ABAHLULELI

1 Kwathi uJoshuwa esefile+ abako-Israyeli* babuza uJehova+ bathi: “Ngubani phakathi kwethu ozaqala ukuyahlasela amaKhenani?” 2 UJehova waphendula wathi: “Kuzaqala uJuda.+ Nginikela* ilizwe leli ezandleni zakhe.” 3 AbakoJuda basebesithi kubafowabo besizwana sakoSimiyoni: “Sicela lihambe lathi endaweni esiyiphiweyo+ liyesincedisa ukulwa lamaKhenani. Lathi sizahamba lani nxa selisiya endaweni eliyiphiweyo.” Ngakho abakoSimiyoni bahamba labo.

4 AbakoJuda basuka-ke bayahlasela njalo uJehova wanikela amaKhenani lamaPherizi ezandleni zabo,+ banqoba amadoda angu-10 000 eBhezekhi. 5 Bathola u-Adoni-bhezekhi eBhezekhi, balwa laye bawanqoba amaKhenani+ lamaPherizi.+ 6 U-Adoni-bhezekhi wabaleka kodwa baxotshana laye baze bambamba, basebemquma izithupha lamazwane amakhulu. 7 U-Adoni-bhezekhi wathi: “Kulamakhosi angu-70 engawaquma izithupha lamazwane amakhulu njalo adobha ukudla okuwa etafuleni yami. UNkulunkulu ungenze lokho ebengikwenza kwabanye.” Ngemva kwalokho baya laye eJerusalema+ lapho afela khona.

8 Amadoda akoJuda alwa leJerusalema+ ayithumba abulala abantu ngenkemba, athungela ledolobho ngomlilo. 9 Asuka lapho ayahlasela amaKhenani ayehlala eNegebhi laseShefela kanye laselizweni lezintaba.+ 10 AbakoJuda bahamba bayahlasela amaKhenani ayehlala eHebroni (iHebroni kuqala yayibizwa ngokuthi yiKhiriyathi-abha), njalo banqoba uSheshayi lo-Ahimani loThalimayi.+

11 Basuka lapho bayahlasela abantu beDebhiri.+ (Kuqala iDebhiri yayibizwa ngokuthi yiKhiriyathi-sefa.)+ 12 UKhalebhi+ wathi: “Indoda ezahlasela iKhiriyathi-sefa iyinqobe ngizayinika indodakazi yami u-Akhisa ibe ngumkayo.”+ 13 U-Othiniyeli+ indodana kaKhenazi+ umnawakhe kaKhalebhi wayihlasela wayinqoba. Ngakho uKhalebhi wamnika indodakazi yakhe u-Akhisa yaba ngumkakhe. 14 U-Akhisa wathi esehamba wancenga umkakhe ukuthi acele insimu kuyise uKhalebhi. U-Akhisa wehla kubabhemi wakhe,* uKhalebhi wasembuza wathi: “Ufunani?” 15 Wasephendula wathi: “Njengoba ungiphe indawo eningizimu* ngicela ungibusise ungiphe leGulothi-mayimi.”* Ngakho uKhalebhi wamupha iGulothi ephezulu leGulothi ephansi.

16 Izizukulwane zendoda engumKheni+ uyisezala kaMosi+ zasuka edolobheni elilezihlahla zelala+ zilabantu bakoJuda zaya enkangala yakoJuda eseningizimu kwe-Aradi,+ zafika zahlala labantu bakuleyondawo.+ 17 Kodwa abakoJuda bahamba labafowabo besizwana sakoSimiyoni bayahlasela amaKhenani ayehlala eZefathi, balitshabalalisa idolobho lelo.+ Yikho balibiza ngokuthi yiHoma.*+ 18 UJuda wathumba iGaza+ le-Ashikheloni+ le-Ekhroni+ kanye lazo zonke izindawo ezisemangweni walawo madolobho. 19 UJehova wayebasekela abantu bakoJuda yikho benelisa ukulithatha ilizwe lezintaba. Kodwa abazange benelise ukuxotsha abantu ababehlala emagcekeni akuleyondawo ngoba babelezinqola zensimbi.*+ 20 Banika uKhalebhi iHebroni njengoba nje uMosi wayethembisile,+ uKhalebhi wasedudula amadodana amathathu ka-Anakhi.+

21 Kodwa abakoBhenjamini kabazange bawaxotshe amaJebusi ayehlala eJerusalema. Yikho elokhu ehlala labakoBhenjamini eJerusalema kuze kube lamuhla.+

22 Kusenjalo abendlu kaJosefa+ basuka bayahlasela iBhetheli njalo uJehova wayelabo.+ 23 Babethumele izinhloli ukuthi ziyehlola iBhetheli. (Kuqala iBhetheli yayibizwa ngokuthi yiLuzi.)+ 24 Izinhloli lezo zabona indoda iphuma edolobheni zasezisithi kuyo: “Sicela usitshengise ukuthi singangena njani edolobheni leli, ungenza njalo asisoze sikubulale.”* 25 Indoda leyo yasibatshengisa ukuthi bangangena njani edolobheni, basebelihlasela babulala abantu ababelapho ngenkemba kodwa yona bayiyekela lemuli yayo yonke.+ 26 Indoda le yasuka yaya elizweni lamaHithi yafika yakha idolobho yalibiza ngokuthi yiLuzi. Lalamuhla idolobho lelo libizwa ngalelobizo.

27 AbakoManase kabazange bayithumbe iBhethi-sheyani lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, leThanakhi+ lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, leDori lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, le-Ibhiliyami lamadolobho aseduze kwayo kanye leMegido lamadolobho aseduze kwayo.+ AmaKhenani kawazange avume ukusuka endaweni lezo. 28 Abako-Israyeli bathi sebelamandla bacindezela amaKhenani bawenza izisebenzi zabo+ futhi kabazange bawaxotshe wonke elizweni.+

29 Abako-Efrayimi labo kabazange bawaxotshe amaKhenani ayehlala eGezeri. Yikho amaKhenani aqhubeka ehlala labo eGezeri.+

30 AbakoZebhuloni kabazange bawaxotshe amaKhenani ayehlala eKhithironi laseNahaloli.+ Aqhubeka ehlala labo futhi bawacindezela aba yizisebenzi zabo.+

31 Abako-Asheri kabazange babaxotshe abantu ababehlala e-Akho, leSidoni,+ le-Ahilabi, le-Akhizibi+, leHelibha, le-Afikhi+ laseRehobhi.+ 32 Ngakho abako-Asheri baqhubeka behlala phakathi kwamaKhenani ngenxa yokuthi kabazange bawasuse elizweni.

33 AbakoNafithali kabazange bawaxotshe amaKhenani ayehlala eBhethi-shemeshi laseBhethi-anathi+ kodwa baqhubeka behlala lawo.+ Bacindezela abantu baseBhethi-shemeshi labaseBhethi-anathi babenza izisebenzi zabo.

34 Ama-Amori kawazange avumele abakoDani ukuthi basuke elizweni lezintaba bazohlala endaweni engamagceke.+ 35 Ngakho ama-Amori aqhubeka ehlala entabeni iHeresi lase-Ayijaloni+ kanye laseShalabhimi.+ Kodwa izizukulwane zikaJosefa zathi sezilamandla kakhulu zawacindezela zawenza izisebenzi. 36 Ilizwe lama-Amori lalisukela emqansweni we-Akhirabhimi+ laseSela kusiya phambili.

