\NormalFont\ShortTitle{2 USamuyeli}

{\MTB Ugwalo Lwesibili

\par }{\MT LukaSamuyeli



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH UDavida Uzwa Ngokufa KukaSawuli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Emva kokufa kukaSawuli, uDavida wabuya evela ekunqobeni ama-Amaleki wahlala eZikhilagi insuku ezimbili.

\VS{2}Ngosuku lwesithathu kwafika umuntu evela ezihonqweni zikaSawuli, izigqoko zakhe zidabukile njalo egcwele uthuli ekhanda lakhe. Kwathi esefikile kuDavida waziwisela phansi emhlonipha.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}UDavida wambuza wathi, “Uvela ngaphi?”

\par }{\PP Yena waphendula wathi, “Ngibalekile ezihonqweni zabako-Israyeli.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}UDavida wabuza wathi, “Kutheni? Ngitshela.”

\par }{\PP Yena wathi, “Abantu babalekile empini. Inengi labo lifile. USawuli lendodana yakhe uJonathani labo bafile?”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}UDavida wasesithi kulelojaha elamlethela umbiko, “Wazi njani ukuthi uSawuli lendodana yakhe uJonathani bafile?”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ijaha lelo lathi, “Kwenzakele ukuthi mina kade ngiphezu kweNtaba iGilibhowa ngabona uSawuli eyame umkhonto wakhe, izinqola zempi labagadi bamabhiza sebebanga kuye.

\VS{7}Uthe etshibilika wangibona, wasengibiza, mina ngathi, ‘Kuyini engingakwenza?’


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Ungibuzile wathi, ‘Ungubani wena na?’

\par }{\PP Ngiphendule ngathi, ‘NgingumʼAmaleki.’


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Wasesithi kimi, ‘Sondela eduze ungibulale! Sengiseduze lokufa, kodwa ngisaphila.’


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Ngakho ngisondele kuye ngambulala, ngoba ngazile ukuthi emva kwalokho ubengeke aphile. Njalo ngithethe umqhele obusekhanda lakhe lesongo ebelisengalweni yakhe okuyikho engikulethe lapha enkosini yami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Lapho-ke uDavida labantu bonke ababelaye babamba izigqoko zabo bazidabula.

\VS{12}Babakhalela, babalilela, babazilela kwaze kwahlwa uSawuli lendodana yakhe uJonathani kanye lebutho
{\ND{likaThixo}} lendlu ka-Israyeli, ngoba babebulewe ngenkemba.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}UDavida wasesithi ejaheni elalimlethele umbiko, “Wena ungowangaphi na?”

\par }{\PP Lona laphendula lathi, “Ngiyindodana yezizweni, umʼAmaleki.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}UDavida waselibuza esithi, “Kungani ungesabanga ukuphakamisa isandla sakho ukuba ubulale ogcotshiweyo
{\ND{kaThixo}} na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}UDavida wabiza omunye wabantu bakhe wathi, “Sondela umgongode!” Ngakho wamgongoda wafa.

\VS{16}Ngoba uDavida wayethe kuye, “Igazi lakho kalibe phezu kwekhanda lakho. Umlomo wakho ufakaze okubi ngawe lapho wena uthe, ‘Ngimbulele ogcotshiweyo
{\ND{kaThixo}}.’ ”


\par }{\SH UDavida Ulilela USawuli LoJonathani
\par }
{\PP \VS{17}UDavida walila isililo lesi ngoSawuli lendodana yakhe uJonathani,

\VS{18}walaya ukuthi abantu bakoJuda basifundiswe isililo sedandili lesi (silotshiwe eNcwadini kaJashari):


\par }{\Q \VS{19}“Udumo lwakho, We Israyeli, lubulewe ezingqongweni zakho.

\par }{\QB Yeka ukufa kwamaqhawe!


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Lingabokutsho eGathi,

\par }{\QB lingakumemezeli ezindleleni zase-Ashikheloni,

\par }{\Q hlezi amadodakazi amaFilistiya athabe,

\par }{\QB hlezi amadodakazi abangasokanga athokoze.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}We zintaba zaseGilibhowa,

\par }{\QB kalingabi lamazolo loba izulu,

\par }{\QB kumbe amasimu athela amabele eminikelo.

\par }{\Q Ngoba khonapho ihawu leqhawe langcoliswa,

\par }{\QB ihawu likaSawuli, lingasagcotshwa ngamafutha.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}Egazini lababuleweyo,

\par }{\QB enyameni yamaqhawe

\par }{\Q umtshoko kaJonathani kawuphendukanga,

\par }{\QB umtshoko kaSawuli kawuphendukanga ungasuthanga.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}USawuli loJonathani,

\par }{\QB ekuphileni babethandeka bengababukekayo,

\par }{\QB lekufeni kabehlukaniswanga.

\par }{\Q Babelesiqubu kulengqungqulu,

\par }{\QB belamandla kulezilwane.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Awu madodakazi ako-Israyeli,

\par }{\QB mlileleni uSawuli,

\par }{\Q owaligqokisa okubomvu lokuhle kakhulu,

\par }{\QB owacecisa izembatho zenu ngemiceciso yegolide.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{25}Yeka ukufa kwamaqhawe empini!

\par }{\QB UJonathani ulele efile ezingqongweni zakho.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Ngilusizi ngawe Jonathani, mfowethu;

\par }{\QB ubuthandeka kakhulu kimi.

\par }{\Q Ukungithanda kwakho kade kumangalisa,

\par }{\QB kumangalisa okudlula okwabesifazane.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}Yeka ukufa kwamaqhawe!

\par }{\QB Izikhali zempi zitshabalele!”




\par }\Chap{2}{\SH UDavida Ugcotshwa Ukuba Yinkosi YakoJuda
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi uDavida wabuza
{\ND{uThixo}} wathi, “Ngingaya yini kwelinye lamadolobho akoJuda na?”

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

\par }{\PP UDavida wabuza wathi, “Ngiye ngaphi na?”

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


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Ngakho uDavida waya khonale labafazi bakhe ababili, u-Ahinowama waseJezerili lo-Abhigeli, umfelokazi kaNabhali waseKhameli.

\VS{3}UDavida wathatha amadoda ayelaye, leyo laleyo labendlu yayo, bayahlala eHebhroni lasemizini yakhona.

\VS{4}Ngakho abantu bakoJuda bafika eHebhroni bamgcobela khona uDavida ukuba yinkosi yendlu kaJuda.

\par }{\PP Kwathi uDavida esetsheliwe ukuthi abantu baseJabheshi Giliyadi yibo ababengcwabe uSawuli,

\VS{5}wathuma izithunywa ebantwini baseJabheshi Giliyadi ukuba bayekuthi kubo, “{\ND{UThixo}} kalibusise ngokubonakalisa umusa lo kuSawuli inkosi yenu ngokumgcwaba.

\VS{6}Sengathi khathesi
{\ND{uThixo}} angalitshengisa umusa lokwethembeka, njalo lami futhi ngizalitshengisa lona lolothando ngoba lenze lokhu.

\VS{7}Khathesi-ke qinani libe lesibindi, ngoba uSawuli inkosi yenu usefile, njalo indlu yakoJuda isigcobe mina ukuba yinkosi yabo.”


\par }{\SH Impi Phakathi Kwendlu KaDavida LekaSawuli
\par }
{\PP \VS{8}Ngalesisikhathi, u-Abhineri indodana kaNeri, umlawuli webutho likaSawuli, wayethethe u-Ishi-Bhoshethi indodana kaSawuli wamletha ngaseMahanayimi.

\VS{9}Wamenza waba yinkosi yaseGiliyadi, e-Ashuri kanye leJezerili, eyako-Efrayimi, lakoBhenjamini kanye lo-Israyeli wonke.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}U-Ishi-Bhoshethi indodana kaSawuli waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli eleminyaka engamatshumi amane ubudala bakhe, njalo wabusa iminyaka emibili. Kodwa indlu kaJuda yalandela uDavida.

\VS{11}Isikhathi uDavida eyinkosi yendlu yakoJuda eHebhroni saba yiminyaka eyisikhombisa lezinyanga eziyisithupha.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}U-Abhineri indodana kaNeri, ekanye labantu baka-Ishi-Bhoshethi indodana kaSawuli, basuka eMahanayimi baya eGibhiyoni.

\VS{13}UJowabi indodana kaZeruya kanye labantu bakaDavida baphuma bayahlangana labo echibini laseGibhiyoni. Elinye ixuku lahlala phansi ngakwelinye icele lechibi kwathi elinye lalo ixuku lahlala ngakwelinye icele.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}U-Abhineri wasesithi kuJowabi, “Ezinye zezinsizwa kazisukume zilwe mathupha phambi kwethu.”

\par }{\PP UJowabi wathi, “Kulungile, kazikwenze lokho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Ngakho zasukuma zabalwa, abantu abalitshumi lambili bakoBhenjamini ngaku-Ishi-Bhoshethi indodana kaSawuli letshumi lambili abakoDavida.

\VS{16}Indoda ngayinye yabamba lowo eyayisilwa laye ngekhanda yatshonisa inkemba yayo emhlubulweni walowo eyayisilwa laye, bawela phansi bonke. Ngakho indawo leyo eGibhiyoni yathiwa yiHelikhathi Hazurimi.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Impi ngalolosuku yayinzima, njalo u-Abhineri labantu bako-Israyeli behlulwa ngabantu bakaDavida.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Amadodana amathathu kaZeruya ayekhona: uJowabi, lo-Abhishayi kanye lo-Asaheli. U-Asaheli wayelejubane njengomziki.

\VS{19}Waxotshana lo-Abhineri, engaphambukeli kwesokudla loba kwesenxele lapho emxhuma.

\VS{20}U-Abhineri wakhangela emuva kwakhe wabuza wathi, “Kanti nguwe, Asaheli?”

\par }{\PP Yena waphendula wathi, “Yimi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}U-Abhineri wasesithi kuye, “Phambukela eceleni kwesokudla loba kwesenxele; ubambe enye yezinsizwa uyithathele izikhali zayo.” Kodwa u-Asaheli kayekelanga ukuxotshana laye.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}U-Abhineri wamxwayisa futhi wathi, “Yekela ukuxotshana lami. Kungani kumele ngikulahle phansi na? Ngingamkhangela njani ebusweni umfowethu uJowabi na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Kodwa u-Asaheli wala ukuyekela ukuxotshana laye; ngakho u-Abhineri wamgwaza esiswini ngomcijo womkhonto wakhe, umkhonto waze wayathutsha emhlane wakhe. Wawela khonapho, wafela khonapho. Amadoda afika ema nxa efika endaweni lapho u-Asaheli ayewe wafela kuyo.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Kodwa uJowabi lo-Abhishayi baxotshana lo-Abhineri, kwathi ilanga selitshona bafika eqaqeni lwase-Ama, eduzane leGiya endleleni yenkangala yaseGibhiyoni.

\VS{25}Lapho-ke abantu bakoBhenjamini bema ngemva kuka-Abhineri. Benza ixuku bayajama phezu koqaqa.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}U-Abhineri wabiza uJowabi wathi, “Kanti inkemba sekumele idle kokuphela na? Kawuboni ukuthi kuzaphetha kabuhlungu na? Koze kube nini phambi kokuba ulaye abantu bakho ukuba bayekele ukuxotshana labafowabo na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{27}UJowabi waphendula wathi, “Ngeqiniso njengoba uNkulunkulu ekhona, aluba kawukhulumanga, amadoda la abezaxotshana labafowabo kuze kube sekuseni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Ngakho uJowabi watshaya icilongo, bonke abantu bakhe basebesima, kabasaxotshananga lo-Israyeli, kumbe babuye balwe futhi.


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Ngalobobusuku bonke u-Abhineri labantu bakhe bahamba badabula i-Arabha. Bachapha iJodani, baqhubeka bedabula iBhethironi yonke baze bayafika eMahanayimi.


\par }{\PP \VS{30}UJowabi waphenduka ekuxotshaneni lo-Abhineri wasebuthanisa abantu bakhe bonke. Ngaphandle kuka-Asaheli abantu bakaDavida abalitshumi lasificamunwemunye batholakala bengekho.

\VS{31}Kodwa abantu bakaDavida babebulele abakoBhenjamini ababelo-Abhineri abangamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisithupha.

\VS{32}Bathatha u-Asaheli bayamngcwaba ethuneni likayise eBhethilehema. Emva kwalokho uJowabi labantu bakhe bahamba ubusuku bonke bafika eHebhroni emadabukakusa.




\par }\Chap{3}{\PP \VerseOne{1}Impi phakathi kwendlu kaSawuli lendlu kaDavida yathatha isikhathi eside. UDavida wathuthuka elokhu esiba lamandla, kodwa indlu kaSawuli yaqhubeka ilokhu iphela amandla.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID \VS{2}UDavida wazala amadodana la eHebhroni:

\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI Izibulo lakhe lalingu-Amnoni indodana ka-Ahinowama owaseJezerili;


\par }{\LI \VS{3}eyesibili kunguKhileyabi indodana ka-Abhigeli umfelokazi kaNabhali waseKhameli;

\par }{\LI eyesithathu kungu-Abhisalomu indodana kaMahakha indodakazi kaThalimayi inkosi yaseGeshuri;


\par }{\LI \VS{4}eyesine kungu-Adonija indodana kaHagithi;

\par }{\LI eyesihlanu kunguShefathiya indodana ka-Abhithali;


\par }{\LI \VS{5}eyesithupha kungu-Ithireyamu indodana yomkaDavida u-Egila.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID La uDavida wawazalela eHebhroni.


\par }{\SH U-Abhineri Uya KuDavida
\par }
{\PP \VS{6}Ngesikhathi sempi phakathi kwendlu kaSawuli lendlu kaDavida, u-Abhineri wayeqinisa isikhundla sakhe endlini kaSawuli.

\VS{7}Kunjalo-nje uSawuli wayekade elomfazi weceleni owayethiwa nguRizipha indodakazi ka-Ayiya. U-Ishi-Bhoshethi wasesithi ku-Abhineri, “Kungani wembathe lomkababa owangaphandle na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}U-Abhineri wazonda kakhulu ngenxa yalokho okwatshiwo ngu-Ishi-Bhoshethi, wasephendula esithi, “Kanti ngilikhanda lenja eceleni lakoJuda na? Lanamuhla ngithembekile endlini kayihlo uSawuli lasemulini yakhe lakubangane bakhe. Angikunikelanga kuDavida. Kodwa khathesi usungethesa icala ngowesifazane lo!

\VS{9}UNkulunkulu kamjezise u-Abhineri ngokunzima kakhulu, nxa uDavida ngingamenzeli lokho
{\ND{uThixo}} amthembisa khona ngesifungo

\VS{10}ngisuse umbuso endlini kaSawuli ngimise isihlalo sobukhosi sikaDavida ko-Israyeli lakoJuda kusukela koDani kusiyafika eBherishebha.”

\VS{11}U-Ishi-Bhoshethi kasatshongo elinye ilizwi ku-Abhineri, ngoba wayemesaba.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Emva kwalokho u-Abhineri wathuma izithunywa zimele yena ukuba ziyekuthi kuDavida, “Kanti ilizwe ngelikabani na? Yenza isivumelwano lami, mina ngizakusiza ekuletheni u-Israyeli wonke kuwe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}UDavida wathi, “Kulungile, ngizakwenza isivumelwano lawe. Kodwa ngifuna into eyodwa kuwe: Ungezi kimi ngaphandle kokuba uze loMikhali indodakazi kaSawuli lapho usizangibona.”

\VS{14}UDavida wasethuma izithunywa ku-Ishi-Bhoshethi indodana kaSawuli ebamba ngamandla esithi, “Ngipha umkami uMikhali, engazendisela yena kimi ngentengo yamajwabu emiphambili yamaFilistiya alikhulu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Ngakho u-Ishi-Bhoshethi wakhupha imilayo uMikhali wahlubulwa kumkakhe uPhalithiyeli indodana kaLayishi.

\VS{16}Kodwa umkakhe wahamba laye ekhala ngemva kwakhe indlela yonke kusiya eBhahurimi. U-Abhineri wasesithi kuye, “Buyela ekhaya!” Ngakho wabuyela.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}U-Abhineri wakhuluma labadala bako-Israyeli wathi, “Sekulesikhathi esithile lifuna ukwenza uDavida abe yinkosi yenu.

\VS{18}Khathesi-ke kwenzeni! Ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} wathembisa uDavida wathi, ‘Ngenceku yami uDavida ngizahlenga abantu bami u-Israyeli esandleni samaFilistiya lasesandleni sezitha zabo zonke.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}U-Abhineri wakhuluma njalo labakoBhenjamini yena ngokwakhe. Emva kwalokho waya eHebhroni ukuyatshela uDavida konke u-Israyeli kanye lendlu yonke kaBhenjamini ababefuna ukukwenza.

\VS{20}Kwathi u-Abhineri, owayelabantu abangamatshumi amabili, efika kuDavida eHebhroni, uDavida wamenzela idili kanye labantu bakhe.

\VS{21}U-Abhineri wasesithi, “Yekela ngihle ngihambe ngiyebuthanisela inkosi, inkosi yami, u-Israyeli wonke, ukuze benze isivumelwano lawe, lokuthi ungabusa konke okufiswa yinhliziyo yakho.” Ngakho uDavida wathi u-Abhineri kahambe, wahamba ngokuthula.


\par }{\SH UJowabi Ubulala U-Abhineri
\par }
{\PP \VS{22}Khonokho nje abantu bakaDavida loJowabi babuya bevelahlasela njalo beze lempango enengi kakhulu. Kodwa u-Abhineri wayesesukile kuDavida eHebhroni, ngoba uDavida wayethe kahambe, njalo wayehambe ngokuthula.

\VS{23}Kwathi uJowabi lamabutho wonke ayelaye befika, watshelwa ukuthi u-Abhineri indodana kaNeri wayeze enkosini lokuthi inkosi yayithe kahambe njalo ahambe ngokuthula.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Ngakho uJowabi waya enkosini wathi, “Kuyini okwenzileyo? Khangela, u-Abhineri ufikile kuwe. Kungani umyekele wahamba? Khathesi usehambile!

\VS{25}Uyamazi u-Abhineri indodana kaNeri; ulande ukuzakukhohlisa lokubona ukuhambahamba kwakho kanye lokwazi konke okwenzayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{26}UJowabi wasuka kuDavida wasethuma izithunywa ukuba zilandele u-Abhineri, njalo zayabuya laye zivela emthonjeni waseSira. Kodwa uDavida kakwazanga lokho.

\VS{27}Khathesi-ke Abhineri, esebuyele eHebhroni, uJowabi wamusa eceleni esangweni, kungani uzakhuluma laye ngasese. Khonapho-ke ukuba aphindisele igazi lomfowabo u-Asaheli, uJowabi wamgwaza esiswini, wafa.


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Muva, uDavida esekuzwile lokhu, wathi, “Mina lombuso wami kasilacala lanini phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} mayelana legazi lika-Abhineri indodana kaNeri.

\VS{29}Sengathi igazi lakhe lingehlela phezu kwekhanda likaJowabi laphezu kwendlu yonke kayise. Sengathi endlini kaJowabi akungasweleki lanininini omunye olenxeba elibhibhidlayo loba ubulephero, loba edondolozela ngodondolo kumbe obulawa ngenkemba loba oswela ukudla.”


\par }{\PP \VS{30}(UJowabi lomfowabo u-Abhishayi bambulala u-Abhineri ngoba wayebulele umfowabo u-Asaheli empini eGibhiyoni.)


