lapho abanye abasala khona,

\VS{10}ngoba abangamakhulu amabili basebedinwe kakhulu ukuba bachaphe udonga. Kodwa uDavida labantu abangamakhulu amane baqhubeka belandela.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Bafica umGibhithe egangeni bamusa kuDavida. Bamnika amanzi okunatha lokudla ukuba adle,

\VS{12}ingxenye yekhekhe lemikhiwa ekhanyiweyo lekhekhe lamavini awonyisiweyo. Wadla wathola amandla, ngoba wayengadlanga lutho njalo enganathanga manzi insuku ezintathu lobusuku obuthathu.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}UDavida wambuza wathi, “Ungokabani wena, njalo uvela ngaphi na?”

\par }{\PP Yena wathi, “NgingumGibhithe, isigqili somʼAmaleki. Inkosi yami ingitshiyile sengigula ensukwini ezintathu ezedluleyo.

\VS{14}Sihlasele iNegebi yamaKherethi lelizwe likaJuda kanye leNegebi yamaKhalebi. Njalo iZikhilagi siyitshisile.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}UDavida wambuza wathi, “Ungangisa kulelixuku elihlaselayo na?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Funga kimi phambi kukaNkulunkulu ukuthi kawuyikungibulala kumbe unginikele enkosini yami, besengikusa-ke kubo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Wakhokhela uDavida, bababona begcwele indawana yonke, besidla, benatha njalo bejabula ngenxa yobunengi bempango ababeyithumbile elizweni lamaFilistiya kanye lakoJuda.

\VS{17}UDavida walwa labo kusukela ekuseni kwaze kwahlwa ngelanga elilandelayo, njalo kakho owabo owaphunyukayo ngaphandle kwamajaha angamakhulu amane agada amakamela abaleka.

\VS{18}UDavida wakuthatha njalo konke okwakuthunjwe ngama-Amaleki kanye labomkakhe ababili.

\VS{19}Akukho lutho olwaswelakalayo: omutsha kumbe omdala, umfana kumbe inkazana, impango kumbe olunye nje ulutho ababeluthethe. UDavida wabuyisa konke.

\VS{20}Wathatha izimvu zonke lenkomo, abantu bakhe baziqhuba ziphambi kwezinye izifuyo, besithi, “Le yimpango kaDavida.”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Emva kwalokho uDavida wafika ebantwini abangamakhulu amabili ababedinwe kakhulu baze behluleka ukumlandela ababesele emuva eDongeni lwaseBhesori. Baphuma bahlangabeza uDavida kanye labantu ababelaye. Kwathi uDavida esesondela labantu bakhe, wababingelela.

\VS{22}Kodwa bonke abantu ababi labahlokozi bohlupho abaphakathi kwabalandeli bakaDavida, bathi, “Ngenxa yokuthi kabahambanga lathi kasiyikwabelana labo impango esiyithumbileyo. Kodwa yileyo laleyo indoda ingathatha umkayo labantwabayo ihambe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}UDavida waphendula wathi, “Hatshi, bafowethu, akumelanga lenzenjalo ngalokho
{\ND{uThixo}} asiphe khona. Usivikele wawanikela kithi amabutho abesihlasela.

\VS{24}Pho ngubani ozalalela lokhu elikutshoyo na? Isabelo somuntu osele lempahla sizafana lesalowo ohambileyo ekulweni impi. Bonke bazakwabelwa ngokufanayo.”

\VS{25}UDavida wenza lokhu kwaba yisimiso lomthetho ko-Israyeli kusukela ngalelolanga kuze kube yileli.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}UDavida esefikile eZikhilagi, wathumela enye impango ebadaleni bakoJuda, ababengabangane bakhe, esithi, “Nansi isipho senu esivela empangweni yezitha
{\ND{zikaThixo}}.”


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Wayithumela kulabo ababeseBhetheli, leRamothi Negebi leJathiri,

\VS{28}lakulabo abase-Aroweri, eSifimothi, e-Eshithemowa

\VS{29}leRakhali; kulabo ababesemizini yamaJerameli lamaKheni.

\VS{30}Kulabo ababeseHoma, eBhori-Ashani, e-Athakhi

\VS{31}laseHebhroni; lakubo ababekuzo zonke ezinye izindawo lapho uDavida labantu bakhe ababeke bazulazula kuzo.




\par }\Chap{31}{\SH USawuli Uyazibulala
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}AmaFilistiya alwa lo-Israyeli; abako-Israyeli babaleka, njalo abanengi bafela eNtabeni yase Gilibhowa.

\VS{2}AmaFilistiya axotshana kanzima loSawuli kanye lamadodana akhe, abulala amadodana akhe uJonathani, lo-Abhinadabi kanye loMalikhi-Shuwa.

\VS{3}Impi yatshisa macele wonke kuSawuli, njalo kwathi abatshoki bemitshoko sebemxhumile, bamlimaza kubi.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}USawuli wathi kumthwali wezikhali zakhe, “Hwatsha inkemba yakho ungigwaze, hlezi abantu laba abangasokanga bafike bangigwaze bangenze ihlazo.”

\par }{\PP Kodwa umphathi wezikhali zakhe wesaba, akaze akwenza lokho; ngakho uSawuli wathatha inkemba yakhe waziwisela phezu kwayo.

\VS{5}Kwathi umphathi wezikhali ebona ukuthi uSawuli wayesefile, laye waziwisela phezu kwenkemba yakhe wafa kanye laye.

\VS{6}Ngakho uSawuli lamadodana akhe amathathu lomphathi wezikhali zakhe kanye labantu bakhe bonke bafa ndawonye ngalo lolosuku.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Kwathi abako-Israyeli ababesekele isigodi lalabo ababengaphetsheya kweJodani bebona ukuthi ibutho lako-Israyeli lalibalekile lokuthi uSawuli kanye lamadodana akhe basebefile, batshiya imizi yabo babaleka. AmaFilistiya afika ahlala kuyo.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Ngelanga elalandelayo, amaFilistiya esefikile ukuba akhuthuze abafileyo, afica uSawuli lamadodana akhe amathathu befile eNtabeni yase Gilibhowa.

\VS{9}Amquma ikhanda lakhe athatha lezikhali zakhe, basebethuma izithunywa kulolonke ilizwe lamaFilistiya ukuthi zimemezele lindaba ethempelini lezithombe zawo lasebantwini bakibo.

\VS{10}Abeka izikhali zakhe ethempelini lama-Ashithorethi. Kwathi isidumbu sakhe asibethela emdulini weBhethi-Shani.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Kwathi abantu baseJabheshi Giliyadi sebezwile ngokwakwenziwe ngamaFilistiya kuSawuli,

\VS{12}wonke amaqhawe abo alezibindi ahamba ubusuku bonke esiya eBhethi-Shani. Ethula isidumbu sikaSawuli lezamadodana akhe emdulini weBhethi-Shani aya eJabheshi, lapho azitshisela khona.

\VS{13}Athatha amathambo abo awembela ngaphansi kwesihlahla somthamarisiki eJabheshi, asezila insuku eziyisikhombisa.

\par }