2 Ingilosi kaJehova+ yasuka eGiligali+ yaya eBhokhimi, yafika yathi kwabako-Israyeli: “Ngalikhipha eGibhithe ngaliletha elizweni engafunga ukuthi ngizalipha okhokho benu.+ Ngaphinda ngathi, ‘Kangisoze ngisephule isivumelwano engasenza lani.+ 2 Ngakho lani lingenzi isivumelwano labantu abahlala elizweni leli+ futhi kumele lidilize ama-alithare abo.’+ Kodwa lina kalingilalelanga.+ Kungani lingangilalelanga? 3 Yikho lami ngathi, ‘Kangisoze ngibasuse phakathi kwenu.+ Bazakuba ngumjibila kini+ njalo onkulunkulu babo bazalidukisa.’”+

4 Abantu bako-Israyeli bakhala kakhulu besizwa amazwi ayekhulunywa yingilosi kaJehova. 5 Yikho babiza indawo leyo ngokuthi yiBhokhimi* basebenikela imihlatshelo kuJehova.

6 UJoshuwa wasesithi abantu babuyele emizini yabo. Ngakho wonke ama-Israyeli ahamba ezindaweni zawo ukuze ayethatha ilizwe ayeliphiwe.+ 7 Abantu baqhubeka bekhonza uJehova ngesikhathi uJoshuwa esaphila langesikhathi kuseselabadala abasala bephila uJoshuwa esefile. Abadala laba babezibonile zonke izimanga uJehova ayezenzele ama-Israyeli.+ 8 UJoshuwa indodana kaNuni, inceku kaJehova, wafa eseleminyaka engu-110.+ 9 Ngakho bamngcwaba endaweni eyayililifa lakhe eThiminathi-heresi+ ezintabeni zako-Efrayimi, enyakatho kwentaba iGahashi.+ 10 Sonke isizukulwane leso saphela kwasekulandela esinye isizukulwane esasingamazi uJehova kanye lalokho ayekwenzele abako-Israyeli.

11 Yikho abako-Israyeli benza okubi phambi kukaJehova,* bakhonza oBhali.+ 12 Bamfulathela uJehova uNkulunkulu waboyise owabakhipha elizweni laseGibhithe,+ balandela onkulunkulu bezizwe ezazingomakhelwane+ njalo babakhothamela. Lokhu kwamthukuthelisa uJehova.+ 13 Bamtshiya uJehova bakhonza uBhali lezithombe zika-Ashithorethi.+ 14 UJehova wathi ekubona lokhu wabathukuthelela kakhulu abako-Israyeli, wasebanikela ezitheni zabo ezabahlaselayo, zatshaya zabhuqa impahla yabo.+ Wabanikela ezitheni zabo ezazibahanqile+ futhi babengasenelisi ukumelana lazo.+ 15 UJehova wamelana labo kukho konke ababekwenza njalo wabehlisela inhlupho.+ Phela uJehova wayevele etshilo futhi uJehova wayefungile ukuthi lokho yikho okwakuzakwenzakala.+ Ngakho bathwala nzima kakhulu.+ 16 Kodwa uJehova wabeka abahluleli ukuze babakhulule ezandleni zezitha zabo ezazibahlasela.+

17 Lanxa kunjalo kabazange babalalele abahluleli laba kodwa bakhonza abanye* onkulunkulu futhi babakhothamela. Baphambuka masinyane endleleni eyayilandelwa ngokhokho babo ababelalela imilayo kaJehova,+ behluleka ukwenza njengabo. 18 UJehova wayesithi angabeka umahluleli+ amsekele umahluleli lowo, njalo uJehova wayebakhulula ezitheni zabo ngesikhathi umahluleli esaphila, ngoba uJehova wayebazwela*+ nxa bebubula ngenxa yokucindezelwa+ lokuhlutshwa yizitha zabo.

19 Kodwa kwakusithi nxa umahluleli angafa baphinde baqalise ukwenza okubi ukwedlula lokho okwakusenziwa ngoyise. Babelandela abanye onkulunkulu, bebakhonza futhi bebakhothamela.+ Kabazange batshiye izenzo zabo lobuqholo babo. 20 Ekucineni uJehova wabathukuthelela kakhulu abako-Israyeli+ wathi: “Ngenxa yokuthi isizwe lesi sephule isivumelwano+ engasenza labokhokho baso njalo kasingilalelanga,+ 21 lami kangisoze ngixotshe loba yisiphi isizwe phakathi kwalezo ezatshiywa nguJoshuwa ngesikhathi esifa,+ 22 ukuze ngibahlole abako-Israyeli, ngibone ukuthi bazazilandela yini izindlela zikaJehova+ njengaboyise.” 23 Ngakho uJehova wazivumela izizwe lezi ukuthi zisale. Kazange ahle azixotshe njalo kazange azinikele esandleni sikaJoshuwa.

3 Kulezizwe uJehova azivumela ukuthi zisale elizweni ukuze zilinge abako-Israyeli ababengazibonanga izimpi zaseKhenani.+ 2 (Lokhu kwakuzakwenza ukuthi izizukulwane zama-Israyeli ezazingayibonanga impi ziyibonele khonapho.) 3 Kwasala amakhosi amahlanu amaFilisti,+ lawo wonke amaKhenani, lamaSidoni,+ lamaHivi+ ayehlala entabeni iLebhanoni,+ kusukela entabeni iBhali-hemoni kuze kuyefika eLebho-hamathi.*+ 4 Izizwe lezi zaba yisilingo kwabako-Israyeli ukuze kukhanye ukuthi babezayilalela yini imilayo kaJehova ayinika oyise esebenzisa uMosi.+ 5 Yikho abako-Israyeli bahlala phakathi kwamaKhenani,+ lamaHithi, lama-Amori, lamaPherizi, lamaHivi kanye lamaJebusi. 6 Bathatha amadodakazi ezizwe lezi aba ngomkabo njalo bendisela amadodakazi abo kuzo, baqalisa ukukhonza onkulunkulu bazo.+

7 Abako-Israyeli benza okubi phambi kukaJehova,* bamkhohlwa uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo futhi bakhonza oBhali+ lezithombe zika-Ashera.*+ 8 UJehova wabathukuthelela kakhulu ngenxa yalokhu, wasebanikela* esandleni sikaKhushani-rishathayimi inkosi yeMesophothamiya.* Abako-Israyeli baba ngaphansi kombuso kaKhushani-rishathayimi okweminyaka engu-8. 9 Ngakho bakhala kuJehova becela ukuthi abancede,+ uJehova wasebanika umkhululi,+ u-Othiniyeli+ indodana kaKhenazi. UKhenazi wayengumnawakhe kaKhalebhi. 10 Umoya kaJehova wehlela ku-Othiniyeli+ futhi waba ngumahluleli wabako-Israyeli. Wasuka wayakulwa loKhushani-rishathayimi inkosi yeMesophothamiya* futhi uJehova wamsiza ukuthi anqobe. 11 Ngemva kwalokho kwaba lokuthula elizweni okweminyaka engu-40. U-Othiniyeli indodana kaKhenazi wasesifa.