\par }{\PP \VS{31}UDavida wasesithi kuJowabi lakubo bonke abantu ababelaye, “Dabulani izigqoko zenu ligqoke amasaka lihambe ngokulila phambi kuka-Abhineri.” Inkosi uDavida yena ngokwakhe wahamba ngemva kwethala lesidumbu.

\VS{32}U-Abhineri bamgcwaba eHebhroni, njalo inkosi yakhala yaphumisela ethuneni lika-Abhineri. Abantu bonke labo bakhala.


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Inkosi yahlabelela u-Abhineri isililo lesi:

\par }{\Q “U-Abhineri bekumele afe njengokufa kwezixhwali na?


\par }{\QB \VS{34}Izandla zakho kade zingabotshwanga,

\par }{\QB inyawo zakho zingelamaketane.

\par }{\Q Ufe ngokubulawa ngabantu ababi.”

\par }{\PP Abantu bonke bamlilela futhi.


\par }{\PP \VS{35}Emva kwalokho bonke beza bancenga uDavida ukuba adle okunye nje kusesemini; kodwa uDavida wafunga esithi, “UNkulunkulu kangijezise, kube nzima kakhulu, nxa nginambitha isinkwa loba olunye ulutho ilanga lingakatshoni!”


\par }{\PP \VS{36}Abantu bonke bakunanzelela njalo bathaba; impela konke okwenziwa yinkosi kwabathokozisa.

\VS{37}Ngakho ngalelolanga abantu bonke lo-Israyeli wonke bakwazi ukuthi inkosi yayingelasandla ekubulaweni kuka-Abhineri indodana kaNeri.


\par }{\PP \VS{38}Inkosi yasisithi ebantwini bayo, “Kaliboni yini ukuthi inkosana lomuntu odumileyo ifile ko-Israyeli lamhla na?

\VS{39}Njalo lamhla, lanxa ngiyinkosi egcotshiweyo, ngibuthakathaka, njalo amadodana kaZeruya la alamandla kakhulu kulami. Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angaphindisela umenzi wokubi mayelana lezenzo zakhe ezimbi!”




\par }\Chap{4}{\SH Ukubulawa Kuka-Ishi-Bhoshethi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwathi u-Ishi-Bhoshethi indodana kaSawuli esezwile ukuthi u-Abhineri wayefile eHebhroni, wahedezela, lo-Israyeli wonke wathithibala.

\VS{2}Indodana kaSawuli yayilabantu ababili ababezinduna zamaqembu okuhlasela. Omunye wayethiwa nguBhana omunye enguRekhabi; babengamadodana kaRimoni umBherothi owesizwana sakoBhenjamini, iBherothi ithathwa njengengxenye yakoBhenjamini,

\VS{3}ngoba abantu baseBherothi babalekela eGithayimi njalo sebahlala khona njengezizwe kuze kube lamhla.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}(UJonathani indodana kaSawuli wayelendodana eyayiqhula inyawo zombili. Yayileminyaka emihlanu ubudala bayo ekufikeni kombiko ngoSawuli loJonathani uvela eJezerili. Umlizane wayo wayiphakamisa wabaleka, kodwa wathi ephanga ukusuka yawela phansi yagogeka. Ibizo layo lalinguMefibhoshethi.)


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Ngalesosikhathi uRekhabi loBhana, amadodana kaRimoni umBherothi, basuka baya endlini ka-Ishi-Bhoshethi, bafika khona emini enkulu ilanga livutha yena ephumula okwemini.

\VS{6}Baya phakathi kakhulu kwendlu kungathi bayathatha amabele, basebemgwaza esiswini. Emva kwalokho uRekhabi loBhana bathi nyelele bahamba.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Babengene endlini yena elele embhedeni ekamelweni lakhe lokulala. Emva kokuba sebemgwaze bambulala, baquma ikhanda lakhe. Balithatha, bahamba ubusuku bonke ngendlela yase-Arabha.

\VS{8}Ikhanda lika-Ishi-Bhoshethi balisa kuDavida eHebhroni bathi enkosini, “Nanti ikhanda lika-Ishi-Bhoshethi indodana kaSawuli, isitha sakho, esazama ukukubulala. Ngalolusuku
{\ND{uThixo}} umphindiselele umhlekazi wami inkosi kuSawuli lenzalo yakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UDavida waphendula uRekhabi lomfowabo uBhana, amadodana kaRimoni umBherothi wathi, “Ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ukhona, yena ongihlenge kuzozonke inhlupheko,

\VS{10}kwathi umuntu engitshela ukuthi, ‘USawuli usefile,’ ecabanga ukuthi wayeletha umbiko omuhle ngamxhakalaza ngambulala eZikhilagi. Lowo waba ngumvuzo engamupha wona ngenxa yalowombiko!

\VS{11}Pho kudlula ngokungakanani nxa abantu ababi bebulele umuntu omsulwa endlini engeyakhe njalo embhedeni ongowakhe, ngingalithonisi yini khathesi igazi lakhe ezandleni zenu ngilisuse emhlabeni na!”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Ngakho uDavida walaya abantu bakhe, bababulala. Baquma izandla zabo lezinyawo, balengisa izidumbu phansi kwechibi eHebhroni. Kodwa bathatha ikhanda lika-Ishi-Bhoshethi bayalingcwaba ethuneni lika-Abhineri eHebhroni.




\par }\Chap{5}{\SH UDavida Uba Yinkosi Yako-Israyeli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli zaya kuDavida eHebhroni zathi, “Thina siyinyama yakho legazi lakho.

\VS{2}Esikhathini esedlulayo, uSawuli eseseyinkosi yethu, wena nguwe owawukhokhela u-Israyeli emkhankasweni wakhe wezimpi.
{\ND{LoThixo}} wathi kuwe, ‘Wena uzakuba ngumelusi wabantu bami u-Israyeli, njalo uzakuba ngumbusi wabo.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kwathi abadala bonke bako-Israyeli sebefikile enkosini uDavida eHebhroni, inkosi yenza isivumelwano labo eHebhroni phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}, basebegcoba uDavida ukuba abe yinkosi ko-Israyeli.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}UDavida waba yinkosi eleminyaka engamatshumi amathathu, wabusa iminyaka engamatshumi amane.

\VS{5}EHebhroni wabusa uJuda iminyaka eyisikhombisa lezinyanga eziyisithupha, kwathi eJerusalema wabusa u-Israyeli wonke loJuda iminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lantathu.


\par }{\SH UDavida Unqoba IJerusalema
\par }
{\PP \VS{6}Inkosi labantu bayo baya eJerusalema ukuyahlasela amaJebusi ayehlala khona. AmaJebusi athi kuDavida, “Kawuyikungena lapha; leziphofu labaqhulayo bangakuvimba.” Acabanga athi, “UDavida angeke angene lapha.”

\VS{7}Kodwa uDavida wayithumba inqaba yaseZiyoni, uMuzi kaDavida.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Ngalolosuku uDavida wathi, “Lowo onqoba amaJebusi kuzamele asebenzise umgelo wamanzi ukuba afinyelele ‘abaqhulayo leziphofu’ labo abayizitha zikaDavida.” Yikho-nje besithi, “Iziphofu labaqhulayo” kabayikungena esigodlweni.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UDavida wasehlala enqabeni waseyibiza ngokuthi nguMuzi kaDavida. Wakha enhlangothini zonke zayo kusukela emadundulwini ayelapho kusiya phakathi.

\VS{10}Waqhubeka njalo esiba lamandla ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu uSomandla wayelaye.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngalesosikhathi uHiramu inkosi yaseThire wathuma izithunywa kuDavida zilezigodo zemisedari lababazi bamapulanka kanye lababazi bamatshe, bakhela uDavida isigodlo.

\VS{12}UDavida wakwazi ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} wayembekile ukuba abe yinkosi yako-Israyeli wawuphakamisa lombuso wakhe ngenxa yabantu bakhe u-Israyeli.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Esesukile eHebhroni uDavida wathatha abanye abafazi beceleni kanye labafazi eJerusalema, kwazalwa amanye amadodana lamadodakazi futhi.

\VS{14}Nanka amabizo abantwana abazalelwa khona: uShamuwa, uShobabi, uNathani, uSolomoni,

\VS{15}u-Ibhari, u-Elishuwa, uNefegi, uJafiya,

\VS{16}u-Elishama, u-Eliyada kanye lo-Elifelethi.


\par }{\SH UDavida Unqoba AmaFilistiya
\par }
{\PP \VS{17}Kwathi amaFilistiya esezwe ukuthi uDavida wayegcotshwe ukuba yinkosi yako-Israyeli wonke aphuma ehlome ephelele esiyamdinga, kodwa uDavida wakuzwa lokho wasesehlela enqabeni.

\VS{18}AmaFilistiya ayesefikile njalo esegcwele eSigodini saseRefayi,

\VS{19}ngakho uDavida wabuza
{\ND{uThixo}} wathi, “Ngingayawahlasela amaFilistiya na? Uzawanikela kimi na?”

\par }{\PP {\ND{UThixo}} wamphendula wathi, “Hamba, ngoba impela amaFilistiya ngizawanikela kuwe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Ngakho uDavida waya eBhali Pherazimi, lapho awehlula khona. Wathi, “Njengamanzi efohla,
{\ND{uThixo}} ufohlele ezitheni zami phambi kwami.” Ngakho leyondawo yasibizwa ngokuthi yiBhali Pherazimi.

\VS{21}AmaFilistiya abaleka atshiya izithombe zawo khonapho, uDavida labantu bakhe bazithatha bahamba lazo.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}AmaFilistiya aphinda njalo abuya, agcwala eSigodini saseRefayi;

\VS{23}ngakho uDavida wabuza
{\ND{uThixo}}, yena waphendula wathi, “Ungayi uqondile, kodwa bhoda ngemva kwawo uwahlasele maqondana lezihlahla zebhalisamu.

\VS{24}Kuzakuthi lapho usizwa izisinde zabahambayo ezihlahleni zebhalisamu, uqhubeke ngokuphangisa, ngoba lokho kuzakutsho ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} usehambe phambi kwakho ukuyahlasela amabutho amaFilistiya.”

\VS{25}Ngakho uDavida wenza njengokulaywa kwakhe
{\ND{nguThixo}}, njalo amaFilistiya wawacakazela phansi umango wonke kusukela eGibhiyoni kusiya eGezeri.




\par }\Chap{6}{\SH Ibhokisi Lesivumelwano Lilethwa EJerusalema
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UDavida wabuya wabuthanisa abantu bako-Israyeli abakhethiweyo, sebebonke babezinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amathathu.

\VS{2}Yena labantu bakhe bonke baya eBhala yakoJuda ukuthi bayethatha ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu khonale elibizwa ngeBizo, ibizo
{\ND{likaThixo}} uSomandla, ohleziyo esihlalweni sobukhosi ephahlwe ngamakherubhi aphezu kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu.

\VS{3}Ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu balifaka phezu kwenqola entsha balisusa endlini ka-Abhinadabi eyayiseqaqeni. U-Uza lo-Ahiyo amadodana ka-Abhinadabi, babetshayela inqola entsha

\VS{4}eyayithwele ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu, u-Ahiyo ehamba phambi kwayo.

\VS{5}UDavida lendlu yonke ka-Israyeli benza umkhosi omkhulu wokuthokoza ngamandla abo wonke phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} ngokuhlabela izingoma lokutshaya amachacho, lemihubhe, lamagedla kanye lamasimbali.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Bathi befika esizeni sikaNakhoni, u-Uza welulela isandla sakhe ebhokisini lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu walibamba ngoba inkabi zazikhubeka.

\VS{7}Ulaka
{\ND{lukaThixo}} lwavutha ngo-Uza ngenxa yesenzo sakhe sokungahloniphi, ngakho uNkulunkulu wamtshaya njalo wahle wafela khonapho phansi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Ngakho uDavida wathukuthela ngoba ulaka
{\ND{lukaThixo}} lwavutha ku-Uza, njalo kuze kube lalamuhla indawo leyo ibizwa ngokuthi yiPherezi Uza.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UDavida wamesaba
{\ND{uThixo}} ngalolosuku, wathi, “Pho ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} lingeza njani kimi?”

\VS{10}Wayengasafuni ukuthatha ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}}, ukuba libe kuye eDolobheni likaDavida. Esikhundleni salokho, waliphambulela endlini ka-Obhedi-Edomi umGithi.

\VS{11}Ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} lahlala endlini ka-Obhedi-Edomi umGithi okwezinyanga ezintathu,
{\ND{uThixo}} wambusisa kanye lendlu yakhe yonke.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Inkosi uDavida watshelwa kwathiwa, “{\ND{UThixo}} useyibusisile indlu ka-Obhedi-Edomi lakho konke alakho ngenxa yebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu.” Ngakho uDavida wahamba wayathatha ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu endlini ka-Obhedi-Edomi walisa eDolobheni likaDavida ngokuthokoza.

\VS{13}Kwakusithi labo ababethwele ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} bangahamba izinyathelo eziyisithupha, anikele umhlatshelo wenkunzi lethole elinonisiweyo.

\VS{14}UDavida wayegqoke isigqoko samahlombe selineni, wagida phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} ngamandla akhe wonke,

\VS{15}lapho yena kanye lendlu yonke ka-Israyeli beletha ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} ngokumemeza langokukhala kwamacilongo.


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Kwathi lapho ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} selingena eDolobheni likaDavida, uMikhali indodakazi kaSawuli wayebukele elunguze ngefasitela. Wathi ebona inkosi uDavida eseqa egida phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}, wameyisa enhliziyweni yakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Baliletha ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} balibeka endaweni yalo phakathi kwethente uDavida ayelimisele lona, njalo uDavida wenza umhlatshelo weminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yobudlelwano phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}.

\VS{18}Eseqedile umhlatshelo weminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yobudlelwano wabusisa abantu ngebizo
{\ND{likaThixo}} uSomandla.

\VS{19}Umuntu ngamunye phakathi kwexuku lonke lako-Israyeli, abesilisa labesifazane, wamnika isinkwa, lekhekhe lezithelo kanye lekhekhe lamavini awonyisiweyo. Abantu bonke baya emizini yabo.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Kwathi uDavida esebuyele ekhaya ukuba abusise abendlu yakhe, uMikhali indodakazi kaSawuli waphuma wamhlangabeza, wasesithi, “Yeka ukuzibonakalisa inkosi yako-Israyeli ekwenzileyo lamhla ihlubula phambi kwezigqilikazi zezinceku zayo njengokungenziwa lilema!”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}UDavida wathi kuMikhali, “Kade kuphambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}, owangikhetha phambi kukayihlo laphambi kwendlu yakhe yonke, wangimisa ukuba ngibe ngumbusi ko-Israyeli bantu
{\ND{bakaThixo}}, isibili ngizathokoza phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}.

\VS{22}Ngizakweyiseka kakhulu kulalokhu, njalo ngehliselwe phansi emehlweni ami. Kodwa izigqilikazi lezi okhulume ngazo zizangihlonipha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}UMikhali indodakazi kaSawuli kabanga lomntwana waze wafa.




\par }\Chap{7}{\SH Isithembiso SikaNkulunkulu KuDavida
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwathi inkosi isihlala esigodlweni sayo
{\ND{uThixo}} eseyiphumuzile kuzozonke izitha zayo enhlangothini zonke,

\VS{2}yathi kuNathani umphrofethi, “Mina ngilapha, ngihlala esigodlweni semsedari, kodwa ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu lilokhu lihlala ethenteni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}UNathani waphendula inkosi wathi, “Loba kuyini okusengqondweni yakho, qhubeka ukwenze, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ulawe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ngalobobusuku ilizwi
{\ND{likaThixo}} lafika kuNathani, lisithi:


\par }{\PM \VS{5}“Hamba uyetshela inceku yami uDavida uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo
{\ND{nguThixo}}: Nguwe yini omele ungakhele indlu yokuhlala kuyo?

\VS{6}Mina angikaze ngihlale endlini kusukela ngosuku engabakhulula ngalo ama-Israyeli eGibhithe kuze kube lamuhla. Ngibe ngihamba ngisuka kwenye indawo ngisiya kwenye ithente liyindawo yami yokuhlala.

\VS{7}Loba kungaphi engahamba khona labako-Israyeli bonke, ngake ngatsho yini komunye wababusi babo engangibalaye ukuthi beluse abantu bami u-Israyeli ngathi, “Kungani lingangakhelanga indlu yemisedari na?” ’


\par }{\PM \VS{8}Ngakho-ke, tshela inceku yami uDavida uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo
{\ND{nguThixo}} uSomandla: Ngakuthatha emadlelweni ekweluseni izimvu, ukuba ube ngumbusi wabantu bami u-Israyeli.

\VS{9}Ngibe lawe loba kungaphi lapho oya khona, njalo ngizinqobile zonke izitha zakho phambi kwakho. Khathesi ngizakwenza ibizo lakho libe likhulu, njengamabizo amadoda adumileyo asemhlabeni.

\VS{10}Njalo ngizabanika indawo abantu bami u-Israyeli ngibagxumeke ukuze babe lekhaya elingelabo bangabe besakhathazwa futhi. Abantu ababi kabasayikubancindezela futhi njengalokhu abakwenza ekuqaliseni,

\VS{11}bakwenza futhi kusukela ngesikhathi engamisela ngaso abantu bami u-Israyeli abakhokheli. Njalo ngizakuphumuza kuzozonke izitha zakho.

\par }{\PM {\ND{UThixo}} wafunga kuwe ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} yena ngokwakhe uzakumisela indlu:

\VS{12}Nxa insuku zakho seziphelile usuphumula labokhokho bakho, ngizakwenza inzalo yakho ithathe isikhundla sakho, ozaphuma emzimbeni wakho, ngizawuqinisa umbuso wakhe.

\VS{13}Lowo nguye ozakwakhela iBizo lami indlu, njalo ngizaqinisa isihlalo sobukhosi sombuso wakhe kuze kube nininini.

\VS{14}Ngizakuba nguyise, yena abe yindodana yami. Angenza okubi ngizamjezisa ngomqwayi wabantu, ukuklebhula okwenziwa ngabantu.

\VS{15}Kodwa uthando lwami kaluyikususwa kuye lanini, njengokulususa kwami kuSawuli, engamsusayo phambi kwakho.

\VS{16}Indlu yakho lombuso wakho kuzaqina nini lanini phambi kwami; isihlalo sakho sobukhosi sizakuma kuze kube nininini.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}UNathani wambikela uDavida wonke amazwi alesisambulelo.


\par }{\SH Umkhuleko KaDavida
\par }
{\PP \VS{18}Ngakho inkosi uDavida wangena wahlala phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} wasesithi:

\par }{\PM “Ngingubani, awu
{\ND{Thixo}} Wobukhosi, bayini abendlu yami, ukuba ungifikise lapha na?

\VS{19}Njalo sekungathi lokhu akwanelanga emehlweni akho, awu
{\ND{Thixo}} Wobukhosi, usukhulumile futhi ngesikhathi esizayo ngendlu yenceku yakho. Le yiyo yini indlela yakho ejayelekileyo yokuphatha abantu, awu
{\ND{Thixo}} Wobukhosi?


\par }{\PM \VS{20}Kambe kuyini okunye uDavida angakutsho kuwe? Ngoba wena uyayazi inceku yakho, awu
{\ND{Thixo}} Wobukhosi.