12 Abako-Israyeli baphinda benza okubi phambi kukaJehova.*+ UJehova wasevumela ukuthi u-Egiloni inkosi yakoMowabi+ abe lamandla phezu kwabantu bako-Israyeli ngoba basebesenza okubi phambi kukaJehova.* 13 Kanti njalo wenza abako-Israyeli bahlaselwa ngama-Amoni+ lama-Amaleki.+ Alwa labo athumba idolobho elilezihlahla zelala.+ 14 Abako-Israyeli babuswa ngu-Egiloni inkosi yakoMowabi okweminyaka engu-18.+ 15 Bakhala kuJehova becela ukuthi abasize,+ uJehova wasethuma u-Ehudi ukuthi abakhulule.+ U-Ehudi+ wayeyindodana kaGera umBhenjamini+ futhi wayesebenzisa isandla senxele.+ Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi abako-Israyeli bathuma u-Ehudi ukuthi ahambise isipho* ku-Egiloni inkosi yakoMowabi. 16 U-Ehudi wazenzela inkemba esika inxa zombili futhi ubude bayo babuyingalo eyodwa.* Wayibophela emlenzeni wakhe wesokudla ngaphansi kwesembatho sakhe, 17 wasesiyanika u-Egiloni inkosi yakoMowabi isipho. U-Egiloni wayeyindoda eqatha kakhulu.

18 U-Ehudi wathi eseyiphile inkosi isipho sayo wasuka labantu ababemthwalele isipho leso. 19 Kodwa bathi befika eGiligali+ lapho okulezithombe ezibaziweyo khona,* u-Ehudi wabuyela enkosini wafika wathi: “Nkosi, kulendaba eyimfihlo engifisa ukukutshela yona.” Inkosi yasisithi: “Mana kancane!” Izinceku zathi zisizwa inkosi isitsho njalo zahle zasuka, 20 u-Ehudi wasesiya enkosini. Yayihlezi endlini yayo esephahleni ebetha umoya. U-Ehudi wafika wathi: “Ngilelizwi lakho elivela kuNkulunkulu.” Ngakho inkosi yasukuma esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi. 21 U-Ehudi waseselula isandla sakhe senxele wahwatsha inkemba eyayisemlenzeni wakhe wesokudla, wayithela esiswini senkosi. 22 Inkemba yangena yatshona yonke lesilanda* sayo phakathi kwamafutha, kwasekuphuma umswane. Kazange ayihwatshe esiswini senkosi. 23 Ngemva kwalokhu u-Ehudi waphuma, wavala iminyango yendlu esephahleni wakhiya. 24 Wathi esehambile izinceku zenkosi zaphenduka zathola iminyango yendlu esephahleni ikhiyiwe. Yikho zathi: “Engxenye usesambuzini* esisendlini engaphakathi.” 25 Zalinda zaze zakhathazeka. Zathi zibona inkosi ilokhu ingavuli zathatha ikhiye zavula iminyango, zayithola ithe daca phansi ifile!

26 U-Ehudi wabaleka besalibele, wadlula endaweni elezithombe ezibaziweyo*+ wahamba waze wayafika eSeyira. 27 Wathi efika lapho watshaya uphondo+ ezintabeni zako-Efrayimi,+ abako-Israyeli behla ezintabeni bamlandela. 28 Wasesithi kubo: “Ngilandelani ngoba uJehova usenikele izitha zenu ezingamaMowabi ezandleni zenu.” Yikho bamlandela basebevimba amaMowabi emazibukweni* aseJodani ukuze angadluli. Kabavumelanga muntu ukuthi achaphe. 29 Ngalesosikhathi babulala amadoda akoMowabi angaba ngu-10 000.+ Wonke amadoda la ayelamandla futhi engamaqhawe kodwa akuphunyukanga leyodwa.+ 30 AbakoMowabi banqotshwa ngama-Israyeli njalo kwaba lokuthula elizweni okweminyaka engu-80.+

31 Ngemva kuka-Ehudi kwaba loShamigari+ indodana ka-Anathi. Wabulala amaFilisti angu-600+ esebenzisa ugodo olucijileyo lokuthinta inkomo.+ Laye wabakhulula abantu bako-Israyeli.

4 Ngemva kokufa kuka-Ehudi abako-Israyeli baqalisa futhi ukwenza okubi phambi kukaJehova.*+ 2 Ngakho uJehova wabanikela* esandleni sikaJabhini inkosi yaseKhenani+ eyayibusa eHazori. Induna yebutho likaJabhini kwakunguSisera owayehlala eHaroshethi+ yabezizweni.* 3 UJabhini wayelezinqola zensimbi ezingu-900.*+ Wabacindezela kabuhlungu abako-Israyeli+ okweminyaka engu-20, yikho bakhala kuJehova becela usizo.+

4 Ngalesosikhathi abako-Israyeli babesahlulelwa ngumphrofethikazi+ uDibhora, umkaLaphidothi. 5 Wayejayele ukuhlala ngaphansi kwesihlahla sakhe selala esasiphakathi kweRama+ leBhetheli+ ezintabeni zako-Efrayimi. Abako-Israyeli babesiya kuye ukuze abahlulele. 6 Wabiza uBharakhi+ indodana ka-Abhinowami owayeseKhedeshi-nafithali+ wathi kuye: “UJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi kuwe, ‘Thatha amadoda angu-10 000 koNafithali lakoZebhuloni uhambe lawo entabeni iThabhori. 7 Ngizaletha uSisera induna yamabutho kaJabhini kanye lezinqola zakhe zempi lamabutho akhe emfuleni uKhishoni,*+ ngimnikele esandleni sakho.’”+

8 UBharakhi waphendula wathi: “Ngizahamba nxa lawe uhamba, kodwa nxa ungayi lami angisoze ngiye.” 9 UDibhora wasesithi: “Ngizahamba lawe. Kodwa kawusoze uthole udumo empini le ngoba uJehova uzanikela uSisera+ esandleni sowesifazana.” UDibhora wasesuka wahamba loBharakhi eKhedeshi.+ 10 UBharakhi wabiza abakoZebhuloni labakoNafithali+ eKhedeshi futhi amadoda angu-10 000 amlandela. UDibhora laye wayekhona.

11 Ngalesosikhathi uHebheri umKheni wayetshiye amanye amaKheni,+ izizukulwane zikaHobhabhi uyisezala kaMosi,+ wasesiyamisa itende lakhe eduze lesihlahla esikhulu eZananimi eKhedeshi.

12 USisera wabikelwa ukuthi uBharakhi indodana ka-Abhinowami wayesentabeni iThabhori.+ 13 Wathi ekuzwa lokhu wahle waqoqela ndawonye zonke izinqola zakhe zempi* ezingu-900 kanye lalo lonke ibutho lakhe ukuze basuke eHaroshethi yabezizweni baye emfuleni uKhishoni.*+ 14 UDibhora wathi kuBharakhi: “Hamba, ngoba lamuhla uJehova uzanikela uSisera esandleni sakho. UJehova uzahamba phambi kwakho.” UBharakhi wasesehla entabeni iThabhori elandelwa ngamadoda angu-10 000. 15 Wahlasela uSisera lamabutho akhe ngenkemba njalo uJehova wabangela ukuthi uSisera lamabutho akhe baphithane amakhanda,+ izinqola zabo zaqala ukuphambana zisiya le lale. Ekucineni uSisera wehla enqoleni yakhe wacela ezinyaweni. 16 UBharakhi wazixotshanisa izinqola zempi kanye lamabutho waze wayafika eHaroshethi yabezizweni. Amabutho wonke kaSisera adliwa yinkemba, akula lelilodwa elasalayo.+

17 Kodwa uSisera wabaleka ngenyawo waze wayafika etendeni likaJayeli+ umkaHebheri+ umKheni, ngoba kwakulokuthula phakathi kukaJabhini+ inkosi yeHazori labendlu kaHebheri umKheni. 18 UJayeli wasephuma wahlangabeza uSisera wathi kuye: “Ngena nkosi yami. Ungesabi.” Ngakho uSisera wangena etendeni, uJayeli wasemembathisa ingubo. 19 USisera wathi kuye: “Ngomile, ngicela amanzi nginathe kancane.” UJayeli wasevula isigubhu sesikhumba esasilochago wamnika wanatha.+ Wathi eqeda lapho wamembathisa ingubo futhi. 20 USisera wathi kuye: “Mana emnyango wetende. Nxa kungafika umuntu akubuze ukuthi kulomuntu yini lapha, uthi kuye, ‘Hatshi!’”

21 USisera wathi esabubhuqa ubuthongo njengoba wayediniwe, uJayeli umkaHebheri wathatha isikhonkwane setende kanye lesando, wanyenya waya kuye wafika wabethela isikhonkwane enhlafunweni* yakhe, sayathutshela phansi emhlabathini, uSisera wahle wafa.+

22 UBharakhi wafika lapho edinga uSisera, uJayeli wasephuma wamhlangabeza wathi kuye: “Buya ngizokutshengisa umuntu omdingayo.” Wangena laye etendeni wathola uSisera ethe daca phansi efile, isikhonkwane singene satshona enhlafunweni* yakhe.

23 Ngalelolanga uNkulunkulu wabalwela abantu bako-Israyeli bamnqoba uJabhini inkosi yaseKhenani.+ 24 Abako-Israyeli baqhubeka besiba lamandla phezu kukaJabhini inkosi yaseKhenani+ baze bacina bembulele.+

5 Ngalolosuku uDibhora+ loBharakhi+ indodana ka-Abhinowami bahlabela ingoma bathi:+

 2 “Kadunyiswe uJehova!

 3 Lalelani makhosi, lingiphe indlebe lani babusi.

Ngizamhlabelela uJehova.

Ngizahlabela ngimdumise uJehova+ uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.+

Wawungeke ubone ihawu loba umkhonto

Emadodeni ako-Israyeli angu-40 000.

Kadunyiswe uJehova!

Abantu bakaJehova basebesiya emagedini edolobho.

12 Vuka, vuka we Dibhora!+

Vuka, vuka uhlabele ingoma!+

Vuka lawe Bharakhi!+ Uqhube izithunjwa zakho, wena ndodana ka-Abhinowami!

Watshelwa ukuthi ehlele endaweni eligceke.+

AbakoRubheni babethandabuza kakhulu ezinhliziyweni zabo.

AbakoRubheni babethandabuza kakhulu ezihliziyweni zabo.

Lami nganyathenyathela abalamandla.

25 USisera wacela amanzi yena wamnika uchago.

Wamnika amasi*+ ngomganu wamakhosi.

27 USisera wawela enyaweni zikaJayeli, walala phansi ethe dandalazi.

Kungani ngilokhu ngingawezwa amasondo amabhiza akhe?’+

Ngemva kwalokho kwaba lokuthula elizweni okweminyaka engu-40.+

6 Abako-Israyeli baphinda benza okubi phambi kukaJehova.*+ Ngakho uJehova wabanikela esandleni samaMidiyani, asebabusa okweminyaka eyisikhombisa.+ 2 AmaMidiyani abacindezela abako-Israyeli.+ Ngenxa yalokho abako-Israyeli bazenzela indawo zokucatsha ezintabeni, embalwini lasezindaweni okunzima ukufika kuzo.+ 3 Abako-Israyeli babesithi bangalima, amaMidiyani lama-Amaleki+ labantu beMpumalanga+ babuye bezobahlasela. 4 Babefika babavimbezele batshabalalise konke okusemasimini kuze kuyefika eGaza, batshiye abako-Israyeli bengelakudla, kungela ngitsho imvu, inkomo loba ubabhemi.+ 5 Babebuya lezifuyo zabo lamatende, bebanengi angathi zintethe.+ Babesiza ngobunengi futhi belamakamela amanengi+ belande ukuzotshabalalisa ilizwe. 6 AmaMidiyani abathwalisa nzima abako-Israyeli, bahawula baze bakhala kuJehova becela ukuthi abasize.+

7 Abako-Israyeli bathi becela kuJehova ukuthi abakhulule kwabakoMidiyani,+ 8 uJehova wathuma umphrofethi wakhe kubo wafika wathi: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ‘Ngalikhipha eGibhithe ngalisusa elizweni lobugqili.+ 9 Ngalikhulula esandleni samaGibhithe lakubo bonke ababelicindezela, ngabaxotsha phambi kwenu ngasengilinika ilizwe labo.+ 10 Ngathi kini: “NginguJehova uNkulunkulu wenu.+ Akumelanga libesabe onkulunkulu bama-Amori elihlezi elizweni lawo.”+ Kodwa lina kalizange lingilalele.’”*+

11 Ngemva kwesikhathi kwafika ingilosi kaJehova+ yahlala ngaphansi kwesihlahla esikhulu esasise-Ofira, endaweni kaJowashi um-Abhiyezeri.+ Indodana yakhe uGidiyoni+ yayibhula ingqoloyi esikhamelweni sewayini* ukuze iyifihlele amaMidiyani. 12 Ingilosi kaJehova yabonakala kuGidiyoni yasisithi: “UJehova ulawe+ qhawe elilamandla.” 13 UGidiyoni waphendula wathi: “Uxolo nkosi yami. Nxa kuyikuthi uJehova ulathi, kungani konke lokhu kusehlele?+ Zingaphi izimanga zakhe esasizitshelwa ngobaba bethu+ besithi, ‘UJehova nguye owasikhipha eGibhithe?’+ Khathesi uJehova usesifulathele+ wasinikela esandleni samaMidiyani.” 14 UJehova wamkhangela wasesithi kuye: “Hamba ngamandla olawo uzabakhulula abako-Israyeli esandleni samaMidiyani.+ Yimi engikuthumayo.” 15 UGidiyoni wamphendula wathi: “Uxolo Jehova. Ngingamsindisa njani u-Israyeli? Phela usendo* lwakithi yilo oluncinyane koManase njalo mina ngimncane kulabo bonke endlini kababa.” 16 Kodwa uJehova wathi kuye: “Uzababhuqa abakoMidiyani kube angathi ulwa lomuntu oyedwa ngenxa yokuthi ngizabe ngilawe.”+

17 UGidiyoni wasesithi kuye: “Nxa kuyikuthi ngithole umusa kuwe, nginika isibonakaliso esitshengisa ukuthi nguwe sibili okhuluma lami. 18 Ngicela ungasuki lapha ngize ngiphenduke lesipho sami ngisibeke phambi kwakho.”+ Ingilosi yasisithi: “Ngizahlala lapha uze uphenduke.” 19 UGidiyoni wasuka wayahlaba izinyane lembuzi walipheka, wenza lesinkwa esingelamvubelo nge-efa* yefulawa.+ Wafaka inyama ebhasikitini, umhluzi wayo wawuthela embizeni, wasethwala izinto lezi wahamba lazo esihlahleni esikhulu wafika wazibeka phambi kwengilosi.

20 Ingilosi kaNkulunkulu weqiniso yasisithi: “Thatha inyama lesinkwa esingelamvubelo ukubeke edwaleni leliyana elikhulu, ubusuthela umhluzi.” UGidiyoni wenza njalo. 21 Ingilosi kaJehova yasiselula umqwayi wayo yathinta inyama lesinkwa esingelamvubelo, kwalavuka umlilo edwaleni watshisa inyama lesinkwa esingelamvubelo.+ Ngemva kwalokho ingilosi kaJehova yanyamalala. 22 UGidiyoni wananzelela ukuthi bekuyingilosi kaJehova.+

Wathi: “Maye Nkosi Enkulu Jehova! Ngibone ingilosi kaJehova ubuso ngobuso!”+ 23 Kodwa uJehova wathi kuye: “Ukuthula akube kuwe. Ungesabi,+ awusoze ufe.” 24 UGidiyoni wasesakhela uJehova i-alithare kuleyondawo. Libizwa ngokuthi yiJehova-shalomi*+ kuze kube lamuhla njalo lilokhu lise-Ofira yama-Abhiyezeri.