\VS{21}Ngoba ngenxa yelizwi lakho langentando yakho, uyenzile into le enkulu njalo wayenza yazakala encekwini yakho.


\par }{\PM \VS{22}Yeka ubukhulu bakho, awu
{\ND{Thixo}} Wobukhosi! Kakho ofanana lawe, njalo kakho uNkulunkulu ngaphandle kwakho, njengoba sizizwele ngezindlebe zethu.

\VS{23}Njalo ngubani ongafanana labantu bakho bako-Israyeli esiyiso sodwa isizwe emhlabeni uNkulunkulu ayazihlengela sona ukuba sibe ngabantu bakhe, lokuze azenzele udumo kanye lokwenza izimangaliso ezinkulu lezesabekayo ngokuxotsha izizwe labonkulunkulu bazo phambi kwabantu bakho owabahlenga eGibhithe na?

\VS{24}Ubeke abantu bakho u-Israyeli njengabantu bakho kuze kube nini lanini, njalo wena,
{\ND{Thixo}}, usunguNkulunkulu wabo.


\par }{\PM \VS{25}Khathesi-ke,
{\ND{Thixo}} Nkulunkulu, sigcine kuze kube phakade isithembiso osenzileyo mayelana lenceku yakho lendlu yayo. Yenza njengokuthembisa kwakho,

\VS{26}ukuze ibizo lakho libe likhulu kuze kube nininini. Ngakho abantu bazakuthi, ‘{\ND{UThixo}} uSomandla unguNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli!’ Lendlu yenceku yakho uDavida izamiswa phambi kwakho.


\par }{\PM \VS{27}Awu
{\ND{Thixo}} Somandla, Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ukuvezile lokhu encekwini yakho usithi, ‘Ngizakwakhela indlu.’ Ngakho inceku yakho ibe lesibindi sokukhuleka umkhuleko lo kuwe.

\VS{28}{\ND{Thixo}} Wobukhosi, unguNkulunkulu! Amazwi akho athembekile, njalo usuthembise lezizinto ezinhle encekwini yakho.

\VS{29}Khathesi-ke ake uthokoziswe yikubusisa indlu yenceku yakho, ukuze ihlale isemehlweni akho kuze kube nininini; ngoba wena, awu
{\ND{Thixo}} Wobukhosi, usukhulumile, njalo ngokubusiswa nguwe indlu yenceku yakho izabusiseka kuze kube nininini.”




\par }\Chap{8}{\SH Ukunqoba KukaDavida
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngokuqhubeka kwesikhathi uDavida wawehlula amaFilistiya wawanqoba, wathumba iMethegi Ama eyayiphethwe ngamaFilistiya.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}UDavida njalo wehlula amaMowabi. Wawalalisa phansi emhlabathini wawalinganisa ngobude bentambo. Zonke izilinganiso ezimbili zawo zabulawa, kwathi isilinganiso sesithathu sayekelwa siphila. Ngakho amaMowabi abuswa nguDavida athela imithelo kuye.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}UDavida wabuya wahlasela wanqoba uHadadezeri indodana kaRehobhi, inkosi yaseZobha, lapho aya khona ukuyavuselela umbuso wakhe ngaseMfuleni iYufrathe.

\VS{4}UDavida wathumba izinqola zakhe zokulwa eziyinkulungwane, labatshayeli bazo abazinkulungwane eziyisikhombisa, lezinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili zamabutho ahamba ngenyawo. Waquma imisipha yamabhiza wonke adonsa izinqola zokulwa ngaphandle kwalikhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Kwathi ama-Aramu aseDamaseko efika ukuzoncedisa uHadadezeri inkosi yaseZobha, uDavida wabulala azinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lambili zawo.

\VS{6}Wabeka inkamba zamabutho okulinda elizweni lama-Aramu eDamaseko, kwathi ama-Aramu aba ngaphansi kombuso wakhe aletha imithelo.
{\ND{UThixo}} wamnika ukunqoba uDavida loba kungaphi lapho aya khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}UDavida wathatha amahawu egolide eziphathamandla zikaHadadezeri wawasa eJerusalema.

\VS{8}Kusukela eThebha kanye laseBherothayi, imizi eyayingekaHadadezeri, inkosi uDavida yathatha khona ithusi elinengi kakhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Lapho uTowu inkosi yaseHamathi isizwe ukuthi uDavida wayelehlule lonke ibutho likaHadadezeri,

\VS{10}wathumela indodana yakhe uJoramu enkosini uDavida ukuyambingelela lokuyamenzela amhlophe ngokunqoba kwakhe uHadadezeri empini, owayesilwa impi loTowu. UJoramu wamlethela izitsha zesiliva lezegolide kanye lezethusi.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Inkosi uDavida yazahlukanisela
{\ND{uThixo}} lezo zinto njengalokhu ayekwenze ngesiliva legolide okwavela kuzozonke izizwe ayezehlule:

\VS{12}I-Edomi leMowabi, ama-Amoni lamaFilistiya kanye lama-Amaleki. Wanikela lempango eyathathwa kuHadadezeri indodana kaRehobhi, inkosi yaseZobha.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}UDavida waba lodumo emva kokubuya kwakhe evela kulwa lama-Edomi azinkulungwane ezilitshumi lasificaminwembili eSigodini seTswayi.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Wabeka inkamba zamabutho okulinda kulolonke elase-Edomi, njalo wonke ama-Edomi abuswa nguDavida.
{\ND{UThixo}} wamnika ukunqoba uDavida loba kungaphi lapho aya khona.


\par }{\SH Izikhulu ZikaDavida
\par }
{\PP \VS{15}UDavida wabusa kulolonke elako-Israyeli, esenza okuqondileyo lokulungele abantu bakhe bonke.

\VS{16}UJowabi indodana kaZeruya wayephethe amabutho; uJehoshafathi indodana ka-Ahiludi wayengumabhalane;

\VS{17}uZadokhi indodana ka-Ahithubi lo-Ahimeleki indodana ka-Abhiyathari babengabaphristi; uSeraya wayengumabhalane;

\VS{18}uBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada wayephethe amaKherethi lamaPhelethi; amadodana kaDavida ayengabaphristi.




\par }\Chap{9}{\SH UDavida LoMefibhoshethi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UDavida wabuza wathi, “Kambe angabe ekhona yini osaseleyo endlini kaSawuli engingabonakalisa umusa wami kuye ngenxa kaJonathani na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Ngalesosikhathi kwakulenceku yendlu kaSawuli eyayithiwa nguZibha. Bambiza ukuba abonane loDavida, inkosi yasisithi kuye, “Wena unguye uZibha na?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Yimi inceku yakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Inkosi yabuza yathi, “Kakho yini osaseleyo endlini kaSawuli engingabonakalisa kuye umusa kaNkulunkulu na?”

\par }{\PP UZibha wayiphendula inkosi wathi, “Isesekhona indodana kaJonathani; igogekile inyawo zombili.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Inkosi yabuza yathi, “Ungaphi?”

\par }{\PP UZibha waphendula wathi, “Usendlini kaMakhiri indodana ka-Amiyeli eLo-Debhari.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Ngakho inkosi uDavida wathumela ukuba ayethathwa eLo-Debhari endlini kaMakhiri indodana ka-Amiyeli.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Kwathi uMefibhoshethi indodana kaJonathani, indodana kaSawuli, esefikile kuDavida, wakhothamela phansi emhlonipha.

\par }{\PP UDavida wasesithi, “Mefibhoshethi!”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Yimi inceku yakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}UDavida wathi kuye, “Ungesabi, ngoba impela ngizakutshengisa umusa ngenxa kayihlo uJonathani. Ngizawubuyisela kuwe wonke umhlaba owawungokayihlomkhulu uSawuli, njalo wena uzakudla etafuleni lami kokuphela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UMefibhoshethi wakhothama wathi, “Inceku yakho iyini na, ukuba unake inja efileyo njengami nje?”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UDavida wabiza uZibha, inceku kaSawuli, wathi kuye, “Indodana yendodana yenkosi yakho sengiyinike konke okwakungokuka Sawuli labendlu yakhe.

\VS{10}Wena lamadodana akho lezinceku zakho lizamlimela amasimu lilethe amabele ukuze indodana yendodana yenkosi yakho ibe lokudla. Njalo uMefibhoshethi indodana yendodana yenkosi yakho, izakudla etafuleni lami kokuphela.” (UZibha lo wayelamadodana alitshumi lanhlanu kanye lezinceku ezingamatshumi amabili.)


\par }{\PP \VS{11}UZibha wasesithi enkosini, “Inceku yakho izakwenza loba kuyini umhlekazi wami inkosi elaya inceku yayo ukuba ikwenze.” Ngakho uMefibhoshethi wadla etafuleni likaDavida njengomunye wamadodana enkosi.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}UMefibhoshethi wayelendodana esengumfanyana eyayithiwa nguMikha, njalo bonke abendlu kaZibha babezinceku zikaMefibhoshethi.

\VS{13}Njalo uMefibhoshethi wayehlala eJerusalema, edlela etafuleni lenkosi kokuphela, njalo egogekile inyawo zombili.




\par }\Chap{10}{\SH UDavida Wehlula Ama-Amoni
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwathi emva kwesikhathi, inkosi yama-Amoni yafa, kwathi uHanuni indodana yayo waba yinkosi esikhundleni sayo.

\VS{2}UDavida wacabanga wathi, “Ngizakuba lomusa kuHanuni indodana kaNahashi, njengoyise owayelomusa kimi.” Ngakho uDavida wathuma izithunywa ukuyakhalela uHanuni ngoyise.

\par }{\PP Kwathi abantu bakaDavida sebefikile elizweni lama-Amoni,

\VS{3}izikhulu zama-Amoni zathi kuHanuni inkosi yazo, “Kambe ucabanga ukuthi uDavida uyamhlonipha uyihlo ngokuthuma izithunywa ukuthi zizokukhalela na? UDavida kazithumanga ukuba zizekhangela idolobho zilihlole njalo zihluthune umbuso na?”

\VS{4}Ngakho uHanuni wabamba izithunywa zikaDavida, waziphuca ingxenye yezindevu zomunye lomunye wabo, waquma izigqoko zazo phakathi ezinqeni, wasezixotsha.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Kwathi uDavida esekutsheliwe lokhu wathuma izithunywa ukuyahlangabeza abantu labo ngoba babeyangiswe kakhulu. Inkosi yathi, “Hlalani eJerikho indevu zenu zize zikhule beselibuya-ke.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Kwathi ama-Amoni esebonile ukuthi ayeseliphunga elibi emakhaleni kaDavida, aqhatsha izinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili zamabutho ama-Aramu ahamba ngezinyawo evela eBhethi-Rehobhi kanye leZobha, ndawonye lenkosi yaseMahakha labantu abayinkulungwane, labanye abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi lambili abavela eThobhi.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Uthe ekuzwa lokho, uDavida wathumela uJowabi kanye lamabutho akhe wonke.

\VS{8}Ama-Amoni aphuma amisa impi ekungeneni kwesango ledolobho lawo, lapho ama-Aramu aseZobha kanye leRehobhi labantu beThobhi kanye leMahakha babebodwa egangeni.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UJowabi wabona ukuthi kwakulamaviyo amabutho phambi kwakhe langemva kwakhe, ngakho wakhetha amanye amaqhawe athenjiweyo ko-Israyeli wabahlela ukuba bamelane lama-Aramu.

\VS{10}Amanye amabutho ayesele wathi kawalawulwe ngu-Abhishayi umfowabo, wabahlela ukuthi bamelane lama-Amoni.

\VS{11}UJowabi wathi, “Nxa ama-Aramu elamandla kakhulu kulami, uzengihlenga; kodwa nxa ama-Amoni elamandla kakhulu kulawe, ngizakuzakuhlenga.

\VS{12}Qina, kasilwe ngesibindi silwela abantu bakithi lemizi kaNkulunkulu wethu.
{\ND{UThixo}} uzakwenza lokho okufaneleyo njengokubona kwakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ngakho uJowabi lamabutho ayelaye baqhubeka ukuba balwe lama-Aramu, asebaleka phambi kwakhe.

\VS{14}Kuthe ama-Amoni ebona ukuthi ama-Aramu ayebaleka, ebaleka phambi kuka-Abhishayi aya phakathi kwedolobho. Ngakho uJowabi waphenduka ekulweni lama-Amoni waya eJerusalema.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Kwathi ama-Aramu ebona ukuthi ehlulwe ngama-Israyeli, aqoqana futhi.

\VS{16}UHadadezeri wabiza ama-Aramu ayengaphetsheya koMfula uYufrathe; aya eHelamu loShobhakhi umlawuli wamabutho kaHadadezeri lamabutho ewakhokhele.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Kwathi uDavida esekutsheliwe lokhu, waqoqa bonke abako-Israyeli, wachapha uJodani waya eHelamu. Ama-Aramu aviva ukuba ahlangane loDavida asesilwa laye.

\VS{18}Kodwa abaleka phambi kuka-Israyeli, njalo uDavida wabulala abatshayeli bezinqola zabo zempi abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamabutho ahamba ngezinyawo azinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amane. Wagalela loShobhakhi umlawuli webutho lawo, wafela khonapho.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Kwathi amakhosi wonke ayezinceku zikaHadadezeri ebona ukuthi ayesehlulwe ngu-Israyeli, enza ukuthula labako-Israyeli aba ngaphansi kombuso wabo. Ngakho ama-Aramu esaba ukusiza ama-Amoni futhi.




\par }\Chap{11}{\SH UDavida LoBhathishebha
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwathi entwasa, ngesikhathi amakhosi ayesiyakulwa ngaso impi, uDavida wathuma uJowabi elabantu benkosi lebutho lonke lako-Israyeli. Baqothula ama-Amoni basebevimbezela iRabha. Kodwa uDavida wasala eJerusalema.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Ngelinye ilanga kusihlwa uDavida wavuka embhedeni wakhe wahambahamba phezu kophahla lwesigodlo. Esephahleni wabona owesifazane egeza. Owesifazane lowo wayemuhle kakhulu,

\VS{3}uDavida wasethuma umuntu ukuyabuza ngaye. Umuntu lowo wathi, “Kanti lo kasuBhathishebha, indodakazi ka-Eliyami umka-Uriya umHithi na?”

\VS{4}UDavida wathuma izithunywa ukuyamthatha. Weza kuye, wembatha laye. (Owesifazane lo wayezihlambulule ekungcoleni kwakhe.) Emva kwalokho wabuyela ekhaya.

\VS{5}Owesifazane lowo wathatha isisu, wasethumela ilizwi kuDavida, esithi, “Sengilesisu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ngakho uDavida wathumela ilizwi leli kuJowabi elithi: “Ngilethela u-Uriya umHithi.” UJowabi wamthumela kuDavida.

\VS{7}U-Uriya esefikile kuye, uDavida wambuza ukuthi uJowabi wayenjani, amabutho ayenjani kanye lokuthi impi yayiqhubeka njani.

\VS{8}UDavida wasesithi ku-Uriya, “Yehlela endlini yakho ugeze inyawo zakho.” Ngakho u-Uriya wasuka esigodlweni, walandelwa yisipho esavela enkosini esasala sithunyelwa kuye.

\VS{9}Kodwa u-Uriya walala entubeni yesigodlo lezinceku zonke zenkosi yakhe akaze aya endlini yakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Kwathi uDavida esetsheliwe ukuthi, “U-Uriya kayanga ekhaya,” wambuza wathi, “Angithi usanda kufika nje uvela khatshana? Kungani ungayanga ekhaya?”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}U-Uriya wathi kuDavida, “Ibhokisi lesivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} lo-Israyeli loJuda kuhlezi emathenteni, inkosi yami uJowabi kanye labantu benkosi yami bamise egangeni. Pho ngingaya kanjani endlini ukuyakudla, lokunatha ngilale lomkami futhi na? Ngeqiniso elinjengoba uphila, mina angiyikwenza into enjalo!”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}UDavida wasesithi kuye, “Hlala lapha elinye ilanga futhi, kusasa ngizakubuyisela emuva.” Ngakho u-Uriya wahlala eJerusalema lolosuku kanye lolwalandelayo.

\VS{13}Esecelwe nguDavida, wadla wanatha laye, uDavida wasemdakisa. Kodwa kusihlwa u-Uriya waphuma wayalala ecansini lakhe phakathi kwezinceku zenkosi yakhe; akayanga ekhaya.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Ekuseni uDavida walobela uJowabi incwadi wayiphathisa u-Uriya.

\VS{15}Kuyo wayelobe ukuthi, “U-Uriya mbeke kuviyo eliphambili lapho impi evutha khona kakhulu. Lapho-ke khumukani kuye ukuze acakazelwe phansi afe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Ngakho kwathi uJowabi idolobho eselivimbezele, wabeka u-Uriya lapho ayesazi khona ukuthi yikho okwakulabavikeli abalamandla kakhulu.

\VS{17}Kwathi abantu bakulelodolobho sebephumile ukuba balwe loJowabi, abanye babantu ebuthweni likaDavida bafa; u-Uriya umHithi laye futhi wafa.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}UJowabi wathumela uDavida umbiko opheleleyo ngempi.

\VS{19}Walaya isithunywa wathi: “Lapho usuqedile ukwethulela inkosi umbiko wempi,

\VS{20}ulaka lwenkosi lungavutha, ibe isibuza isithi, ‘Kungani lisondele eduzane kangaka ledolobho ukuba lilwe? Kalazanga yini ukuthi kade bengatshoka imitshoko besemdulini?

\VS{21}Ngubani obulele u-Abhimelekhi indodana kaJerubhi-Bheshethi na? Owesifazane obephezu komduli kamjikijelanga ngembokodo, wayafela eThebhezi na? Kungani lisondele eduzane kangaka lomduli?’ Ingakubuza lokhu, uthi kuyo, ‘Lenceku yakho u-Uriya umHithi ifile.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Isithunywa sasuka sahamba, kwathi sesifikile samtshela uDavida konke uJowabi ayesithume ukuba siyekutsho.

\VS{23}Isithunywa sathi kuDavida, “Abantu basikhulele, baphuma bazasihlasela etshatshalazini, kodwa sibadudulele emuva entubeni yedolobho.

\VS{24}Lapho-ke abemitshoko batshoke izinceku zakho besemdulini, kwathi abanye abantu benkosi bafa. Lenceku yakho, u-Uriya umHithi ifile.”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}UDavida watshela isithunywa wathi, “Yitsho lokhu kuJowabi: ‘Ungakhathazwa yilokhu; inkemba idla omunye njengoba isidla omunye. Qinisa ukuhlasela idolobho, ulichithe.’ Yitsho lokhu ukuba umise isibindi uJowabi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Kwathi umka-Uriya esezwile ukuthi umkakhe usefile, wamlilela.

\VS{27}Kwathi isikhathi sokulila sesiphelile, uDavida wamletha endlini yakhe, wasesiba ngumkakhe wamzalela indodana. Kodwa into eyenziwa nguDavida yathukuthelisa
{\ND{uThixo}}.




\par }\Chap{12}{\SH UNathani Ukhuza UDavida
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}{\ND{UThixo}} wathuma uNathani kuDavida. Esefikile kuye wathi, “Kwakulabantu ababili emzini othile, omunye enothile omunye engumyanga.