25 Ngalobobusuku uJehova wathi kuye: “Thatha inkunzi kayihlo, leyana eyesibili* eleminyaka eyisikhombisa, ubusudiliza i-alithare uyihlo alakhela uBhali, ugamule lesithombe sika-Ashera* esiseceleni kwalo.+ 26 Nxa ungaqeda ukwakhela uJehova i-alithare phezu kwenqaba le ngamatshe afolisiweyo, thatha inkunzi yesibili unikele ngayo emlilweni owubase ngesithombe sika-Ashera* osigamulileyo, ibe ngumnikelo wokutshiswa.” 27 Yikho-ke uGidiyoni wathatha amadoda alitshumi wasesenza lokho ayekutshelwe nguJehova. Wakwenza ebusuku hatshi emini ngoba wayesesaba abantu bendlu kayise lamadoda akulelodolobho.

28 Amadoda edolobho lelo athi evuka ekuseni abona i-alithare likaBhali selidiliziwe lesithombe sika-Ashera* esasiseceleni kwalo siganyuliwe. Inkunzi yesibili layo yayisinikelwe e-alithareni elalakhiwe khonapho. 29 Babuzana bathi: “Ngubani okwenzileyo lokhu?” Bathe sebedingisisile bathi: “NguGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi owenze lokhu.” 30 Ngakho amadoda akulelodolobho athi kuJowashi: “Khiphela phandle indodana yakho. Kumele ife ngoba idilize i-alithare likaBhali yagamula lesithombe sika-Ashera* ebesiseceleni kwalo.” 31 UJowashi+ wasesithi kulabo ababexabana laye: “Kumele limlwele yini uBhali? Kambe sengaze asindiswe yini? Loba ngubani omlwelayo uzabulawa lamuhla ekuseni.+ Nxa engunkulunkulu kazilwele+ njengoba kulomuntu odilize i-alithare lakhe.” 32 Ngalelolanga uJowashi wabiza uGidiyoni ngokuthi nguJerubhali,* esithi: “UBhali kazilwele njengoba kulomuntu odilize i-alithare lakhe.”

33 Wonke amabutho amaMidiyani+ lawama-Amaleki+ lawabantu beMpumalanga ahlangana+ achaphela* esigodini seJeziriyeli, amisa inkamba yawo khona. 34 Umoya kaJehova wasusehlela phezu kukaGidiyoni,*+ wasetshaya uphondo+ ama-Abhiyezeri+ abuya azomncedisa. 35 Wathumela izithunywa kulo lonke elakoManase babuya bazomsekela. Wasethumela ezinye ko-Asheri lakoZebhuloni lakoNafithali, labo babuya bazohlangana laye.

36 UGidiyoni wasesithi kuNkulunkulu weqiniso: “Nxa kuyikuthi uzasindisa abako-Israyeli usebenzisa mina njengoba uthembisile,+ 37 ngizabeka iwulu phansi esizeni.* Nxa iwulu leyo ingaba lamazolo kodwa umhlabathi wonke oseduze womile, ngizakwazi ukuthi uzabasindisa abako-Israyeli usebenzisa mina njengoba uthembisile.” 38 Lokhu yikho kanye okwenzakalayo. Wavuka ekuseni ngelanga elilandelayo wakhama iwulu, kwaphuma amanzi ayengagcwala umganu omkhulu. 39 Kodwa uGidiyoni wathi kuNkulunkulu weqiniso: “Ungangithukutheleli, ngilesinye isicelo. Ngicela ukusebenzisa iwulu le futhi ukuze ngibone ukuthi uzakuba lami yini. Ngicela wenze umhlabathi wonke ube lamazolo, kodwa iwulu kube yiyo yodwa ewomileyo.” 40 UNkulunkulu wenza njalo ngalobobusuku, iwulu yasala iwomile kodwa umhlabathi wonke ulamazolo.

7 UJerubhali obizwa langokuthi nguGidiyoni+ labo bonke abantu ayelabo bavuka ekuseni kakhulu bayamisa inkamba yabo duze komthombo waseHarodi. Inkamba yamaMidiyani yona yayisemagcekeni ngasenyakatho kwabo, eqaqeni lwaseMore. 2 UJehova wasesithi kuGidiyoni: “Angisoze nginikele amaMidiyani ezandleni zenu ngoba abantu olabo banengi kakhulu.+ Phela abako-Israyeli bangacina bezikhukhumeza besebesithi kimi, ‘Izandla zethu yizo ezisikhululileyo.’+ 3 Khathesi ngicela utshele abantu uthi: ‘Loba ngubani owesabayo kumbe olovalo kabuyele ngekhaya.’”+ Ngakho uGidiyoni wabalinga ngamazwi la. Amadoda angu-22 000 athi esizwa lokhu abuyela emakhaya kwasala angu-10 000.

4 Lanxa kunjalo uJehova wathi kuGidiyoni: “Abantu laba balokhu bebanengi kakhulu. Bahambise esifuleni ukuze ngibahlole. Nxa ngingathi, ‘Lo uzahamba lawe,’ nguye ozahamba laye, kodwa ngingathi, ‘Lo kasoze ahambe lawe,’ kasoze ahambe.” 5 Ngakho wahamba labo esifuleni.

UJehova wasesithi kuGidiyoni: “Khetha bonke abanatha amanzi ngesandla bemile, ubehlukanise lalabo abanatha beguqile.” 6 Amadoda ayenatha ngesandla emile ayengu-300. Wonke amanye ayenatha eguqile.

7 UJehova wathi kuGidiyoni: “Ngizalikhulula ngamadoda la angu-300 anathe amanzi emile njalo ngizanikela amaMidiyani esandleni sakho.+ Tshela bonke abanye babuyele emizini yabo.” 8 Ngakho bathi sebethethe ukudla lempondo kwamanye amabutho, uGidiyoni watshela amabutho lawo ukuthi abuyele emakhaya, kwasala amadoda angu-300. Inkamba yamaMidiyani yayingaphansi esigodini.+

9 Ngalobobusuku uJehova wathi kuye: “Sukuma uhlasele inkamba yabo ngoba sengibanikele ezandleni zakho.+ 10 Kodwa nxa usesaba ukubahlasela, yehla lenceku yakho uPhura liye enkambeni yabo, 11 ufike ulalele abakukhulumayo. Ngemva kwalokho uzakuba lesibindi sokuhlasela* inkamba yabo.” Ngakho uGidiyoni lenceku yakhe uPhura bahamba bayafika eduze lenkamba yamabutho esitha.

12 AmaMidiyani lama-Amaleki labantu bonke beMpumalanga+ babebuthene esigodini bebanengi angani zintethe. Amakamela abo lawo ayemanengi kakhulu+ angathi yitshebetshebe ekhunjini lolwandle. 13 UGidiyoni wafika enkambeni yabo omunye umuntu elandisela umngane wakhe iphupho esithi: “Nanti iphupho engiliphuphileyo. Bekulesinkwa sebhali esiyindingilizi ebesigiqika sisiza enkambeni yamaMidiyani. Sigiqike safika satshaya itende lawa,+ saligenqula lakhangela phezulu.” 14 Umngane wakhe wasesithi: “Le yinkemba kaGidiyoni+ indodana kaJowashi um-Israyeli. UNkulunkulu usenikele uMidiyani labo bonke abasenkambeni esandleni sakhe.”+

15 UGidiyoni wathi esizwa iphupho lelo lokuthi lalisitshoni,+ wakhothama wakhonza uNkulunkulu. Ngemva kwalokho wabuyela enkambeni yabako-Israyeli wafika wathi: “Sukumani ngoba uJehova usenikele inkamba yamaMidiyani ezandleni zenu.” 16 UGidiyoni wehlukanisa amadoda angu-300 aba ngamaqembu amathathu. Wanika indoda ngayinye uphondo+ lembiza yamanzi enkulu elesibane phakathi. 17 Wasesithi kuwo: “Lingikhangele lenze lokho engizakwenza. Nxa ngingafika eduze lenkamba yabo kumele lilandele lokho engizakwenza. 18 Nxa mina lalabo engilabo singatshaya impondo, lani kumele litshaye impondo zenu ligombolozele inkamba yabo, limemeze lithi, ‘Inkemba kaJehova lekaGidiyoni!’”

19 UGidiyoni lamadoda angu-100 ayelawo basondela enkambeni yamaMidiyani ekuqaliseni komlindo wesibili ebusuku,* kusanda kutshintshwa abalindi. Batshaya impondo+ baphahlazela phansi imbiza ezinkulu ababezithwele.+ 20 Amaqembu womathathu lawo atshaya impondo aphahlazela phansi imbiza ezinkulu. Babephethe izibane esandleni senxele futhi babetshaya impondo ababezibambe ngesandla sokudla, bememeza besithi: “Inkemba kaJehova lekaGidiyoni!” 21 Ngalesosikhathi wonke amadoda ayemile endaweni zawo ehanqe inkamba. Bonke ababesenkambeni yamaMidiyani babaleka behlaba umkhosi.+ 22 Amadoda angu-300 aqhubeka etshaya impondo njalo uJehova wenza wonke amabutho amaMidiyani ayesenkambeni avukelana ahlaselana ngenkemba.+ Abaleka ayafika eBhethi-shitha, adlula aya eZerera aze ayafika lasemingceleni yase-Abheli-mehola+ eduze kweThabhathi.

23 Kwabizwa amadoda ako-Israyeli ayevela koNafithali lako-Asheri lawo wonke awakoManase,+ axotshanisa amaMidiyani. 24 UGidiyoni wathuma izithunywa kuwo wonke umango wezintaba zako-Efrayimi esithi: “Yehlani liyehlasela amaMidiyani, lithumbe amazibuko* lize liyefika eBhethi-bhara leJodani.” Ngakho wonke amadoda ako-Efrayimi abuthana ndawonye asethumba amazibuko aze ayafika eBhethi-bhara leJodani. 25 Athumba leziphathamandla zakoMidiyani u-Orebhi loZebhi. U-Orebhi ambulalela edwaleni lika-Orebhi+ njalo uZebhi ambulalela esikhamelweni sewayini* sikaZebhi, aqhubeka exotshanisa amaMidiyani.+ Ngemva kwalokhu aletha ikhanda lika-Orebhi lelikaZebhi kuGidiyoni owayesemangweni weJodani.

8 Abako-Efrayimi basebesithi kuye: “Kungani usiphathe kanje? Kungani ungasibizanga usiyakulwa lamaMidiyani?”+ Baxabana laye bemsola kakhulu.+ 2 Kodwa yena wathi kubo: “Kambe lokho engikwenzileyo kungcono yini kulalokho elikwenzileyo lina? Amagilebisi asalayo nxa kuvunwa ko-Efrayimi+ kawangcono yini kulesivuno sonke sako-Abhiyezeri?+ 3 UNkulunkulu uzinikele ezandleni zenu iziphathamandla zakoMidiyani u-Orebhi loZebhi.+ Manje lokho engikwenzileyo mina kungalingana yini lalokho elikwenzileyo?” Wathi esetsho njalo ulaka lwabo lwehla.

4 UGidiyoni wafika kuJodani wachapha lamadoda angu-300 ayehamba lawo. Baqhubeka bexotshanisa isitha lanxa basebediniwe. 5 Wafika emadodeni eSukhothi wathi: “Ngicela liphe abantu engihamba labo isinkwa ngoba badiniwe futhi ngixotshana loZebha loZalimuna amakhosi amaMidiyani.” 6 Kodwa iziphathamandla zeSukhothi zathi: “Kanti usubabambile yini oZebha loZalimuna ukuthi sesingaze siphe amabutho akho ukudla?” 7 UGidiyoni wasesithi: “Nxa uJehova esenikele uZebha loZalimuna esandleni sami, ngizabuya ngizolibhaxabula ngengatsha zameva asenkangala+ ngenxa yamazwi enu eliwakhulumileyo.” 8 Wasuka lapho waya ePhenuweli wafika wacela lokho ayekucele eSukhothi, kodwa amadoda ePhenuweli amphendula njengaweSukhothi. 9 Ngakho wathi emadodeni ePhenuweli: “Nxa sengiphenduka nginqobile ngizawudiliza umphotshongo lo.”+

10 Ngalesosikhathi uZebha loZalimuna babeseKharikhori belamadoda angaba ngu-15 000. Amadoda la yiwo wodwa ayesele ebuthweni labaseMpumalanga+ ngoba kwakufe amadoda angu-120 000 ayesilwa ngenkemba. 11 UGidiyoni waqhubeka ehamba ngendlela yabantu abahlala ematendeni empumalanga kweNobha leJogibheha,+ watheleka ezihonqweni zesitha wasihlasela sisalibele. 12 Amakhosi amabili amaMidiyani, uZebha loZalimuna, abaleka kodwa uGidiyoni wawaxotshanisa waze wawabamba. Wonke amabutho ayesenkambeni ethuka aphithana amakhanda.

13 Ngemva kwalokho uGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi waphenduka evela empini ehamba ngendlela encinyane eqansa ize iyefika eHeresi. 14 Wathi esendleleni wabamba elinye ijaha leSukhothi walibuzisisa, laselimbhalela amabizo angu-77 eziphathamandla zeSukhothi lawabadala bakhona. 15 Esethole amabizo lawo waya emadodeni eSukhothi wafika wathi kuwo: “Nangu uZebha loZalimuna elalingichothoza ngabo lisithi, ‘Kanti usubabambile yini oZebha loZalimuna ukuthi sesingaze sinike amabutho akho adiniweyo ukudla?’”+ 16 Wasethatha abadala bedolobho lelo wababhaxabula ngengatsha zameva, wawafundisa isifundo amadoda eSukhothi.+ 17 Wadiliza lomphotshongo wePhenuweli+ wabulala amadoda akulelodolobho.

18 Wabuza uZebha loZalimuna wathi: “Babenjani abantu elababulala eThabhori?” Baphendula bathi: “Babenjengawe, bonke babengathi ngamadodana enkosi.” 19 UGidiyoni wasesithi: “Kwakungabafowethu abazalwa ngumama. Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo, ngabe alizange libabulale lami bengingasoze ngilibulale.” 20 Wasesithi kuJetheri izibulo lakhe: “Buya ubabulale.” Kodwa uJetheri wesaba ukuhwatsha inkemba yakhe ngoba wayesesengumfanyana nje. 21 Yikho uZebha loZalimuna bathi kuGidiyoni: “Buya wena usibulale ngoba indoda ikhanya ngamandla ayo.” Ngakho wababulala+ wasethatha imiceciso eyayigaxwe entanyeni zamakamela abo. Umceciso ngamunye wawubunjwe waba lucezu olunjengenyanga ethwasileyo.