\VS{2}Umuntu onothileyo wayelezimvu ezinengi kanye lenkomo,

\VS{3}kodwa umuntu ongumyanga wayengelalutho ngaphandle kwezinyane lemvu elincinyane ayelithengile. Walondla, lakhula laye kanye labantwana bakhe. Ladla ukudla kwakhe, lanatha enkomitshini yakhe laze lalala ezingalweni zakhe. Kuye lalinjengendodakazi yakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Kwafika isihambi emuntwini onothileyo, kodwa umuntu onothileyo kafunanga ukuthatha enye yezimvu zakhe loba inkomo ukuba ahlabele isihambi esasifike kuye. Esikhundleni salokho, yena wathatha izinyane lemvu elisikazi elalingelomuntu lowo ongumyanga, walihlabela lowo owayefike kuye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}UDavida wavutha ulaka ngalowomuntu wathi kuNathani, “Ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ekhona, umuntu owenze lokhu ufanele ukufa!

\VS{6}Izinyane lelo kumele alihlawule ngokuphindwe kane, ngoba enze into enje njalo engabanga lozwelo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}UNathani wasesithi kuDavida, “Unguye lowomuntu! Nanku okutshiwo
{\ND{nguThixo}}, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: ‘Ngakugcoba ukuba ube yinkosi ko-Israyeli, ngakuhlenga esandleni sikaSawuli.

\VS{8}Ngakunika indlu yenkosi yakho, labafazi benkosi yakho ngabanikela ezandleni zakho. Ngakunika indlu ka-Israyeli lekaJuda. Aluba konke lokhu kwakukuncane kakhulu ngangizakunika okunye futhi.

\VS{9}Kungani weyise ilizwi
{\ND{likaThixo}} ngokwenza okubi emehlweni akhe na? Ubulele u-Uriya umHithi ngenkemba wasuthatha umkakhe ukuba abe ngowakho. Umbulele ngenkemba yama-Amoni.

\VS{10}Ngakho, khathesi, inkemba kayiyikusuka endlini yakho, ngoba ungeyisile wathatha umka-Uriya umHithi ukuba abe ngowakho.’


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Nanku okutshiwo
{\ND{nguThixo}}: ‘Ngizakulethela incithakalo ezavela kwabendlu yakho. Phambi kwamehlo akho uqobo, ngizathatha omkakho ngibaphe omunye oseduzane lawe, embathe labo emini libalele.

\VS{12}Wena wakwenza ensitha, kodwa mina into le ngizayenza emini libalele phambi kuka-Israyeli wonke.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}UDavida wasesithi kuNathani, “Ngenze isono
{\ND{kuThixo}}.”

\par }{\PP UNathani waphendula wathi, “{\ND{UThixo}} usesusile isono sakho. Kawuyikufa.

\VS{14}Kodwa njengoba ngokwenza lokhu wenze izitha
{\ND{zikaThixo}} zatshengisela ukweyisa okupheleleyo, umntwana ozamzalelwa uzakufa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Emva kokuba uNathani esebuyele ekhaya,
{\ND{uThixo}} wamtshaya umntwana umka-Uriya ayemzalele uDavida, wagula.

\VS{16}UDavida wamkhulekela umntwana kuNkulunkulu. Wazila ukudla wangena endlini yakhe walala phansi ubusuku ngobusuku.

\VS{17}Abadala bendlu yakwabo bema eceleni kwakhe ukuba bamvuse phansi, kodwa wala, njalo kadlanga kudla labo.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Ngosuku lwesikhombisa umntwana wafa. Izinceku zikaDavida zesaba ukumtshela ukuthi umntwana wayesefile ngoba zacabanga zathi, “Umntwana esaphila, sikhulume loDavida kodwa kasilalelanga. Pho singamtshela njani ukuthi umntwana usefile? Angenza into eyingozi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}UDavida wananzelela ukuthi izinceku zakhe zazinyenyezelana wasebona ukuthi umntwana wayesefile. Wabuza wathi, “Umntwana usefile na?”

\par }{\PP Baphendula bathi, “Ye, usefile.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Lapho-ke uDavida wavuka phansi. Emva kokuba esegezile, wagcoba wantshintsha iziqgoko, waya endlini
{\ND{kaThixo}} wakhonza. Emva kwalokho waya kweyakhe indlu, kwathi ngokucela kwakhe bamlethela ukudla, wadla.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Izinceku zakhe zambuza zathi, “Kungani uqhuba ngale indlela na? Umntwana esaphila, uzile ukudla wakhala, kodwa khathesi umntwana esefile, uyavuka udle!”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Waphendula wathi, “Umntwana esaphila, ngizile ukudla ngakhala. Ngicabange ngathi, ‘Kwazi bani? Mhlawumbe
{\ND{uThixo}} angaba lomusa kimi ekele umntwana aphile.’

\VS{23}Kodwa khathesi esefile ngingabe ngisazilelani na? Kambe ngingamvusa na? Mina ngizakuya kuye, kodwa yena kazukubuya kimi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Emva kwalokho uDavida waduduza umkakhe uBhathishebha, waya kuye wembatha laye. Wazala indodana abayithi nguSolomoni.
{\ND{UThixo}} wayemthanda;

\VS{25}njalo ngenxa yokuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} wayemthanda, wathumela ilizwi ngoNathani umphrofethi ukuba athiwe nguJedidiya.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Ngasikhathi sinye uJowabi wahlasela iRabha yama-Amoni wathumba inqaba yenkosi.

\VS{27}Emva kwalokho uJowabi wathuma izithunywa kuDavida, esithi, “Ngihlasele iRabha ngathumba imithombo yamanzi.

\VS{28}Khathesi-ke qoqa amabutho aseleyo uvimbezele idolobho ulithumbe. Kungenjalo mina ngizalithatha idolobho, libe selibizwa ngami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Ngakho uDavida waqoqa ibutho lonke waya eRabha, wayihlasela wayithumba.

\VS{30}UDavida wathatha umqhele owawusekhanda lenkosi yabo, isisindo sawo sasilithalenta legolide, uceciswe ngamatshe aligugu njalo wafakwa ekhanda lakhe. Wathatha impango enengi kakhulu kulelodolobho

\VS{31}njalo abantu ababelapho wabasusa wabasa lapho ababezasebenza khona gadalala ngamasaha, ngamapiki ensimbi kanye lamahloka, wabasebenzisa ekwenzeni izitina. Lokhu uDavida wakwenza kuyo yonke imizi yama-Amoni. Emva kwalokho uDavida lebutho lakhe lonke babuyela eJerusalema.




\par }\Chap{13}{\SH U-Amnoni LoThamari
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngokuqhubeka kwesikhathi, u-Amnoni indodana kaDavida wathanda uThamari, owayemuhle, engudadewabo ka-Abhisalomu indodana kaDavida.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}U-Amnoni wabindeka waze wagula ngenxa kadadewabo uThamari, ngoba wayeyintombi egcweleyo, njalo kwakukhanya kungeke kwenzeke ukuthi enze loba yini kuye.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}U-Amnoni wayelomngane wakhe owayethiwa nguJehonadabi indodana kaShimeya, umfowabo kaDavida. UJehonadabi wayeliqili lendoda.

\VS{4}Wabuza u-Amnoni wathi, “Kungani wena, ndodana yenkosi, ukhanya uhlobile nsuku zonke ekuseni? Awungeke ungitshele na?”

\par }{\PP U-Amnoni wathi kuye, “Ngiyamthanda uThamari, udadewabo ka-Abhisalomu umfowethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}UJehonadabi wathi, “Hamba uyelala uzenze ogulayo. Lapho uyihlo ezekubona, wothi kuye, ‘Ngifuna udadewethu uThamari azenginika ulutho lokudla. Ukudla lokho kazekulungisela emehlweni ami, ukuze ngimkhangele ngikudle kuvela esandleni sakhe.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ngakho u-Amnoni walala phansi wazenza ogulayo. Kwathi inkosi isifikile ukuzambona, u-Amnoni wathi kuyo, “Ngicela udadewethu uThamari azengenzela isinkwa khonapha ukuze ngidle ngisamukela esandleni sakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}UDavida wathumela ilizwi kuThamari endlini yobukhosi esithi: “Hamba endlini yomnewenu u-Amnoni umlungisele ukudla.”

\VS{8}Ngakho uThamari waya endlini kamnewabo u-Amnoni owayelele phansi. Wathatha inhlama wayivuba, wenza isinkwa khonapho.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Wasethatha ipane wamnika isinkwa, kodwa wala ukudla. U-Amnoni wasesithi, “Batshele baphume bonke abalapha.” Ngakho bonke baphuma bamtshiya.

\VS{10}U-Amnoni wasesithi kuThamari, “Letha ukudla lapha endlini yami yokulala ukuze ungifunze ngesandla sakho.” UThamari wathatha isinkwa ayesilungisile wasisa kumnewabo u-Amnoni endlini yakhe yokulala.

\VS{11}Kodwa esefike laso kuye ukuba adle, wamxhakala wathi, “Woza ulale lami, dadewethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Yena wathi kuye, “Ungaqali, mnewethu! Ungangigebengi. Into enje akumelanga yenziwe ko-Israyeli! Ungenzi into le embi.

\VS{13}Mina-ke? Ngingalisusela ngaphi ihlazo lami? Wena-ke? Angithi ungafana lesinye seziphukuphuku ezixhwalileyo ko-Israyeli. Ake ukhulume lenkosi, kayisoze ingalele ukwendela kuwe.”

\VS{14}Kodwa u-Amnoni wala ukumlalela, kwathi njengoba wayelamandla kulaye, wamgebenga.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Emva kwalokho u-Amnoni wamzonda ngenzondo ebuhlungu kakhulu. Ngeqiniso wamzonda okudlula ukumthanda kwakhe. U-Amnoni wathi kuye, “Vuka uphume!”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Yena wathi, “Hatshi! Ukungixotsha kungaba yibubi obudlula lokhu osukwenze kimi.”

\par }{\PP Kodwa wala ukumlalela.

\VS{17}Wabiza inceku eyayiqondane laye wathi, “Susa umfazi lo lapha, ukhiye umnyango ngemva kwakhe.”

\VS{18}Ngakho inceku yakhe yamkhuphela phandle yakhiya umnyango. Wayegqoke isigqoko esasiceciswe kakuhle, ngoba lolu yilo uhlobo lwesigqoko esasigqokwa ngamadodakazi enkosi ayezintombi ezigcweleyo.

\VS{19}UThamari wazithela ngomlotha ekhanda wadabula isigqoko esicecisiweyo ayesigqokile. Wathwala imikhono ekhanda wasuka, wahamba ekhala kakhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Umnewabo u-Abhisalomu wathi kuye, “U-Amnoni lowo, umnewenu, kade elawe na? Zithulele dadewethu; ungumnewenu. Ungayibeki enhliziyweni yakho into le.” UThamari wahlala endlini kamnewabo u-Abhisalomu, engowesifazane ohlulukelweyo.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Inkosi uDavida esekuzwile konke lokhu wathukuthela kakhulu.

\VS{22}U-Abhisalomu kazange atsho lizwi ku-Amnoni, elihle loba elibi; wamzonda u-Amnoni ngoba wayehlazise udadewabo uThamari.


\par }{\SH U-Abhisalomu Ubulala U-Amnoni
\par }
{\PP \VS{23}Emva kweminyaka emibili, lapho abagundi bezimvu zika-Abhisalomu babeseBhali Hazori phansi komngcele wako-Efrayimi, wanxusa wonke amadodana enkosi ukuba aye khonale.

\VS{24}U-Abhisalomu waya enkosini wathi, “Inceku yakho abagundi bayo bafikile. Kambe inkosi lezikhulu zayo ingahamba lami na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Inkosi yaphendula yathi, “Hatshi, ndodana yami. Akumelanga sonke sihambe; singaba ngumthwalo onzima kuwe.” Lanxa u-Abhisalomu wayincenga, yala ukuhamba, kodwa yena yamvumela.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}U-Abhisalomu wasesithi, “Nxa kungenjalo, ake uvumele umfowethu u-Amnoni ahambe lathi.”

\par }{\PP Inkosi yambuza yathi, “Kungani kumele ahambe lani?”

\VS{27}Kodwa u-Abhisalomu wayincenga, ngakho yavuma ukuba u-Amnoni ahambe laye kanye lamanye amadodana enkosi.


\par }{\PP \VS{28}U-Abhisalomu walaya abantu bakhe wathi, “Lalelani! Nxa u-Amnoni esethabe kakhulu ngenxa yokunatha iwayini ngingathi kini, ‘Mbulaleni u-Amnoni!’ limbulale. Lingesabi. Kangiliphanga umlayo lo na? Qinani libe lesibindi.”

\VS{29}Ngakho abantu baka-Abhisalomu benza ku-Amnoni lokho u-Abhisalomu ayebalaye khona. Lapho-ke wonke amadodana enkosi asuka, agada imbongolo zawo abaleka.


\par }{\PP \VS{30}Esesendleleni umbiko wafika kuDavida usithi, “U-Abhisalomu usewabulele wonke amadodana enkosi, akukho leyodwa eseleyo.”

\VS{31}Inkosi yasukuma, yadabula izigqoko zayo yalala phansi emhlabathini; izinceku zayo zonke zema khonapho iziqgoko zazo sezizidabulile.


\par }{\PP \VS{32}Kodwa uJehonadabi indodana kaShimeya, umfowabo kaDavida, wathi, “Inkosi yami kayingacabangi ukuthi babulele wonke amakhosana, ngu-Amnoni kuphela ofileyo. Le yinhloso ka-Abhisalomu ebivele ikhona kusukela mhla u-Amnoni egebenga udadewabo uThamari.

\VS{33}Umhlekazi wami inkosi kayinganqineki ngombiko othi wonke amadodana enkosi afile. Ngu-Amnoni kuphela ofileyo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{34}Ngalesosikhathi u-Abhisalomu wayesebalekile.

\par }{\PP Kwathi umuntu owayelinda wabona abantu abanengi emgwaqweni ngasentshonalanga, besehla eceleni lentaba. Umlindi lowo wahamba wayabikela inkosi wathi, “Ngibona abantu ngokuya eHoronayimi, eceleni kwentaba.”


\par }{\PP \VS{35}UJehonadabi wasesithi enkosini, “Khangela, amadodana enkosi asefikile; kwenzakale njengoba inceku yakho itshilo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{36}Wathi eqeda ukukhuluma, amadodana enkosi angena ekhala kakhulu. Layo inkosi, kanye lezinceku zayo zonke bakhala kabuhlungu.


\par }{\PP \VS{37}U-Abhisalomu wabaleka waya kuThalimayi indodana ka-Amihudi inkosi yaseGeshuri. Kodwa Inkosi uDavida walilela indodana yakhe insuku zonke.


\par }{\PP \VS{38}Emva kokuba u-Abhisalomu esebaleke waya eGeshuri, wahlala khonale iminyaka emithathu.

\VS{39}Umoya wenkosi wafisa ukuya ku-Abhisalomu, ngoba yayisiduduzekile ngokufa kuka-Amnoni.




\par }\Chap{14}{\SH U-Abhisalomu Ubuyela EJerusalema
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJowabi indodana kaZeruya wakwazi ukuthi inhliziyo yenkosi yayimkhumbula u-Abhisalomu.

\VS{2}Ngakho uJowabi wathuma umuntu eThekhowa wayabuya khona lowesifazane ohlakaniphileyo. Wathi kuye, “Yenza angathi uyalila. Gqoka izigqoko zokulila. Ungagcobi amagcobo okubukeka. Yenza njengowesifazane oseqede insuku ezinengi elilela ofileyo.

\VS{3}Uye enkosini ukhulume amazwi la kuyo.” UJowabi wasemfunza lawomazwi.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Kwathi owesifazane owavela eThekhowa esefikile enkosini wathi mbo phansi ngobuso eyihlonipha, wasesithi, “Ake ungisize, awu nkosi!”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Inkosi yambuza yathi, “Kuyini okukuhluphayo?”

\par }{\PP Yena wathi, “Ngingumfelokazi impela, umkami wafa.

\VS{6}Mina ncekukazi yakho ngangilamadodana amabili. Alwa egangeni njalo akulamuntu owayelapho ukuba awalamule. Enye yatshaya enye yayibulala.

\VS{7}Manje-ke bonke abosendo sebevukele incekukazi yakho, bathi, ‘Sinike lowo owabulala umfowabo ukuze simbulale ngenxa yempilo yomfowabo ambulalayo; lapho-ke sizasusa lendlalifa futhi.’ Bazacitsha ilahle lami elivuthayo eliyilo lodwa engilalo eliseleyo, umkami asale engaselabizo loba inzalo ebusweni bomhlaba.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Inkosi yasisithi kowesifazane lowo, “Buyela ekhaya, ngizakhupha umlayo ngimele wena.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kodwa owesifazane waseThekhowa wathi kuyo, “Mhlekazi wami, nkosi, umlandu kawube kimi lakwabendlu kababa, kuthi inkosi lesihlalo sayo sobukhosi kungabi lacala.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Inkosi yaphendula yathi, “Nxa loba ngubani esitsho loba yini kuwe, mlethe kimi, njalo kasoze akuhluphe futhi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Wasesithi, “Inkosi kayincenge
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wayo ukuba avimbele umphindiseli wegazi ekwengezeleleni incithakalo, ukuze indodana yami ingabhujiswa.”

\par }{\PP Inkosi yathi, “Ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ekhona, akukho lalunye unwele lwekhanda lendodana yakho oluzawela phansi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Lapho-ke owesifazane wasesithi, “Vumela incekukazi yakho ikhulume ilizwi enkosini yami.”

\par }{\PP Yathi, “Khuluma.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Owesifazane wasesithi, “Pho kungani ucebe into enje ngabantu bakaNkulunkulu na? Nxa inkosi isitsho lokhu kayizidlisi ngecala na, ngoba inkosi kayiyibuyisanga indodana yayo eyaxotshwayo.

\VS{14}Njengamanzi achithekele phansi, angeke abuthwe, kanjalo kumele sife. Kodwa uNkulunkulu kakususi ukuphila, esikhundleni salokho yena uceba izindlela zokuthi umuntu oxotshiweyo angehlukaniswa laye kokuphela.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Ngilande ukuzakutsho lokhu kumhlekazi wami inkosi, ngoba abantu sebengethusile. Incekukazi yakho icabange yathi, ‘Ngizakhuluma lenkosi, engxenye izakwenza lokho okucelwa yincekukazi yayo.

\VS{16}Engxenye inkosi izavuma ukuhlenga incekukazi yayo esandleni somuntu ozama ukungisusa mina lendodana yami elifeni esaliphiwa nguNkulunkulu.’


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Khathesi incekukazi yakho ithi, ‘Sengathi izwi lomhlekazi wami,
{\ND{uThixo}} lingangilethela ukuphumula, ngoba umhlekazi wami, inkosi unjengengilosi kaNkulunkulu ekuphawuleni okuhle lokubi. Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho angaba lawe.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Inkosi yasisithi kowesifazane lowo, “Ungangifihleli impendulo kulokhu engizakubuza khona.”

\par }{\PP Owesifazane wathi “Mhlekazi wami, inkosi kayikhulume.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Inkosi yasibuza yathi, “Isandla sikaJowabi kasilawe yini kukho konke lokhu na?”

\par }{\PP Owesifazane waphendula wathi, “Ngeqiniso elinjengoba uphila, mhlekazi wami, inkosi, kakho ongaphambukela kwesokudla kumbe kwesenxele kwaloba yini umhlekazi wami, inkosi ekutshoyo. Ye, yinceku yakho uJowabi engilaye ukuba ngenze lokhu onguye njalo ofunze amazwi wonke la emlonyeni wencekukazi yakho.