22 Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi abako-Israyeli bathi kuGidiyoni: “Sicela usibuse wena lamadodana akho kanye labazukulu bakho ngoba usikhululile kwabakoMidiyani.” + 23 Kodwa uGidiyoni wathi: “Mina angisoze ngilibuse futhi lamadodana ami kawasoze alibuse. UJehova nguye ozalibusa.”+ 24 UGidiyoni waqhubeka wathi: “Kodwa kulento eyodwa engiyicela kini. Ngicela ngamunye wenu athathe empahleni yakhe ayithumbileyo icici legolide elifakwa emakhaleni angiphe lona.” (Abantu ababebanqobile babelamacici egolide ngoba babengama-Ishmayeli.)+ 25 Baphendula bathi: “Sizakupha lokho okucelayo.” Basebesendlala ilembu elikhulu, ngamunye wabo wathatha empahleni yakhe ayithumbileyo icici legolide elifakwa emakhaleni waliphosela khonapho. 26 Isisindo samacici egolide ayewacelile sasingamakhilogremu angu-19,* kungabalwa imiceciso ebunjwe yaba lucezu olunjengenyanga ethwasileyo, lemigaxo kanye lezembatho zamakhosi akoMidiyani ezenziwe ngewulu eyibubende* lemiceciso eyayigaxwe entanyeni zamakamela.+

27 UGidiyoni wenza i-efodi*+ ngezinto lezi wayibeka egcekeni edolobheni lakhe lase-Ofira.+ Bonke abako-Israyeli baqalisa ukuyikhonza*+ futhi yaba ngumjibila kuGidiyoni labendlu yakhe.+

28 AmaMidiyani+ anqotshwa ngabako-Israyeli njalo kawazange aphinde abahlasele.* Ngensuku zikaGidiyoni kwaba lokuthula elizweni okweminyaka engu-40.+

29 UJerubhali*+ indodana kaJowashi wabuyela emzini wakhe wayahlala khona.

30 UGidiyoni waba lamadodana angu-70 ngoba wayelamakhosikazi amanengi. 31 Omunye umkakhe owayehlala eShekhemu wamzalela umntwana futhi uGidiyoni wambiza ngokuthi ngu-Abhimeleki.+ 32 UGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi wafa eseluphele wangcwatshwa ethuneni likayise uJowashi, e-Ofira yama-Abhiyezeri.+

33 UGidiyoni wathi esanda kufa abako-Israyeli baqalisa futhi ukukhonza oBhali*+ njalo benza uBhali-bherithi waba ngunkulunkulu wabo.+ 34 Abako-Israyeli abazange bamkhumbule uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo+ owayebakhulule kuzo zonke izitha zabo ezazibahanqile,+ 35 futhi abazange babelothando oluqotho kwabendlu kaJerubhali owayebizwa langokuthi nguGidiyoni lanxa wayebenzele izinto ezinhle kakhulu.+

9 Ngemva kwesikhathi u-Abhimeleki+ indodana kaJerubhali waya kubafowabo bakanina eShekhemu, wafika wakhuluma labo lemuli yonke kayisemkhulu* wathi: 2 “Ngicela libuze bonke abakhokheli beShekhemu lithi, ‘Yikuphi okungcono kini, ukuthi libuswe ngamadodana kaJerubhali+ angu-70 kumbe ukuthi libuswe ngumuntu oyedwa? Lingakhohlwa ukuthi mina ngiyisihlobo senu segazi.’”*

3 Yikho abafowabo bakanina bamkhulumela labakhokheli beShekhemu. Inhliziyo zabakhokheli labo zathatheka ngo-Abhimeleki bathi: “Phela ungumfowethu.” 4 Bamnika inhlamvu zesiliva ezingu-70 ababezithethe ethempelini likaBhali-bherithi,*+ u-Abhimeleki wasezisebenzisa ukuqhatsha amadoda axhwalileyo ayetshona ehlezi engenzi lutho, wathi amphelekezele. 5 Waya endlini kayise e-Ofira+ wafika wabulala abafowabo+ abangu-70 ababengamadodana kaJerubhali, ebabulalela phezu kwedwala elilodwa. UJothamu indodana encane kaJerubhali nguye yedwa owasilayo ngoba wayecatshile.

6 Bonke abakhokheli beShekhemu labo bonke abantu beBhethi-milo babuthana esihlahleni esikhulu esiseduze lensika eyayiseShekhemu ukuze babeke u-Abhimeleki ukuthi abe yinkosi.+

7 Lapho uJothamu ekuzwa lokho, wasukuma masinyane wayakuma phezu kwentaba iGerizimu+ wamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu wathi: “Ngicela lingilalele lina bakhokheli beShekhemu ukuze lani uNkulunkulu alilalele.

8 “Ngelinye ilanga izihlahla zasuka zisiyakhetha* inkosi yazo. Zathi esihlahleni sama-oliva, ‘Sicela ube yinkosi yethu.’+ 9 Kodwa isihlahla sama-oliva sathi, ‘Kambe sengingayekela ukwenza amafutha ami asetshenziswa ukudumisa uNkulunkulu labantu ngisiyazunguza ingatsha zami phezu kwezinye izihlahla?’ 10 Izihlahla lezo zasezikhuluma lesihlahla somkhiwa zathi, ‘Sicela ube yinkosi yethu.’ 11 Kodwa isihlahla somkhiwa sathi kuzo, ‘Kambe sengingatshiya ukuthela izithelo ezimnandi kangaka ngisiyazunguza ingatsha zami phezu kwezinye izihlahla?’ 12 Izihlahla lezo zasezikhuluma lesihlahla samagilebisi zathi, ‘Sicela ube yinkosi yethu.’ 13 Kodwa isihlahla samagilebisi sathi, ‘Kambe sengingayekela ukwenza iwayini lami elitsha elithokozisa uNkulunkulu labantu, ngisiyazunguza ingatsha zami phezu kwezinye izihlahla?’ 14 Ekucineni zonke izihlahla zathi esihlahleni sameva, ‘Sicela ube yinkosi yethu.’+ 15 Isihlahla sameva sasesisithi, ‘Nxa lingibeka ukuthi ngibe yinkosi yenu sibili, wozani lizocatsha ngaphansi komthunzi wami. Kodwa nxa lingasoze likwenze lokho, kuzaphuma umlilo ezingatsheni zami uqothule imisedari yaseLebhanoni.’

16 “Litshengise ukuthi lithembekile lokuthi liqotho yini ngokwenza u-Abhimeleki abe yinkosi?+ Liyenzele umusa yini indlu kaJerubhali njalo limphathe ngendlela emfaneleyo yini? 17 Ubaba wafaka impilo yakhe engozini elilwela+ ukuze alikhulule esandleni samaMidiyani.+ 18 Kodwa lamuhla livukele indlu kababa labulalela amadodana akhe angu-70 edwaleni elilodwa,+ laselibeka u-Abhimeleki indodana yesigqilikazi+ sakhe ukuthi abe yinkosi yabantu beShekhemu ngenxa nje yokuthi ungumfowenu. 19 Nxa elikwenzayo lamuhla kutshengisa ukuthi lithembekile lokuthi liqotho kuJerubhali lemuli yakhe, thokozani ngo-Abhimeleki laye athokoze ngani. 20 Kodwa nxa kungenjalo, akuphume umlilo ku-Abhimeleki utshabalalise abakhokheli beShekhemu leBhethi-milo,+ uphinde uphume lakubakhokheli beShekhemu leBhethi-milo utshabalalise u-Abhimeleki.”+

21 Ngemva kwalokho uJothamu+ wabalekela eBheri wayahlala khona ngenxa yokuthi wayesesaba umfowabo u-Abhimeleki.

22 U-Abhimeleki wabusa abako-Israyeli* okweminyaka emithathu. 23 UNkulunkulu wenza ukuthi kube lokuzondana phakathi kuka-Abhimeleki labakhokheli beShekhemu, basebesenza iqhinga lokuhlamukela u-Abhimeleki. 24 UNkulunkulu wenza lokho ephindisela isihluku esasenziwe emadodaneni kaJerubhali angu-70 ukuze ajezise u-Abhimeleki ngenxa yokubulala abafowabo.+ Wayefuna lokujezisa abakhokheli beShekhemu ngoba yibo ababemncedisile. 25 Abakhokheli beShekhemu bathuma amadoda ukuthi amcathamele ezintabeni futhi ahlasele bonke abadlula emgwaqweni, abathathele impahla yabo. Lokhu kwacina kufika endlebeni zika-Abhimeleki.