\VS{20}Inceku yakho uJowabi yenze lokhu ukuba iguqule umumo okhona khathesi. Inkosi yami ilenhlakanipho efana leyengilosi kaNkulunkulu yazi konke okwenzakalayo elizweni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Inkosi yasisithi kuJowabi, “Kulungile, ngizakwenza lokho. Hamba uyebuya lalo ijaha u-Abhisalomu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}UJowabi wathi mbo phansi ngobuso eyihlonipha, waseyibonga inkosi. UJowabi wasesithi, “Lamhla inceku yakho isikwazi ukuthi isithole umusa emehlweni akho, mhlekazi wami, nkosi, ngoba inkosi isivumile isicelo senceku yayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Emva kwalokho uJowabi waya eGeshuri wayabuya lo-Abhisalomu eJerusalema.

\VS{24}Kodwa inkosi yathi, “Kaye endlini yakhe, akumelanga abone ubuso bami.” Ngakho u-Abhisalomu waya endlini yakhe akaze abubona ubuso benkosi.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Kulolonke elako-Israyeli kakho umuntu owayebatshazwa kakhulu ngobuhle bakhe njengo-Abhisalomu. Kusukela ekhanda lakhe kusiya ephangweni lonyawo lwakhe kwakungekho sici kuye.

\VS{26}Kwakusithi lapho egele inwele zekhanda lakhe wayejwayele ukuzigela inwele zakhe kanye ngomnyaka nxa zasezimsinda kakhulu, wayezilinganisa esikalini, isisindo sazo sasingamakhulu amabili amashekeli ngesilinganiso sesikhosini.


\par }{\PP \VS{27}U-Abhisalomu wazala amadodana amathathu lendodakazi eyodwa. Ibizo lendodakazi lalinguThamari, owayengumfazi omuhle.


\par }{\PP \VS{28}U-Abhisalomu wahlala iminyaka emibili eJerusalema engabuboni ubuso benkosi.

\VS{29}Yikho u-Abhisalomu wabiza uJowabi wamthuma enkosini, kodwa uJowabi wala ukuya kuye. Wathumela okwesibili, kodwa wala ukuza.

\VS{30}Wasesithi ezincekwini zakhe, “Khangelani, insimu kaJowabi iphansi kweyami, njalo kulebhali kiyo. Hambani liyeyithungela ngomlilo.” Ngakho izinceku zika-Abhisalomu zayithungela insimu ngomlilo.


\par }{\PP \VS{31}Lapho-ke uJowabi waya endlini ka-Abhisalomu wathi kuye, “Kungani izinceku zakho zithungele insimu yami ngomlilo?”


\par }{\PP \VS{32}U-Abhisalomu wathi kuJowabi, “Khangela, ngithumele ilizwi kuwe ngathi, ‘Woza lapha ukuze ngikuthume enkosini ukuyabuza ukuthi, “Pho ngisukeleni eGeshuri? Kade kuzakuba ngcono kimi aluba ngilokhu ngikhonale!” ’ Khathesi nje, mina ngifuna ukubona ubuso benkosi, nxa ngilecala laloba yini kangibulale.”


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Ngakho uJowabi waya enkosini wayitshela lokhu. Inkosi yambiza u-Abhisalomu, wafika wangena wasesithi mbo phansi ngobuso phambi kwenkosi. Inkosi yamanga u-Abhisalomu.




\par }\Chap{15}{\SH Icebo Lika-Abhisalomu Elomvukela
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngokuqhubeka kwesikhathi u-Abhisalomu wazidingela inqola yempi lamabhiza kanye labantu abangamatshumi amahlanu ukuba ngabagijima phambi kwakhe.

\VS{2}Wayevuka ekuseni kakhulu ame eceleni komgwaqo oya esangweni ledolobho. Kwakusithi loba ngubani ofikayo ukuyamangala icala enkosini ukuba liqunywe, u-Abhisalomu wayembiza athi, “Wena uvela kuliphi idolobho?” Wayephendula athi, “Inceku yakho ivela kwesinye sezizwana zako-Israyeli.”

\VS{3}Lapho-ke u-Abhisalomu wayesithi kuye, “Khangela, okufunayo kuqondile njalo kufanele, kodwa akulammeli wenkosi ukuba akuzwe.”

\VS{4}U-Abhisalomu wayeqhubeka athi, “Sekuze kungathi ngabe ngabekwa ukuba ngumahluleli elizweni! Loba ngubani olensolo kumbe icala wayezakuza kimi ngibone ukuthi wahlulelwa kuhle.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Njalo kwakusithi umuntu angafika kuye akhothamele phansi phambi kwakhe, u-Abhisalomu wayeselula isandla sakhe ambambe amange.

\VS{6}U-Abhisalomu waziphatha ngale indlela kubo bonke abako-Israyeli abaya enkosini ukuyacela ukwahlulelwa kuhle, ngalokho wakhanga inhliziyo zabantu abanengi ko-Israyeli.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Ekupheleni kweminyaka emine, u-Abhisalomu wathi enkosini, “Ngisake ngiye eHebhroni ukuyagcwalisa isifungo engasenzayo
{\ND{kuThixo}}.

\VS{8}Inceku yakho isahlala eGeshuri e-Aramu, yenza isifungo lesi: ‘Nxa
{\ND{uThixo}} engangibuyisela eJerusalema ngizamkhonza
{\ND{uThixo}} eHebhroni.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Inkosi yathi kuye, “Hamba ngokuthula.” Ngakho waya eHebhroni.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Emva kwalokho u-Abhisalomu wathuma izithunywa ezifihlakeleyo kuzozonke izizwana zako-Israyeli ukuba zithi, “Lingezwa nje ukukhala kwecilongo, tshonini lithi, ‘U-Abhisalomu uyinkosi eHebhroni!’ ”

\VS{11}Abantu abangamakhulu amabili baseJerusalema babehambe lo-Abhisalomu. Babenxuswe njengezethekeli njalo behambe bekhululekile, bengazi lutho ngendaba leyo.

\VS{12}U-Abhisalomu esanikela imihlatshelo, wabiza u-Ahithofeli umGiloni, umeluleki kaDavida, ukuba eze evela eGilo, umuzi wakibo. Ngalokho icebo lomvukela laqina, labalandeli baka-Abhisalomu baqhubeka besanda.


\par }{\SH UDavida Uyabaleka
\par }
{\PP \VS{13}Kwafika isithunywa kuDavida sathi, “Inhliziyo zabantu bako-Israyeli ziku-Abhisalomu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}UDavida wasesithi kuzozonke izikhulu zakhe ezazilaye eJerusalema, “Wozani! Kumele sibaleke, hlezi kungabi lamunye wethu ozaphepha ku-Abhisalomu. Kumele sisuke masinyane hlezi asixhume alethe incithakalo kithi njalo ahlasele idolobho ngenkemba.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Izikhulu zenkosi zaphendula zathi, “Izinceku zakho zilungele ukwenza loba yini umhlekazi wethu inkosi akukhethayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Inkosi yaphuma labendlu yayo bonke beyilandela; kodwa yatshiya abafazi beceleni abalitshumi ukuba bagcine isigodlo.

\VS{17}Ngakho inkosi yasuka, labantu bonke beyilandela, basebesima endaweni elibanga elithize.

\VS{18}Bonke abantu bayo bayedlula, ndawonye lawo wonke amaKherethi lamaPhelethi, kanye lawo wonke amaGithi angamakhulu ayisithupha ayehambe layo kusukela eGathi ahamba phambi kwenkosi.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Inkosi yasisithi ku-Ithayi umGithi, “Kungani uhamba lathi na? Buyela emuva uyehlala lenkosi u-Abhisalomu. Wena ungumuntu wezizweni, owaxotshwayo elizweni lakini.

\VS{20}Ufike izolo nje. Kambe sekungathi lamhla lokhu ngikwenze uzulazule lathi, mina ngingakwazi lalapho engingaya khona? Buyela emuva uthathe abantu bakini. Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angakwenzela umusa lokuhle.”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Kodwa u-Ithayi wayiphendula inkosi wathi, “Ngeqiniso elinjengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ekhona, njalo njengoba umhlekazi wami inkosi, ephila, loba kungaphi lapho umhlekazi wami inkosi ezakuba ikhona, loba kusitsho ukuphila kumbe ukufa, inceku yakho izakuba khonapho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}UDavida wasesithi ku-Ithayi, “Qhubeka, hamba.” Ngakho u-Ithayi umGithi wahamba labantu bakhe bonke kanye lezimuli ezazilaye.


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Ilizwe lonke lakhala kakhulu lapho abantu bonke besedlula. Inkosi yachapha isiHotsha saseKhidironi, abantu bonke bahamba beqonde enkangala.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}UZadokhi laye wayekhona, labaLevi bonke ababelaye babethwele ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu, njalo u-Abhiyathari wanikela imihlatshelo abantu bonke baze baphela ukusuka edolobheni.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Inkosi yasisithi kuZadokhi, “Buyisela ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu edolobheni. Ngingathola umusa emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}}, uzangibuyisela emuva enze ukuba ngilibone futhi kanye lendawo yakhe yokuhlala.

\VS{26}Kodwa angathi, ‘Kangithokozi ngawe,’ lapho-ke ngizilungisele; kenze kimi loba kuyini okukhanya kulungile kuye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Inkosi yabuya yathi kuZadokhi umphristi, “Uyazwisisa na? Buyela emuva edolobheni ngokuthula, lendodana yakho u-Ahimazi loJonathani indodana ka-Abhiyathari. Wena lo-Abhiyathari hambani lamadodana enu.

\VS{28}Mina ngizakuma emazibukweni enkangala kuze kufike ilizwi elivela kini lingazisa.”

\VS{29}Ngakho uZadokhi lo-Abhiyathari balibuyisela eJerusalema ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu lahlala khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{30}Kodwa uDavida waqhubeka ekhwela iNtaba yama-Oliva, ehamba ekhala; ikhanda lakhe lalimboziwe njalo ebhadula ngezinyawo. Bonke abantu ababelaye labo bamboza amakhanda abo njalo bakhwela bekhala.

\VS{31}UDavida wayetshelwe ukuthi, “U-Ahithofeli uphakathi kwabahlamuki lo-Abhisalomu.” Ngakho uDavida wakhuleka wathi, “Oh,
{\ND{Thixo}} phendula ukululeka kuka-Ahithofeli kube yibuthutha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{32}Kwathi uDavida esefikile engqongeni, lapho abantu ababejayele ukukhonzela khona uNkulunkulu, uHushayi umʼArikhi wayekhonapho ukuba amhlangabeze, isembatho sakhe sidabukile njalo elothuli ekhanda.

\VS{33}UDavida wathi kuye, “Ungahamba lami, uzakuba ngumthwalo onzima kimi.

\VS{34}Kodwa nxa ubuyela edolobheni uyekuthi ku-Abhisalomu, ‘Ngizakuba yinceku yakho, awu nkosi, ngangiyinceku kayihlo kudala, kodwa khathesi ngizakuba yinceku yakho,’ lapho-ke ungangisiza ngokufubisa izeluleko zika-Ahithofeli.

\VS{35}Abaphristi uZadokhi lo-Abhiyathari kabayikuba khonale lawe na? Batshele konke okuzwayo esigodlweni senkosi.

\VS{36}Amadodana abo amabili, u-Ahimazi indodana kaZadokhi loJonathani indodana ka-Abhiyathari, akhonale kanye labo. Bathumele kimi ngakho konke okuzwayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{37}Ngakho umngane kaDavida uHushayi wafika eJerusalema khonapho u-Abhisalomu laye engena edolobheni.




\par }\Chap{16}{\SH UDavida LoZibha
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwathi uDavida esehambe ibanga elifitshane ngale kwenqongo, wabona uZibha, isikhonzi sikaMefibhoshethi, elindele ukumhlangabeza, elodwendwe lwabobabhemi ababotshelwe izihlalo bethwele izinkwa ezingamakhulu amabili, ikhulu lamakhekhe ezithelo ezonyisiweyo, ikhulu lamakhekhe omkhiwa kanye lomgodla wewayini.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Inkosi yabuza uZibha yathi, “Ukuletheleni lokhu na?”

\par }{\PP UZibha waphendula wathi, “Obabhemi ngabendlu yenkosi ukuba bagade, izinkwa lezithelo ngokwabantu ukuba badle, iwayini ngelokuqaqabula labo abaphela amandla enkangala.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Inkosi yasibuza yathi, “Indodana yendodana yenkosi yakho ingaphi na?”

\par }{\PP UZibha wathi kuyo, “Ihlezi eJerusalema, ngoba icabanga ithi, ‘Lamhla indlu ka-Israyeli izangibuyisela umbuso kababamkhulu.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Inkosi yasisithi kuZibha, “Konke okwakungokuka Mefibhoshethi khathesi sekungokwakho.”

\par }{\PP UZibha wathi, “Ngikhothama ngokuzithoba. Sengathi ngingathola umusa emehlweni akho mhlekazi wami, nkosi.”


\par }{\SH UShimeyi Uthuka UDavida
\par }
{\PP \VS{5}Kwathi Inkosi uDavida efika eBhahurimi, umuntu wosendo lunye labendlu kaSawuli, waphuma evela lapho. Ibizo lakhe lalinguShimeyi indodana kaGera, njalo waphuma esethuka.

\VS{6}Wajikijela uDavida lezikhulu zonke zenkosi ngamatshe, lanxa amabutho wonke labalindi abakhethiweyo babengakwesokudla lakwesokhohlo kukaDavida.

\VS{7}Ekuthukeni kwakhe uShimeyi wathi, “Phuma, phuma, wena wegazi, wena sixhwali!

\VS{8}{\ND{UThixo}} usephindisele kuwe ngenxa yegazi lonke owalichithayo kwabendlu kaSawuli, wena osubusa esikhundleni sakhe.
{\ND{UThixo}} umbuso usewunike indodana yakho u-Abhisalomu. Wena usudilikile ngoba ungumuntu wegazi!”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Lapho-ke u-Abhishayi indodana kaZeruya wathi enkosini, “Kungani inja efileyo le ithuka inkosi yami? Ngivumelani ngiyequma ikhanda layo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Kodwa inkosi yathi, “Kuyini okulihlanganisa lami, lina madodana kaZeruya? Nxa ethuka ngenxa yokuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} uthe kuye, ‘Mthuke uDavida,’ ngubani ongabuza ukuthi, ‘Lokhu ukwenzelani na?’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}UDavida wasesithi ku-Abhishayi lakuzo zonke izikhulu zakhe, “Indodana yami, eyinyama yami, izama ukungibulala. Pho umBhenjamini lo-ke! Myekeleni enjalo; yekelani athuke, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} umtshele ukuba enze njalo.

\VS{12}Engxenye
{\ND{uThixo}} uzalubona usizi lwami angibuyisele okuhle ngenxa yokuthukwa engikwenziwayo lamhla.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ngakho uDavida labantu bonke waqhubeka elandela umgwaqo uShimeyi yena ehamba eyame intaba maqondana laye, ehamba elokhu ethuka njalo emjikijela ngamatshe emthela langengcekeza.

\VS{14}Inkosi labantu bayo bafika lapho ababesiya khona sebediniwe. Kulapho abaphumula khona.


\par }{\SH Iseluleko SikaHushayi Lo-Ahithofeli
\par }
{\PP \VS{15}Ngalesosikhathi, u-Abhisalomu labantu bonke bako-Israyeli bafika eJerusalema, lo-Ahithofeli wayelaye.

\VS{16}Lapho-ke uHushayi umʼArikhi, umngane kaDavida, waya ku-Abhisalomu wathi kuye, “Impilo ende nkosi! Impilo ende nkosi!”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}U-Abhisalomu wabuza uHushayi wathi, “Lolu yilo uthando olutshengisa umngane wakho na? Kungani ungahambanga lomngane wakho na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}UHushayi wathi ku-Abhisalomu, “Hayi, lowo okhethwe
{\ND{nguThixo}}, langabantu laba, labantu bonke bako-Israyeli ngizakuba ngowakhe, njalo ngizahlala laye.

\VS{19}Phezu kwalokho, ngubani engingamkhonza na? Akumelanga ngikhonze indodana na? Njengoba ngakhonza uyihlo, kanjalo ngizakukhonza.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}U-Abhisalomu wasesithi ku-Ahithofeli, “Ake useluleke. Kuyini esingakwenza na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}U-Ahithofeli waphendula wathi, “Lala labafazi bakayihlo abaseceleni abatshiya belinde isigodlo. Lapho-ke u-Israyeli wonke uzakuzwa ukuthi wena usuzenze waba liphunga elibi emakhaleni kayihlo, njalo izandla zabantu bonke abalawe zizaqiniswa.”

\VS{22}Ngakho u-Abhisalomu bamisela ithente phezu kophahla lwendlu, walala labafazi bakayise beceleni u-Israyeli wonke ekhangele.


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Ngalezonsuku iseluleko sika-Ahithofeli, sasifana lesalowo obuze uNkulunkulu. Lokho kwaba yiyo indlela uDavida lo-Abhisalomu abakhangela ngayo zonke izeluleko zika-Ahithofeli.




\par }\Chap{17}{\PP \VerseOne{1}U-Ahithofeli wathi ku-Abhisalomu, “Kahle ngikhethe abantu abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi lambili ngiphume lamhla ebusuku ngilandela uDavida.

\VS{2}Ngingamhlasela esadiniwe engelamandla. Ngingamtshayisa ngovalo, bonke abantu abalaye bazabaleka. Ngingabulala inkosi kuphela

\VS{3}abantu bonke ngibabuyisele kuwe. Ukufa komuntu omdingayo kuzakutsho ukuphenduka kwabo bonke; bonke abantu kabayikwenziwa lutho.”

\VS{4}Icebo leli lakhanya lilihle ku-Abhisalomu lakubo bonke abadala bako-Israyeli.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Kodwa u-Abhisalomu wathi, “Bizani loHushayi umʼArikhi, ukuze sizwe angakutsho.”

\VS{6}UHushayi esezile kuye, u-Abhisalomu wathi, “U-Ahithofeli usesinike iseluleko lesi. Sikwenze yini lokhu akutshoyo? Nxa kungenjalo, sinike owakho umcabango.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}UHushayi waphendula u-Abhisalomu wathi, “Iseluleko osiphiwe ngu-Ahithofeli kasilunganga ngalesi isikhathi.

\VS{8}Uyamazi uyihlo labantu bakhe, bangamaqhawe, njalo bathukuthela okwebhele leganga lithathelwe imidlwane yalo. Langaphandle kwalokho, uyihlo liqhawe eliyaziyo impi, kabuchithi ubusuku elamabutho.

\VS{9}Lakhathesi nje, ucatshile ebhalwini loba enye indawo. Nxa yena engahlasela amabutho akho kuqala, loba ngubani ozakuzwa ngakho uzakuthi, ‘Kube lokuqothulwa phakathi kwamabutho alandela u-Abhisalomu.’

\VS{10}Lapho-ke lebutho elilesibindi kulawo wonke, elinhliziyo yalo ifana lenhliziyo yesilwane, lizahedezela ngokwesaba ngoba u-Israyeli wonke uyakwazi ukuthi uyihlo liqhawe kanye lokuthi labo abalaye balesibindi.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngakho ngiyakucebisa: Akuthi abako-Israyeli bonke, kusukela koDani kusiya eBherishebha, ngobunengi obunjengetshebetshebe ekhunjini lolwandle, babuthane kuwe, kuthi wena ngokwakho ubakhokhele empini.

\VS{12}Lapho-ke sizamhlasela loba kungaphi lapho angaficwa khona, njalo sizakwehlela phezu kwakhe njengamazolo ewela emhlabathini. Loba yena kumbe loba bani wabantu bakhe kakho ozasala ephila.

\VS{13}Angabalekela edolobheni u-Israyeli wonke uzakuza lezintambo edolobheni, silihudulele phansi esigodini kuze kungabe kusatholakala lesihletshana salo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}U-Abhisalomu labantu bonke bako-Israyeli bathi, “Iseluleko sikaHushayi umʼArikhi singcono kulesika-Ahithofeli.” Ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} wayeqonde ukufubisa iseluleko esilungileyo sika-Ahithofeli ukuze alethele u-Abhisalomu incithakalo.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}UHushayi watshela uZadokhi lo-Abhiyathari, abaphristi, wathi, “U-Ahithofeli usecebise u-Abhisalomu labadala bako-Israyeli ukuba benze ukuthi lokuthi, kodwa mina sengibacebise ukuthi benze okunje lokunje.

\VS{16}Khathesi-ke thumelani lizwi ngokuphangisa litshele uDavida ukuthi, ‘Ngalobubusuku ungalali emazibukweni asenkangala; chaphela ngaphetsheya kungekho kuphutha, hlezi inkosi labantu bonke abalayo baminzwe.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}UJonathani lo-Ahimazi babehlala e-Eni Rogeli. Intombazana eyinceku yayizahamba iyebatshela, labo bezahamba bayetshela inkosi uDavida, ngoba babengeke bazifake engozini yokubonakala bengena edolobheni.

\VS{18}Kodwa ijaha elithile lababona laselitshela u-Abhisalomu. Ngakho bobabili basuka masinyane baya endlini yomuntu othile eBhahurimi. Wayelomthombo egumeni lakhe, bangena kuwo.

\VS{19}Umkakhe wathatha okokwembesa wakwendlala phezu komlomo womthombo wasehaza amabele phezu kwakho. Kakho owayesazi ulutho ngakho.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Abantu baka-Abhisalomu sebefike kowesifazane lowo endlini, bambuza bathi, “U-Ahimazi loJonathani bangaphi?”

\par }{\PP Owesifazane wabaphendula wathi, “Bachaphele ngaphetsheya kwesifudlana.” Abantu labo badinga kodwa kabatholanga muntu, ngakho babuyela eJerusalema.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Abantu labo sebehambile, ababili labo baphuma emthonjeni basebesiyatshela inkosi uDavida. Bathi kuyo, “Suka uchaphe umfula masinyane; u-Ahithofeli usecebise ukuthi lokuthi okubi ngawe.”

\VS{22}Ngakho uDavida labantu bonke ababelaye basuka bachapha iJodani. Kwathi kusisa, engasekho owayesele engakachaphi iJodani.


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Kwathi u-Ahithofeli ebona ukuthi iseluleko sakhe sasingalandelwanga, wabophela isihlalo kubabhemi wakhe wasuka waya endlini yakhe emzini wakibo. Walungisa indlu yakhe, wasezibophela. Ngakho wafa wangcwatshwa ethuneni likayise.


\par }{\SH Ukufa Kuka-Abhisalomu
\par }
{\PP \VS{24}UDavida waya eMahanayimi, kwathi u-Abhisalomu wachapha iJodani labantu bonke bako-Israyeli.

\VS{25}U-Abhisalomu wayesebeke u-Amasa ukuba ngumlawuli webutho esikhundleni sikaJowabi. U-Amasa wayeyindodana yomuntu owayethiwa nguJetha, umʼIsrayeli owayethethe u-Abhigeli indodakazi kaNahashi udadewabo kaZeruya unakaJowabi.

\VS{26}Abako-Israyeli lo-Abhisalomu bamisa elizweni laseGiliyadi.


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Kwathi uDavida esefikile eMahanayimi, uShobhi indodana kaNahashi waseRabha yama-Amoni, loMakhiri indodana ka-Amiyeli waseLo-Debhari, loBhazilayi umGiliyadi waseRogelimi

\VS{28}bamlethela okokwendlala lemiganu lempahla ezenziwe ngebumba. Bamlethela lamabele kanye lebhali, ifulawa lamabele akhanzingiweyo, indumba lamalentili,

\VS{29}uluju lamasi, izimvu, letshizi evela echagweni lwamankomokazi ukuba uDavida labantu bakhe badle. Ngoba bathi, “Abantu sebelambile njalo badiniwe futhi bomile enkangala.”




\par }\Chap{18}{\SH Ukufa Kuka-Abhisalomu
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UDavida wabutha bonke abantu ababelaye wababekela abalawuli bezinkulungwane labalawuli bamakhulu.

\VS{2}UDavida wahlukanisa amabutho akhe, ingxenye eyodwa kokuthathu ilawulwa nguJowabi, ingxenye eyodwa ingaphansi komfowabo kaJowabi u-Abhishayi indodana kaZeruya, lengxenye eyodwa kokuthathu ingaphansi kuka-Ithayi umGithi. Inkosi yatshela amabutho yathi, “Mina ngokwami impela ngizaphuma lani.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kodwa abantu bathi, “Akumelanga uphume; nxa sizancindezeleka ukuba sibaleke, kabayikuzihlupha ngathi. Lanxa kungaze kufe ingxenye yethu, kabayikuzihlupha; kodwa wena ulingana labethu abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi. Kungabangcono khathesi ukuba usisekele usedolobheni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Inkosi yaphendula yathi, “Ngizakwenza loba kuyini lokho okukhanya kungcono kini.”

\par }{\PP Ngakho inkosi yema eceleni kwesango abantu sebephuma ngamaviyo amakhulu lawezinkulungwane.

\VS{5}Inkosi yalaya uJowabi, lo-Abhishayi kanye lo-Ithayi yathi, “Libe lesisa ejaheni u-Abhisalomu ngenxa yami.” Amabutho wonke ayizwa inkosi ilaya umlawuli ngamunye ngo-Abhisalomu.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ibutho lahamba lisiya egangeni ukuyakulwa lo-Israyeli, njalo ukulwa kwenzakala eguswini lako-Efrayimi.

\VS{7}Khonapho ibutho lako-Israyeli lehlulwa ngabantu bakaDavida, njalo ukubulalana kwaba kukhulu ngalelolanga, abantu abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili.

\VS{8}Impi yaqhela yagcwala ilizwe lonke, njalo igusu laqeda abantu abanengi kulenkemba ngalolosuku.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kwenzakala nje ukuthi u-Abhisalomu ahlangane labantu bakaDavida. Wayegade imbongolo yakhe, kwasekusithi imbongolo idlula ngaphansi kwezingatsha ezenileyo zesihlahla esikhulu somʼOkhi, ikhanda lika-Abhisalomu labanjwa esihlahleni. Wasala elenga emoyeni, imbongolo ayeyigadile ilokhu ihamba.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Kwathi omunye wabantu esebone lokhu, watshela uJowabi wathi, “Ngibone u-Abhisalomu elenga esihlahleni somʼOkhi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}UJowabi wasesithi emuntwini owayemtshele lokhu, “Ini? Umbonile? Pho kungani ungamcakazelanga phansi khonapho na? Kade ngizakupha amashekeli esiliva alitshumi kanye lebhanti lobuqhawe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Kodwa umuntu lowo waphendula wathi, “Lanxa amashekeli ayinkulungwane engalinganiselwa ezandleni zami, ngingeke ngiphakamise isandla sami ngihlasele indodana yenkosi. Sizizwele inkosi ilaya wena lo-Abhishayi kanye lo-Ithayi yathi, ‘Vikelani ijaha u-Abhisalomu ngenxa yami.’

\VS{13}Aluba ngibeke ukuphila kwami engozini njalo akulanto efihlakeleyo enkosini, ubungayikuba lobuzalwane lami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}UJowabi wathi, “Mina angiyikulindela wena kanje.” Ngakho wathatha imikhonto emithathu wayitikitela enhliziyweni ka-Abhisalomu, u-Abhisalomu elokhu esaphila esesihlahleni somʼOkhi.

\VS{15}Njalo abathwali bezikhali zikaJowabi bamhanqa u-Abhisalomu, bamtshaya bambulala.


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Emva kwalokho uJowabi wakhalisa icilongo, amabutho aseyekela ukuxotshana lo-Israyeli, ngoba uJowabi wawamisa.

\VS{17}Bamthatha u-Abhisalomu bamphosela egodini elikhulu eguswini babuthelela inqwaba enkulu yamatshe phezu kwakhe. Ngalesosikhathi wonke u-Israyeli wabalekela ekhaya lakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}U-Abhisalomu esaphila wayethethe insika wayimisa eSigodini seNkosi njengesikhumbuzo sakhe, ngoba wacabanga wathi, “Angilandodana yokuqhuba ukukhunjulwa kwebizo lami.” Insika wayibiza ngaye, njalo ithiwa Isikhumbuzo sika-Abhisalomu kuze kube lamhla.


\par }{\SH UDavida Uyalila
\par }
{\PP \VS{19}Ngalesosikhathi u-Ahimazi indodana kaZadokhi wathi, “Kuhle ngigijime ngihambise umbiko enkosini ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} useyihlengile esandleni sezitha zayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}UJowabi wathi kuye, “Kawusuwe omele ahambise imibiko lamhla. Ungayihambisa imibiko ngesinye isikhathi, kodwa akumelanga wenzenjalo lamhla, ngoba indodana yenkosi ifile.”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}UJowabi wasesithi kumKhushi, “Hamba uyetshela inkosi lokho okubonileyo.” UmKhushi wakhothama phambi kukaJowabi wasesuka egijima.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}U-Ahimazi indodana kaZadokhi waphinda wathi kuJowabi, “Loba kunjani, ake ungivumele ngigijime ngilandele umKhushi.”

\par }{\PP Kodwa uJowabi waphendula wathi, “Ndodana yami, kungani ufuna ukuhamba? Kawulambiko ozakulethela umvuzo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Yena wathi, “Loba kunjani, mina ngifuna ukugijima.”

\par }{\PP Ngakho uJowabi wathi, “Gijima!” U-Ahimazi wagijima ngendlela yasemagcekeni, wamdlula umKhushi.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Kwathi uDavida ehlezi phakathi kwesango langaphakathi lelangaphandle, umlindi wakhwela waya phezulu ephahleni lwesango, phansi komduli. Kwathi lapho ekhangela, wabona umuntu egijima eyedwa.

\VS{25}Umlindi wamemeza inkosi wayibikela lokho.

\par }{\PP Inkosi yathi, “Nxa eyedwa, uzakuba lezindaba ezinhle.” Umuntu waqhubeka elokhu esondela eduze.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Umlindi wabona omunye umuntu egijima, wasebiza umlindi wesango ngaphansi, wathi, “Khangela, omunye umuntu ugijima eyedwa!”

\par }{\PP Inkosi yathi, “Laye uzakuba ngoletha izindaba ezinhle.”


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Umlindi wasesithi, “Ngibona angathi owakuqala ugijima njengo-Ahimazi indodana kaZadokhi.”

\par }{\PP Inkosi yathi, “Ungumuntu olungileyo. Uza lezindaba ezinhle.”


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Lapho-ke u-Ahimazi wamemeza enkosini wasesithi, “Konke kulungile.” Wakhothama phambi kwenkosi wathi mbo phansi ngobuso, wathi, “Kadunyiswe
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho. Usebanikele abantu abaphakamisa izandla zabo ukuhlasela inkosi yami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Inkosi yasibuza isithi, “Ijaha u-Abhisalomu usindile na?”

\par }{\PP U-Ahimazi waphendula wathi, “Ngibone ukuphithizela okukhulu uJowabi esezathuma inceku yenkosi lami, inceku yakho, kodwa kangazi ukuthi kade kuyini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{30}Inkosi yasisithi, “Buyela eceleni ume khona.” Ngakho wabuyela eceleni wama khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{31}Lapho-ke umKhushi wafika wathi, “Mhlekazi wami, nkosi, zwana izindaba ezinhle!
{\ND{UThixo}} lamhla usekukhulule kubo bonke abakuhlamukelayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{32}Inkosi yambuza yathi, “Ijaha u-Abhisalomu usindile na?”

\par }{\PP UmKhushi waphendula wathi, “Sengathi izitha zomhlekazi inkosi yami labo bonke abayihlamukelayo ukuba bayilimaze bangaba njengejaha leliyana.”


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Inkosi yadabuka kakhulu. Yakhwela yaya ekamelweni elingaphezu kwesango yakhala. Yahamba ikhala isithi, “Oh, ndodana yami Abhisalomu! Ndodana yami, ndodana yami Abhisalomu! Aluba kufe mina esikhundleni sakho, Oh Abhisalomu, ndodana yami, ndodana yami!”




\par }\Chap{19}{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJowabi watshelwa kwathiwa, “Inkosi iyakhala ililela u-Abhisalomu.”

\VS{2}Njalo kulolonke ibutho ukunqoba kwamhlalokho kwaguqulelwa ekulileni, ngoba ngalolosuku amabutho ezwa kuthiwa, “Inkosi ilusizi ngendodana yayo.”

\VS{3}Ngalolosuku abantu bangena benyenya edolobheni njengabantu abalenhloni bengena benyenya lapho bebaleka empini.

\VS{4}Inkosi yamboza ubuso bayo yakhala kakhulu isithi, “Oh ndodana yami Abhisalomu! Oh Abhisalomu, ndodana yami, ndodana yami!”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}UJowabi wayangena endlini enkosini wathi, “Lamhla ubayangisile bonke abantu bakho, abasanda kusindisa impilo yakho lempilo yamadodana akho lamadodakazi lempilo yabomkakho kanye labafazi bakho beceleni.

\VS{6}Uthanda abakuzondayo uzonde abakuthandayo. Ukwenze kwabasobala lamhla ukuthi abalawuli bebutho labantu babo kabasilutho kuwe. Ngiyabona ukuthi ubuzathokoza aluba u-Abhisalomu ubephila lamhla thina sonke sifile.

\VS{7}Khathesi-ke phuma uyequnga abantu bakho isibindi. Ngiyafunga
{\ND{ngoThixo}} ukuthi nxa ungaphumi akulamuntu ozabe esele lawe kufika ukuhlwa. Lokhu kuzakuba kubi kakhulu kuwe kulayo yonke incithakalo eseyake yakwehlela kusukela ebutsheni bakho kuze kube khathesi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Ngakho inkosi yasukuma yahamba lesihlalo sayo esangweni. Abantu sebezwe kuthiwa, “Inkosi ihlezi esangweni,” bonke baya phambi kwayo.

\par }{\PP Ngalesosikhathi abako-Israyeli basebebalekele emizini yabo.


\par }{\SH UDavida Ubuyela EJerusalema
\par }
{\PP \VS{9}Kuzozonke izizwana zako-Israyeli, abantu bonke babephikisana besithi, “Inkosi isisindisile esandleni sezitha zethu; yiyo eyasihlengayo esandleni samaFilistiya. Kodwa khathesi isibalekile elizweni ngenxa ka-Abhisalomu;

\VS{10}njalo u-Abhisalomu, esamgcobayo ukuba asibuse, ufile empini. Ngakho kungani lingatsho lutho ngokubuyisa inkosi na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Inkosi uDavida wathumela ilizwi kuZadokhi lo-Abhiyathari, abaphristi esithi, “Buzani abadala bakoJuda ukuthi, ‘Kungani lisiba ngabokucina ekubuyiseleni inkosi esigodlweni sayo njengoba okukhulunywayo kulolonke elako-Israyeli sekufikile enkosini lapho ehlala khona na?

\VS{12}Lingabafowethu, inyama yami legazi lami. Ngakho kungani lisiba ngabokucina ukubuyisa inkosi?’

\VS{13}Njalo lithi ku-Amasa, ‘Wena kawusinyama yami legazi lami na? Sengathi uNkulunkulu angangijezisa, kube kanzima kakhulu, nxa ungasuye mlawuli webutho lami esikhundleni sikaJowabi, kusukela khathesi.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Wazuza ukusekelwa ngabantu bonke bakoJuda kwangathi babengumuntu munye. Bathumela ilizwi enkosini besithi, “Buya, wena kanye labantu bakho bonke.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Ngakho inkosi yabuyela yahamba yaze yayafika eJodani. Ngalesosikhathi abantu bakoJuda basebefikile eGiligali ukuze baphume bayehlangabeza inkosi bayilethe ngaphetsheya kweJodani.

\VS{16}UShimeyi indodana kaGera, umBhenjamini waseBhahurimi, wehla ngokuphangisa labantu bakoJuda ukuyahlangabeza inkosi uDavida.

\VS{17}Wayelabantu bakoBhenjamini abayinkulungwane, kanye loZibha, isikhonzi sabendlu kaSawuli, lamadodana akhe alitshumi lanhlanu kanye lezinceku ezingamatshumi amabili. Baphangisa ukuya eJodani lapho inkosi eyayikhona.

\VS{18}Bachapha ezibukweni ukuze bahambise abendlu yenkosi ngaphetsheya lokwenza loba kuyini ekufunayo.

\par }{\PP UShimeyi indodana kaGera esechaphe iJodani, waziwisela phansi wathi bhazalala phambi kwenkosi

\VS{19}wathi kuyo, “Inkosi kayingangenzi olecala. Ungakhumbuli okubi okwenziwa yinceku yakho mhlekazi wami ngosuku inkosi eyasuka ngalo eJerusalema. Sengathi inkosi ingakwesula engqondweni yayo.

\VS{20}Ngoba mina nceku yakho ngiyakwazi ukuthi ngenza isono, kodwa lamhla ngize lapha njengowakuqala kuyo yonke indlu kaJosefa ukuzahlangabeza umhlekazi wami, inkosi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Lapho-ke u-Abhishayi indodana kaZeruya wathi, “UShimeyi akumelanga abulawe ngenxa yalokhu na? Wathuka ogcotshiweyo
{\ND{kaThixo}}.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}UDavida waphendula wathi, “Kuyini lina lami esihlanganyela kukho, lina madodana kaZeruya? Ngalelilanga lina selibe yizitha zami! Kufanele kube lomuntu obulawayo ko-Israyeli lamhla na? Kangazi yini ukuthi lamhla ngiyinkosi yako-Israyeli?”

\VS{23}Ngakho inkosi yathi kuShimeyi, “Kawuyikufa.” Njalo inkosi yamthembisa ngokufunga.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}UMefibhoshethi, indodana yendodana kaSawuli, laye wehla ukuyahlangabeza inkosi. Wayengazigezanga inyawo zakhe kumbe agele indevu zakhe loba agezise izigqoko zakhe kusukela ngelanga inkosi eyasuka ngalo kwaze kwaba lilanga eyabuya ngalo isindile.

\VS{25}Esefikile evela eJerusalema ukuzahlangabeza inkosi, inkosi yambuza yathi, “Kungani ungahambanga lami, Mefibhoshethi?”


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Yena wathi, “Mhlekazi wami, nkosi, njengoba mina nceku yakho ngiqhula, ngathi, ‘Ngizabophela isihlalo kubabhemi wami ngigade phezu kwaso, ukuze ngihambe lenkosi yami.’ Kodwa uZibha inceku yami wangikhohlisa.

\VS{27}Njalo usehlinikeze inceku yakho kuwe mhlekazi nkosi yami. Mhlekazi wami, inkosi injengengilosi kaNkulunkulu; ngakho yenza lokho okukuthokozisayo.

\VS{28}Bonke abenzalo kababamkhulu kabafanelanga lutho kodwa ukubulawa ngumhlekazi wami inkosi, kodwa inceku yakho uyiphe indawo phakathi kwalabo abadla etafuleni lakho. Ngakho ngilelungelo bani lokukhalaza njalo enkosini?”


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Inkosi yathi kuye, “Usakhulumelani okunye? Ngiyalilaya wena loZibha ukuba lahlukaniselane amasimu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{30}UMefibhoshethi wathi enkosini, “Kathathe konke, njengoba khathesi umhlekazi wami usefikile ekhaya kungekho ngozi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{31}UBhazilayi umGiliyadi laye wehla evela eRogelimi ukuyachapha iJodani elenkosi lokuyayivalelisela khona.

\VS{32}UBhazilayi wayesengumuntu omdala, eseleminyaka engamatshumi ayisificaminwembili. Wayenike inkosi ukudla ekuhlaleni kwayo eMahanayimi, ngoba wayengumuntu onothe kakhulu.

\VS{33}Inkosi yathi kuBhazilayi, “Chaphela ngaphetsheya lami uyehlala lami eJerusalema ngizakupha okuswelayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{34}Kodwa uBhazilayi wayiphendula inkosi wathi, “Mingaki eminye iminyaka engisezayiphila, ukuba ngiye eJerusalema lenkosi na?

\VS{35}Khathesi ngileminyaka engamatshumi ayisificaminwembili ubudala. Ngingabe ngisawutsho yini umahluko phakathi kokuhle lokungekuhle na? Inceku yakho ingabe isakunambitha ekudlayo lekunathayo na? Ngingabe ngisawezwa amazwi abahlabeleli besilisa labesifazane na? Kungani inceku yakho kumele ibe ngomunye umthwalo njalo kumhlekazi wami, inkosi na?

\VS{36}Inceku yakho izachaphela ngaphetsheya kweJodani lenkosi ummangwana omfitshane, pho kungani inkosi kumele ingiphe umvuzo ongaka na?

\VS{37}Yekela inceku yakho ibuyele, ukuze ngiyefela emzini wakithi eduze lengcwaba likababa lomama. Kodwa nansi inceku yakho uKhimihami. Kachaphele ngaphetsheya lomhlekazi inkosi yami. Menzele lokho okukuthokozisayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{38}Inkosi yasisithi, “UKhimihami uzachaphela ngaphetsheya lami, njalo ngizamenzela okukuthokozisayo. Njalo loba yini oyifuna kimi ngizakwenzela yona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{39}Ngakho abantu bonke bachapha iJodani, inkosi yasichaphela ngaphetsheya. Inkosi yamanga uBhazilayi yambusisa, uBhazilayi wasebuyela emzini wakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{40}Kwathi inkosi ichaphela eGiligali, uKhimihami wachapha layo. Wonke amabutho akoJuda lengxenye yamabutho ako-Israyeli ayeyichaphisile inkosi.


\par }{\PP \VS{41}Masinyane bonke abantu bako-Israyeli baya enkosini bathi kuyo, “Kungani abafowethu, abantu bakoJuda, bentshontshe inkosi yethu bayisa ngaphetsheya kweJodani yona labendlu yayo kanye labantu bonke na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{42}Bonke abantu bakoJuda baphendula abantu bako-Israyeli bathi, “Lokhu sikwenzile ngoba inkosi ilobuhlobo obuseduze kakhulu lathi. Kulicaphula ngani lokho? Sike sadla olunye ulutho lwenkosi na? Sike sazithathela enye into na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{43}Abantu bako-Israyeli basebephendula abantu bakoJuda besithi, “Thina silezabelo ezilitshumi enkosini, njalo ngaphandle kwalokho thina silelungelo elikhulu kulelenu ngoDavida. Pho kungani lisidelela? Kasibanga ngabokuqala na ukukhuluma ngokubuyisa inkosi yethu?”

\par }{\PP Kodwa abantu bakoJuda baphendula ngamazwi alukhuni kakhulu kulawabantu bako-Israyeli.




\par }\Chap{20}{\SH UShebha Uhlamukela UDavida
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngalesosikhathi kwenzakala ukuthi umxabanisi owayethiwa nguShebha indodana kaBhikhiri umBhenjamini abekhona. Wakhalisa icilongo waklabalala esithi,

\par }{\Q “Kasilasabelo kuDavida,

\par }{\QB kasilangxenye endodaneni kaJese!

\par }{\Q Umuntu wonke ethenteni lakhe, Oh Israyeli!”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Ngakho bonke abantu bako-Israyeli bahlubuka kuDavida balandela uShebha indodana kaBhikhiri. Kodwa abantu bakoJuda babambelela enkosini yabo umango wonke kusukela eJodani kusiya eJerusalema.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}UDavida esebuyele esigodlweni sakhe eJerusalema, wathatha abafazi bakhe beceleni abalitshumi ayebatshiye begcine isigodlo wababeka endlini elindwayo. Wabanika ababekuswela, kodwa kembathanga labo. Babehlala bevalelwe kuze kube lusuku lokufa kwabo, baphila njengabafelokazi.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Inkosi yasisithi ku-Amasa, “Biza abantu bakoJuda beze kimi phakathi kwensuku ezintathu, lawe ube lapha wena ngokwakho.”

\VS{5}Kodwa u-Amasa eseyebiza uJuda, wathatha isikhathi eside kulaleso inkosi eyayimisele sona.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}UDavida wasesithi ku-Abhishayi, “Khathesi uShebha indodana kaBhikhiri uzasenzela umonakalo odlula owenziwa ngu-Abhisalomu. Thatha abantu benkosi yakho umlandele, hlezi athole amadolobho avikelweyo aphunyuke kithi.”

\VS{7}Ngakho abantu bakaJowabi lamaKherethi lamaPhelethi kanye lamaqhawe wonke alamandla baphuma belawulwa ngu-Abhishayi. Bahamba besuka eJerusalema belandela uShebha indodana kaBhikhiri.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Kwathi besesedwaleni elikhulu eGibhiyoni, u-Amasa wayabahlangabeza. UJowabi wayegqoke ibhatshi lakhe lempi, phezu kwalo, ekhalweni lwakhe, kubophe ibhanti lilomhedla esikhwameni sawo. Esahamba esiya phambili, umhedla wawela ngaphandle kwesikhwama sawo.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UJowabi wasesithi ku-Amasa, “Unjani, mfowethu?” UJowabi wasebamba u-Amasa ngendevu ngesandla sakhe sokudla wasemanga.

\VS{10}U-Amasa kawunanzelelanga umhedla owawuphethwe nguJowabi, uJowabi wasemgwaza esiswini sakhe, amathumbu akhe ahutshukela phandle emhlabathini. Lanxa engasagwazwanga futhi, u-Amasa wafa. Emva kwalokho uJowabi lomfowabo u-Abhishayi baxotshana loShebha indodana kaBhikhiri.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Omunye wabantu bakaJowabi wema phansi kuka-Amasa wathi, “Lowo othanda uJowabi, lalowo ongokaDavida, kalandele uJowabi!”

\VS{12}U-Amasa walala ezibhixeka egazini lakhe phakathi komgwaqo, umuntu lowo wabona ukuthi amabutho wonke afika ame khonapho. Kwathi esenanzelele ukuthi umuntu wonke owafika ku-Amasa wema, wamhudula emsusa emgwaqweni wamusa egangeni, waphosela isembatho phezu kwakhe.

\VS{13}Emva kokuba u-Amasa esesusiwe emgwaqweni, abantu bonke bedlula loJowabi ukuyaxotshana loShebha indodana kaBhikhiri.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}UShebha wadabula phakathi kwazo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli kusiya e-Abheli-Bhethi-Mahakha laphakathi kwesabelo sonke samaBikiri, aqoqanayo amlandela.

\VS{15}Wonke amabutho ayeloJowabi afika amvimbezela uShebha e-Abheli-Bhethi-Mahakha. Bakha idundulu lokuvimbezela elalifika edolobheni njalo laleyame izinqaba zangaphandle. Besagqula umduli ukuba bawudilize,

\VS{16}owesifazane ohlakaniphileyo wamemeza esedolobheni wathi, “Lalelani! Lalelani! Tshelani uJowabi eze lapha ukuze ngikhulume laye.”

\VS{17}Wahamba esiya kuye, wasembuza esithi, “UnguJowabi na?”

\par }{\PP Yena waphendula wathi, “Nginguye.”

\par }{\PP Wasesithi, “Lalela okuzatshiwo yincekukazi yakho.”

\par }{\PP Wathi, “Ngilalele.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Owesifazane waqhubeka wathi, “Kudala babejwayele ukuthi, ‘Funani impendulo e-Abheli-Bhethi-Mahakha,’ lokho kwakuyiqeda indaba.

\VS{19}Thina singabathuleyo labathembekileyo ko-Israyeli. Wena uzama ukudiliza idolobho elingunina ko-Israyeli. Kungani ufuna ukuginya ilifa
{\ND{likaThixo}} na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}UJowabi waphendula wathi, “Akusikho lokho! Akusikho lokho ukuginya loba ukudiliza!

\VS{21}Akunjalo. Umuntu othiwa nguShebha indodana kaBhikhiri, owaselizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi, uphakamisele inkosi isandla sakhe emelana layo, emelana loDavida. Mletheni umuntu lowo, ngisuke edolobheni.”

\par }{\PP Owesifazane wathi kuJowabi “Ikhanda lakhe lizaphoswa kuwe lisuka emdulini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Emva kwalokho owesifazane lowo waya ebantwini bonke leseluleko sakhe esikhaliphileyo, baquma ikhanda likaShebha indodana kaBhikhiri baliphosela kuJowabi. Ngakho wakhalisa icilongo, abantu bakhe bachitheka besuka edolobheni, lowo lalowo ebuyela emzini wakhe. UJowabi wabuyela enkosini eJerusalema.


\par }{\SH Iziphathamandla ZikaDavida
\par }
{\LI \VS{23}UJowabi wayephethe lonke ibutho lako-Israyeli;

\par }{\LI uBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada ephethe amaKherethi lamaPhelethi;


\par }{\LI \VS{24}u-Adoniramu wayephethe izibhalwa;

\par }{\LI uJehoshafathi indodana ka-Ahiludi

\par }{\LI wayengumbhali;


\par }{\LI \VS{25}uSheva engumabhalane;

\par }{\LI uZadokhi lo-Abhiyathari bengabaphristi;


\par }{\LI \VS{26}u-Ira umJayiri engumphristi kaDavida.




\par }\Chap{21}{\SH AmaGibhiyoni Ayaphindisela
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ekubuseni kukaDavida kwaba lendlala iminyaka emithathu ilandelana; ngakho uDavida wabuza
{\ND{uThixo}}.
{\ND{UThixo}} wathi, “Kungenxa kaSawuli lendlu yakhe enindwe ngegazi; kungenxa yokuthi yena wabulala amaGibhiyoni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Inkosi yabiza amaGibhiyoni yakhuluma lawo. (AbaseGibhiyoni babengasiyo ngxenye ka-Israyeli kodwa babengabasalayo bama-Amori, abako-Israyeli babefunge ukubayekela, kodwa uSawuli ngenxa yokutshisekela kwakhe u-Israyeli loJuda wafuna ukubaqeda du.)

\VS{3}UDavida wabuza amaGibhiyoni wathi, “Kuyini engingalenzela khona na? Ngingakwenza njani ukubuyisana ukuze libusise ilifa
{\ND{likaThixo}} na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}AmaGibhiyoni amphendula athi, “Kasilalo ilungelo lokufuna isiliva loba igolide kuSawuli kumbe kwabendlu yakhe, lelungelo lokubulala umuntu ko-Israyeli kasilalo.”

\par }{\PP UDavida wabuza wathi, “Pho lifuna ukuthi ngilenzeleni?”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Bayiphendula inkosi bathi, “Umuntu owasichithayo waceba okubi ngathi saze satshabalala njalo kasaze saba lendawo loba ngaphi ko-Israyeli,

\VS{6}kasinikwe abenzalo yakhe besilisa abayisikhombisa ukuba babulawe balengiswe phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} eGibhiya kaSawuli, okhethiweyo
{\ND{kaThixo}}.”

\par }{\PP Ngakho inkosi yathi, “Ngizalinika bona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Kodwa uMefibhoshethi indodana kaJonathani, indodana kaSawuli, inkosi yamtshiya ngenxa yesifungo phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} phakathi kukaDavida loJonathani indodana kaSawuli.

\VS{8}Kodwa inkosi yathatha u-Arimoni loMefibhoshethi amadodana amabili endodakazi ka-Ayiya uRizipha, ayemzale loSawuli, kanye lamadodana amahlanu endodakazi kaSawuli uMerabi, ayewazale lo-Adiriyeli indodana kaBhazilayi waseMehola.

\VS{9}Yabanikeza kumaGibhiyoni, ababulala abachaya eqaqeni phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}. Bonke beyisikhombisa bafela ndawonye; babulawa ngezinsuku zakuqala zokuvuna, ukuvunwa kwebhali kuqalisa nje.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}URizipha indodakazi ka-Ayiya wathatha isaka wazendlalela lona edwaleni. Kusukela ekuqaliseni kokuvuna izulu laze lana livela emazulwini linetha izidumbu, kavumelanga izinyoni zasemoyeni ukuba zizithinte emini loba izinyamazana zeganga ebusuku.

\VS{11}Kwathi uDavida esetshelwe ngokwakwenziwe yindodakazi ka-Ayiya uRizipha, umfazi kaSawuli weceleni,

\VS{12}wahamba wayathatha amathambo kaSawuli lawendodana yakhe uJonathani ebantwini baseJabheshi Giliyadi. (Babewathathe ensitha enkundleni kazulu eBhethi-Shani, lapho amaFilistiya ayewachaye khona emva kokubulala kwawo uSawuli eGilibhowa.)

\VS{13}UDavida wawathatha khonapho amathambo kaSawuli lawendodana yakhe uJonathani, lamathambo alabo ababebulawe babuye bachaywa abuthwa.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Amathambo kaSawuli lawendodana yakhe uJonathani bawangcwaba ethuneni likasekaSawuli uKhishi, eZela koBhenjamini, benza konke njengokulaya kwenkosi. Emva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wayiphendula imikhuleko eyenzelwa ilizwe.


\par }{\SH Izimpi Kulwisana LamaFilistiya
\par }
{\PP \VS{15}Kwaphinda kwaba lempi futhi phakathi kwamaFilistiya lo-Israyeli. UDavida wahamba labantu bakhe ukuyakulwa lamaFilistiya, wasedinwa.

\VS{16}U-Ishibhi-Bhenobi, omunye wabenzalo kaRafa, isihloko somkhonto wakhe wethusi esasilobunzima obungamashekeli angamakhulu amathathu, njalo ehlome ngenkemba entsha, wathi uzabulala uDavida.

\VS{17}Kodwa u-Abhishayi indodana kaZeruya wamhlenga uDavida; wamcakazela phansi umFilistiya lowo wambulala. Abantu bakaDavida bafunga kuye bathi, “Kawuyikuhamba lathi futhi empini, ukuze isibane sika-Israyeli singacitshwa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Ngokuqhubeka kwesikhathi kwaba lenye impi futhi lamaFilistiya, eGobi. Ngalesosikhathi uSibhekhayi umHushathi wabulala uSafi, omunye wabosendo kaRafa.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Kweyinye impi lamaFilistiya njalo eGobi, u-Elihanani indodana kaJayiri umBhethilehema wabulala umfowabo kaGoliyathi umGithi, owayelomkhonto owawuloluthi olunjengogodo lomaluki.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Kanti njalo kwenye impi eyalwelwa eGathi, kwakulendoda enkulu kakhulu ileminwe eyisithupha esandleni ngasinye lamazwane ayisithupha enyaweni ngalunye, sekubalwa konke ndawonye kungamatshumi amabili lane. Laye wayengowosendo lukaRafa.

\VS{21}Kwathi echothoza u-Israyeli, uJonathani indodana kaShimeya, umfowabo kaDavida, wambulala.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Abane laba babengabosendo lukaRafa eGathi, bonke babulawa nguDavida lamabutho akhe.




\par }\Chap{22}{\SH Ihubo LikaDavida Lokudumisa
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UDavida wahlabelela
{\ND{uThixo}} amazwi alelihubo lapho
{\ND{uThixo}} wamsindisa esandleni sezitha zakhe zonke lasesandleni sikaSawuli.

\VS{2}Wathi:

\par }{\Q “{\ND{UThixo}} ulidwala lami, inqaba yami lomsindisi wami;


\par }{\QB \VS{3}uNkulunkulu wami ulidwala lami, lapho engiphephela khona,

\par }{\QB isihlangu sami lophondo lokusindiswa kwami.

\par }{\Q Uyinqaba yami, isiphephelo sami lomsindisi wami

\par }{\QB uyangisindisa ebantwini abalodlakela.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}Ngakhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}} ofanele ukudunyiswa,

\par }{\QB njalo ngikhululwe ezitheni zami.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Amagagasi okufa angikhulela;

\par }{\QB lezikhukhula zokubhubhisa zangikhulela.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Izibopho zengcwaba zangithandela;

\par }{\QB imijibila yokufa yangijamela.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{7}Ekukhathazekeni kwami ngakhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}};

\par }{\QB ngakhala kuNkulunkulu wami.

\par }{\Q Esethempelini lakhe walizwa ilizwi lami;

\par }{\QB ukukhala kwami kwafika ezindlebeni zakhe.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}Umhlaba wagedezela wazamazama,

\par }{\QB izisekelo zamazulu zanyikinyeka;

\par }{\QB zagedezela ngoba wayethukuthele.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Intuthu yalanquka emakhaleni akhe;

\par }{\QB umlilo ohangulayo waphuma emlonyeni wakhe,

\par }{\QB amalahle avuthayo alavuka ephuma kuwo.


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Waqhekeza amazulu wehlela phansi;

\par }{\QB amayezi amnyama ayengaphansi kwezinyawo zakhe.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Wagada amakherubhi waphapha;

\par }{\QB wantweza phezu kwamaphiko omoya.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Wenza umnyama isigubuzelo esimhanqileyo,

\par }{\QB amayezi ezulu amnyama asemkhathini.


\par }{\Q \VS{13}Phakathi kokukhazimula kobukhona bakhe,

\par }{\QB izikhatha zombane zalavuza khona.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}{\ND{UThixo}} wakhwaza esezulwini;

\par }{\QB ilizwi loPhezukonke lanqenqetha.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Waciba imitshoko wazihlakaza izitha,

\par }{\QB ngezikhatha zombane waziqothula.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Izigodi zolwandle zambulwa

\par }{\QB lezisekelo zomhlaba zavezwa obala

\par }{\Q ekukhuzeni
{\ND{kukaThixo}},

\par }{\QB ngomfutho wokuphefumula kwamakhala akhe.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{17}Welula isandla sakho usezulwini wangibamba

\par }{\QB wangihlenga enzikini yamanzi.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Wangihlenga esitheni sami esilamandla,

\par }{\QB ezitheni zami ezazingigabhela ngamandla.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}Zangijamela mhla ngisebunzimeni,

\par }{\QB kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} waba yinsika yami.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Wangikhupha wangibeka endaweni ebanzi;

\par }{\QB wangihlenga ngoba wayethokoza ngami.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}{\ND{UThixo}} ungenzele okulingene ukulunga kwami;

\par }{\QB wangivuza ngokufanele ukuhlanzeka kwezandla zami.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Ngoba ngizigcinile izindlela
{\ND{zikaThixo}};

\par }{\QB angenzanga okubi ngokufulathela uNkulunkulu wami.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Yonke imithetho yakhe iphambi kwami;

\par }{\QB angizifulathelanga izimiso zakhe.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Ngibe ngilokhu ngimsulwa phambi kwakhe

\par }{\QB njalo ngisixwayile isono.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}{\ND{UThixo}} ungivuze ngokufanele ukulunga kwami;

\par }{\QB ngokufanele ukuhlanzeka kwami phambi kwakhe.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{26}Kwabathembekileyo lawe uthembekile,

\par }{\QB kwabamsulwa lawe umsulwa,


\par }{\Q \VS{27}kwabahlanzekileyo uziveza uhlanzekile,

\par }{\QB kodwa kwabangaqondanga uziveza ukhaliphile.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Uyabasindisa abathobekileyo;

\par }{\QB kodwa amehlo akho akhangele abazigqajayo ukuba ubehlisele phansi.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Uyisibane sami, Oh
{\ND{Thixo}},

\par }{\QB {\ND{uThixo}} uguqula ubumnyama bami bube yikukhanya.


\par }{\Q \VS{30}Ngosizo lwakho ngingaphuma ngimelane lebutho lempi,

\par }{\QB ngoNkulunkulu wami ngingawukhwela umduli.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{31}Izindlela zikaNkulunkulu uqobo lwakhe ziphelele;

\par }{\QB ilizwi
{\ND{likaThixo}} kalilasici.

\par }{\QB Ulihawu labo bonke abaphephela kuye.


\par }{\Q \VS{32}Ngoba ngubani uNkulunkulu ngaphandle
{\ND{kukaThixo}}?

\par }{\QB Njalo ngubani oliDwala ngaphandle kukaNkulunkulu wethu na?


\par }{\Q \VS{33}NguNkulunkulu ongihlomisa amandla

\par }{\QB enze indlela yami iphelele.


\par }{\Q \VS{34}Wenza inyawo zami zibe njengezempala;

\par }{\QB ungenza ngime ezingqongweni.


\par }{\Q \VS{35}Ufundisa izandla zami ukulwa impi,

\par }{\QB izingalo zami zingaligobisa idandili lethusi.


\par }{\Q \VS{36}Uyanginika isihlangu sakho sokunqoba;

\par }{\QB uyazehlisela phansi ukuze ungenze ngibe mkhulu.


\par }{\Q \VS{37}Uqhelisa indlela enginyathela kuyo,

\par }{\QB ukuze inqagala zami zingapheci.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{38}Ngaxotshana lezitha zami ngaziqothula;

\par }{\QB kangibuyanga ngingakazibhubhisi zonke.


\par }{\Q \VS{39}Ngaziqothula okupheleleyo, njalo zazingeke zisavuka;

\par }{\QB zawela ngaphansi kwezinyawo zami.


\par }{\Q \VS{40}Wangihlomisa ngamandla okulwa impi;

\par }{\QB wenza abaxabana lami bakhothama ezinyaweni zami.


\par }{\Q \VS{41}Wenza izitha zami zafulathela zabaleka,

\par }{\QB njalo ngazibhubhisa izitha zami.


\par }{\Q \VS{42}Bakhala becela uncedo, kodwa wayengekho owayengabahlenga

\par }{\QB {\ND{kuThixo}}, kodwa kaphendulanga.


\par }{\Q \VS{43}Ngabatshaya bacholeka njengothuli lomhlabathi;

\par }{\QB ngabagxoba ngabanyathela njengodaka ezindleleni.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{44}Ungikhulule ekuhlaselweni yilababantu;

\par }{\QB ungigcine ngiyinhloko yezizwe.

\par }{\Q Abantu engangingabazi sebebuswa yimi,


\par }{\QB \VS{45}abezizweni bayatshotshobala phambi kwami;

\par }{\QB bathi bengizwa nje ngendaba, bangilalele.


\par }{\Q \VS{46}Bonke badelile;

\par }{\QB beza bethuthumela bevela ezinqabeni zabo.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{47}{\ND{UThixo}} uyaphila! Alidunyiswe iDwala lami!

\par }{\QB Kaphakanyiswe uNkulunkulu wami, iDwala, uMsindisi wami!


\par }{\Q \VS{48}UnguNkulunkulu ongiphindiselelayo,

\par }{\QB obeka izizwe ngaphansi kwami,


\par }{\QB \VS{49}ongikhululayo ezitheni zami.

\par }{\Q Wena wangiphakamisela ngaphezu kwezitha zami;

\par }{\QB wangihlenga ebantwini bodlakela.


\par }{\Q \VS{50}Ngakho ngizakudumisa,
{\ND{Oh Thixo}}, phakathi kwezizwe;

\par }{\QB ngizahlabelela indumiso yebizo lakho.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{51}Unika inkosi yakhe ukunqoba okukhulu;

\par }{\QB ubonakalisa umusa wakhe ongapheliyo kogcotshiweyo wakhe,

\par }{\QB kuDavida lenzalo yakhe kuze kube phakade.”




\par }\Chap{23}{\SH Amazwi KaDavida Okucina
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}La ngamazwi okucina kaDavida:

\par }{\Q “Umbono kaDavida indodana kaJese,

\par }{\QB umbono womuntu owaphakanyiswa ngoPhezukonke,

\par }{\Q umuntu owagcotshwa nguNkulunkulu kaJakhobe,

\par }{\QB umhlabeleli wezingoma ka-Israyeli:


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{2}Umoya
{\ND{kaThixo}} wakhuluma ngami,

\par }{\QB ilizwi lakhe lalisolimini lwami.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}UNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli wakhuluma,

\par }{\QB iDwala lika-Israyeli lathi kimi:

\par }{\Q ‘Lapho umuntu ebusa abantu ngokulunga,

\par }{\QB lapho ebusa ngokwesaba uNkulunkulu,


\par }{\Q \VS{4}unjengokukhanya kwekuseni ekuphumeni kwelanga

\par }{\QB ekuseni okungelamayezi,

\par }{\Q njengokukhanya emva kokuna kwezulu

\par }{\QB okumilisa utshani emhlabathini.’


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}Indlu yami kayifanelanga kuNkulunkulu na?

\par }{\QB Kanje kenzanga lami isivumelwano esingapheliyo

\par }{\QB esalungiswayo saqiniswa izigaba zonke na?

\par }{\Q Kambe kazukuphumelelisa ukusindiswa kwami

\par }{\QB angiphe konke engikufisayo na?


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Kodwa abantu ababi bonke bazaphoselwa eceleni njengameva,

\par }{\QB angabuthwayo ngesandla.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Loba ngubani othinta ameva

\par }{\QB usebenzisa insimbi loba uluthi lomkhonto;

\par }{\QB ayatshiswa ngomlilo khonapho akhona.”


\par }{\SH Amaqhawe KaDavida
\par }
{\PP \VS{8}La ngamabizo amaqhawe kaDavida:

\par }{\PP UJoshebi-Bhasishebethi umThakemoni wayeyinduna yabaThathu, waphakamisela abantu abangamakhulu ayisificaminwembili umkhonto wakhe, ababulalayo ekuhlaseleni kunye.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Yena elandelwa ngu-Eliyazari indodana kaDodo umʼAhohi. Njengomunye wamaqhawe amathathu, wayeloDavida lapho bechothoza amaFilistiya ayebuthanele impi ePhasi Damimi. Lapho-ke abantu bako-Israyeli bahlehlela emuva,

\VS{10}kodwa yena wajama wawacakazela phansi amaFilistiya isandla sakhe saze sadinwa sanamathela enkembeni. Ngalelolanga
{\ND{uThixo}} waletha ukunqoba okukhulu. Amabutho abuyela ku-Eleyazari ukuyahlubula abafileyo kuphela nje.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Phansi kwakhe kwakuloShama indodana ka-Ageye umHarari. Kwathi amaFilistiya eseqoqene endaweni eyayilezindumba ezinengi, amabutho ako-Israyeli awabalekela.

\VS{12}Kodwa uShama wajama phakathi kwensimu. Wayivikela wawacakazela phansi amaFilistiya,
{\ND{uThixo}} waletha ukunqoba okukhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ngesikhathi sokuvuna, abathathu ezinduneni ezingamatshumi amathathu baya kuDavida ebhalwini lwase-Adulami, lapho ibutho lamaFilistiya lalimise eSigodini saseRefayi.

\VS{14}Ngalesosikhathi uDavida wayesenqabeni, iviyo lamabutho amaFilistiya laliseBhethilehema.

\VS{15}UDavida womela amanzi wasesithi, “Oh, sengathi kungaba lomuntu ongangikhela amanzi okunatha emthonjeni oseduze lesango laseBhethilehema!”

\VS{16}Ngakho amaqhawe amathathu adabula phakathi kwamaviyo amaFilistiya, akha amanzi emthonjeni eduze lesango laseBhethilehema ahamba lawo kuDavida. Kodwa wala ukuwanatha, esikhundleni salokho wawathela phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}.

\VS{17}Wathi, “Akungenzeki,
{\ND{Oh Thixo}}, ukuba ngenze lokhu. Akusigazi labantu abahambe befake ukuphila kwabo engozini na?” UDavida kawanathanga.

\par }{\PP Lezi zaziyizenzo zobuqhawe zalawomabutho womathathu.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}U-Abhishayi umfowabo kaJowabi indodana kaZeruya wayeyinduna yabaThathu labo. Waphakamisela umkhonto wakhe phezu kwabangamakhulu amathathu, ababulalayo, ngakho waba lodumo njengabaThathu.

\VS{19}Kahlonitshwanga kakhulu kulabaThathu na? Waba ngumlawuli wabo, loba engazange abe phakathi kwabo.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}UBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada wayeliqhawe elilesibindi laseKhabhizeli, elenza izenzo zobuqhawe obukhulu. Wabulala amaqhawe amaMowabi amabili ayezintshantshu ekulweni. Wake wangena emgodini wabulala isilwane mhla kulongqwaqwane.

\VS{21}Njalo wabulala umGibhithe owayemkhulu kakhulu. Lanxa umGibhithe lowo wayephethe umkhonto, uBhenaya wamhlasela ngenduku. Wawuhluthuna umkhonto esandleni somGibhithe wambulala ngomkhonto wakhe.

\VS{22}Lezi zaziyizenzo zobuqhawe zikaBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada; laye futhi wayedume njengamaqhawe amathathu.

\VS{23}Wayehlonitshwa kakhulu ukwedlula bonke abangamaTshumi Amathathu, kodwa wayengabalwa kanye labaThathu. UDavida wambeka ukuba abe ngumphathi wabalindi bakhe.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID \VS{24}Phakathi kwabangamatshumi amathathu labo kwakuyilaba:

\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI U-Asaheli umfowabo kaJowabi,

\par }{\LI u-Elihanani indodana kaDodo waseBhethilehema,


\par }{\LI \VS{25}uShama umHarodi,

\par }{\LI u-Elika umHarodi,


\par }{\LI \VS{26}uHelezi umPhalithi,

\par }{\LI u-Ira indodana ka-Ikheshi waseThekhowa,


\par }{\LI \VS{27}u-Abhiyezeri wase-Anathothi,

\par }{\LI uSibhekhayi umHushathi,


\par }{\LI \VS{28}uZalimoni umʼAhohi,

\par }{\LI uMaharayi umNethofa,


\par }{\LI \VS{29}uHeledi indodana kaBhana umNethofa,

\par }{\LI u-Ithayi indodana kaRibhayi owaseGibhiya koBhenjamini,


\par }{\LI \VS{30}uBhenaya umPhirathoni,

\par }{\LI uHidayi wasezindongeni zaseGashi,


\par }{\LI \VS{31}u-Abhi-Alibhoni umʼAribhathi,

\par }{\LI u-Azimavethi umBharihumi,


\par }{\LI \VS{32}u-Eliyaba umShalibhoni,

\par }{\LI amadodana kaJasheni,

\par }{\LI uJonathani

\VS{33}indodana kaShama

\par }{\LI umHarari, u-Ahiyamu indodana kaSharari umHarari,


\par }{\LI \VS{34}u-Elifelethi indodana ka-Ahasibhayi umʼMahakhathi,

\par }{\LI u-Eliyami indodana ka-Ahithofeli umGiloni,


\par }{\LI \VS{35}uHeziro umKhameli,

\par }{\LI uPharayi umʼAribhi,


\par }{\LI \VS{36}u-Igali indodana kaNathani waseZobha,

\par }{\LI indodana kaHagiri,


\par }{\LI \VS{37}uZelekhi umʼAmoni,

\par }{\LI uNaharayi umBherothi, owayethwala izikhali zikaJowabi, indodana kaZeruya,


\par }{\LI \VS{38}u-Ira umʼIthira,

\par }{\LI uGarebhi umʼIthiri


\par }{\LI \VS{39}kanye lo-Uriya umHithi.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID Bebonke babengamatshumi amathathu lesikhombisa.




\par }\Chap{24}{\SH UDavida Ubala Abantu Bokulwa
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ulaka
{\ND{lukaThixo}} lwabuya lwavutha phezu kuka-Israyeli, wenza uDavida wamelana labo, esithi, “Hambani liyebala abantu bako-Israyeli labakoJuda.”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Ngakho inkosi yathi kuJowabi labalawuli bebutho ababelaye, “Hambani ezizweni zonke zako-Israyeli kusukela koDani kusiya eBherishebha libhale abantu bokulwa, ukuze ngazi ukuthi bangaki.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kodwa uJowabi waphendula inkosi wathi, “Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho angandisa amabutho ngokuphindwe okwedlula ikhulu, njalo sengathi lamehlo kamhlekazi wami inkosi angakubona lokho. Kodwa-ke umhlekazi wami inkosi ifunelani ukwenza into enje?”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Kodwa ilizwi lenkosi lamenqabela uJowabi kanye labalawuli bebutho; ngakho basuka phambi kwenkosi ukuba bayebhala abantu bokulwa ko-Israyeli.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Sebechaphe iJodani bamisa eduze le-Aroweri, eningizimu komuzi edongeni, basebedabula phakathi kwakoGadi besedlulela eJazeri.

\VS{6}Baya eGiliyadi lasesabelweni saseThathimi Hodishi, laphambili eDani Jawani lasezindaweni eziseduze kusiya eSidoni.

\VS{7}Emva kwalokho baqonda enqabeni yaseThire lakuyo yonke imizi yamaHivi lamaKhenani. Ekucineni, baya eBherishebha eNegebi yakoJuda.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Sebelihambe lonke ilizwe, babuyela eJerusalema emva kwezinyanga eziyisificamunwemunye lezinsuku ezingamatshumi amabili.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UJowabi wafika wabikela inkosi inani lamadoda ayengalwa empini: Ko-Israyeli kwakulamadoda azinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amahlanu aqinileyo ayelakho ukuthi angayiphatha inkemba, koJuda.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Emva kokubala abantu bokulwa uDavida wakhathazeka enhliziyweni yakhe, wasesithi
{\ND{kuThixo}}, “Ngonile kakhulu ngalokhu engikwenzileyo. Khathesi-ke, awu
{\ND{Thixo}}, ngiyakuncenga, susa icala lenceku yakho. Ngenze ubuwula obukhulu kakhulu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}UDavida engakavuki ngokusa okwalandelayo, ilizwi
{\ND{likaThixo}} laselifikile kuGadi umphrofethi, umboni kaDavida, lisithi:

\VS{12}“Hamba uyetshela uDavida ukuthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo
{\ND{nguThixo}}: Ngikunika ukuthi ukhethe phakathi kokuthathu. Khetha okukodwa kwakho ukuba ngikwenze kuwe.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ngakho uGadi waya kuDavida wathi kuye, “Kungehliselwa kuwe indlala yeminyaka emithathu elizweni lakho na? Loba izinyanga ezintathu ubalekela izitha zakho zixotshana lawe na? Kumbe insuku ezintathu zesifo elizweni lakho na? Khathesi-ke cabanga ngakho wenze isinqumo ukuthi ngizamphendula njani lowo ongithumileyo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}UDavida wathi kuGadi, “Ngiphakathi kokukhathazeka okukhulu. Kasiweleni ezandleni
{\ND{zikaThixo}}, ngoba isihawu sakhe sikhulu, kodwa ungangiyekeli ngiwela ezandleni zabantu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} wathumela isifo ko-Israyeli kusukela ekuseni kwamhlalokho kwaze kwafika isikhathi esasimisiwe, kwafa abantu abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi ayisikhombisa kusukela koDani kusiya eBherishebha.

\VS{16}Kwathi ingilosi isiyelule isandla sayo ukuba itshabalalise iJerusalema,
{\ND{uThixo}} wayeselusizi ngenxa yomonakalo ngakho wathi engilosini eyayiqothula abantu, “Kwanele! Susa isandla sakho.” Ngalesosikhathi ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yayisisesizeni sika-Arawuna umJebusi.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Kwathi uDavida ebona ingilosi eyayibulala abantu, wathi
{\ND{kuThixo}}, “Mina yimi engenze isono ngenza okubi. Laba bayizimvu nje. Kuyini abakwenzileyo? Isandla sakho kasiwele phezu kwami labendlu yami.”


\par }{\SH UDavida Wakha I-Alithari
\par }
{\PP \VS{18}Ngalolosuku uGadi waya kuDavida wathi kuye, “Hamba uyekwakhela
{\ND{uThixo}} i-alithari esizeni sika-Arawuna umJebusi.”

\VS{19}Ngakho uDavida wahamba njengokulaya
{\ND{kukaThixo}} ngoGadi.

\VS{20}Kwathi u-Arawuna ekhangela njalo ebona inkosi labantu bayo besiza kuye, waphuma wakhothama phambi kwenkosi ubuso bakhe buthe mbo phansi.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}U-Arawuna wathi, “Umhlekazi wami inkosi ulandeni encekwini yakhe na?”

\par }{\PP UDavida waphendula wathi, “Ngilande ukuzathenga isiza sakho, ukuze ngakhele
{\ND{uThixo}} i-alithari, ukuze isifo esisebantwini simiswe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}U-Arawuna wasesithi kuDavida, “Umhlekazi wami inkosi kathathe loba kuyini okumthokozisayo anikele ngakho. Nanzi inkabi zomnikelo wokutshiswa, nansi lemibhulo yokubhula kanye lamajogwe enkabi ukuba kube zinkuni.

\VS{23}Awu nkosi, u-Arawuna unika inkosi konke lokhu.” U-Arawuna wabuya wathi kuye, “Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho angakwamukela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Kodwa inkosi yathi ku-Arawuna, “Hayi, ngiyagcizelela ekuthini ngikuthenge kuwe. Kangiyikunikela
{\ND{kuThixo}} uNkulunkulu wami umnikelo wokutshiswa ongangibizelanga lutho.”

\par }{\PP Ngakho uDavida wasithenga isiza kanye lenkabi ngamashekeli esiliva angamatshumi amahlanu.

\VS{25}UDavida wakhela
{\ND{uThixo}} i-alithari kuleyondawo wanikela iminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yobudlelwano. Lapho-ke
{\ND{uThixo}} waphendula ukukhulekelwa kwelizwe, isifo saphela ko-Israyeli.

\par }