26 UGali indodana ka-Ebhedi kanye labafowabo basuka baya eShekhemu,+ njalo abakhokheli beShekhemu bamthemba. 27 Bavuna amagilebisi abo emasimini, bawagxobagxoba benza iwayini basebesenza idili.* Ngemva kwalokho baya endlini kankulunkulu wabo+ bafika badla banatha futhi baqalekisa u-Abhimeleki. 28 UGali indodana ka-Ebhedi wathi: “Kanti ungubani u-Abhimeleki futhi uShekhemu yena uyini ukuthi sesingaze simkhonze? Kasindodana kaJerubhali+ yini futhi uZebhuli kasinduna yakhe enkulu na? Khonzani amadodana kaHamori uyise kaShekhemu! Kanti u-Abhimeleki siyabe simkhonzelani? 29 Ngabe abantu laba bebekhokhelwa yimi bengizamthathela ubukhosi u-Abhimeleki.” Waseseyisa u-Abhimeleki esithi: “Ngezelela ibutho lakho ubuye sizokulwa.”

30 UZebhuli umbusi wedolobho wazonda wabila esizwa amazwi kaGali indodana ka-Ebhedi. 31 Wasethuma izithunywa ngudlu ku-Abhimeleki esithi: “UGali indodana ka-Ebhedi labafowabo sebeseShekhemu njalo batshotshozela abantu ukuthi bakuvukele. 32 Yikho buya ebusuku lamadoda olawo limcathamele phandle kwedolobho, 33 besekusithi ekuseni ilanga liphuma nje lihlasele idolobho. Nxa angaphuma lamadoda alawo ezokulwa lani, yenzani konke okusemandleni enu ukuze limnqobe.”

34 Ngakho u-Abhimeleki labantu bonke ayelabo bavuka ebusuku bengamaqembu amane bayacathama ngaphandle kweShekhemu. 35 UGali indodana ka-Ebhedi wasuka wayakuma egedini ledolobho, u-Abhimeleki labantu ayelabo basebephuma lapho ababecatheme khona. 36 UGali uthe ebona abantu labo wathi kuZebhuli: “Khangela! Kulabantu abehla ezintabeni.” Kodwa uZebhuli wathi kuye: “Wena ubona izithunzi zezintaba ubususithi ngabantu.”

37 UGali waphinda wathi: “Khangela! Kulabantu abehla besuka phakathi kwelizwe besiza ngapha. Elinye iqembu lithutsha ngendlela yesihlahla esikhulu seMeyonenimi.” 38 UZebhuli wasephendula wathi: “Kanti kayisuwe obudelela usithi, ‘Ungubani u-Abhimeleki ukuthi sesingaze simkhonze?’+ Kayisibo yini abantu laba obubeyisa? Phuma-ke khathesi uyekulwa labo.”

39 UGali wasephuma ekhokhele izikhulu zeShekhe-mu wayakulwa lo-Abhimeleki. 40 UGali wabaleka, u-Abhimeleki wamxotshanisa. Kwafa abantu abanengi futhi izidumbu zabo zazithe dandalazi emgwaqweni kuze kuyefika egedini ledolobho.

41 U-Abhimeleki waqhubeka ehlala e-Aruma njalo uZebhuli+ waxotsha uGali labafowabo eShekhemu. 42 Ngelanga elilandelayo abantu baphuma baya ngaphandle kwedolobho. U-Abhimeleki wakuzwa lokho, 43 wasesehlukanisa abantu bakhe baba ngamaqembu amathathu, bacathama phandle kwedolobho. Wathi ebona abantu bephuma edolobheni wabahlasela wababulala. 44 U-Abhimeleki leqembu ayelalo basuka bayavimba egedini ledolobho. Amanye amaqembu akhe amabili wona ahlasela bonke ababephandle kwedolobho ababulala. 45 Walwa labantu bedolobho lelo ilanga lonke walithumba, wabulala bonke ababekulo futhi walidiliza+ wasehaza isawudo yonke indawo.

46 Abakhokheli ababehlala emphotshongweni weShekhemu bathi bekuzwa lokho, babaleka bonke baya endaweni yokucatsha* eyayisethempelini lika-Eli-bherithi.*+ 47 Kwathi kufika endlebeni zika-Abhimeleki ukuthi bonke abakhokheli abahlala emphotshongweni weShekhemu babebuthene ndawonye, 48 wasuka labantu ayelabo bakhwela entabeni iZalimoni. U-Abhimeleki wathatha ihloka wagamula ugatsha esihlahleni waluthwala ngehlombe wasesithi ebantwini ayelabo: “Phangisani lenze lokho elibone ngikwenza!” 49 Ngakho bonke bagamula ingatsha bamlandela. Bafika babuthelela ingatsha lezo endaweni okwakucatshe kuyo abantu beShekhemu, basebeyithungela ngomlilo. Bonke abantu ababephakathi komphotshongo weShekhemu bafa. Kwakulamadoda labesifazana abangaba ngu-1 000.

50 U-Abhimeleki wasuka lapho waya eThebhezi, wafika wayivimbezela waseyithumba. 51 Phakathi kwedolobho lelo kwakulomphotshongo oqinileyo. Yikho wonke amadoda labesifazana kanye labakhokheli bedolobho babalekela kuwo bayazivalela phakathi, basebekhwela baya ephahleni. 52 U-Abhimeleki wasuka waya emphotshongweni lowo wawuhlasela. Wasondela emnyango esithi kahle athungele umphotshongo ngomlilo, 53 kodwa omunye owesifazana waphosa ilitshe lokuchola lamtshaya ekhanda wadabuka ukhakhayi.+ 54 U-Abhimeleki wahle wabiza inceku eyayimthwalele izikhali wathi kuyo: “Hwatsha inkemba yakho ungibulale ukuze abantu bangathi, ‘Wabulawa ngowesifazana.’” Ngakho inceku yakhe yamgwaza wafa.

55 Amadoda ako-Israyeli athi ebona ukuthi u-Abhimeleki wayesefile abuyela emizini yawo. 56 Le yiyo indlela uNkulunkulu aphindisela ngayo isihluku esasenziwe ngu-Abhimeleki kuyise ngesikhathi ebulala abafowabo abangu-70.+ 57 Waphinda wehlisela phezu kwamadoda aseShekhemu ububi ayebenzile. Isiqalekiso sikaJothamu+ indodana kaJerubhali+ saba phezu kwabo.

10 Ngemva kuka-Abhimeleki kwalandela uThola indoda yako-Isakhari. Wayehlala eShamiri emangweni wezintaba zako-Efrayimi futhi wayeyindodana kaPhuwa, indodana kaDodo. Laye wabakhulula abako-Israyeli.+ 2 Wahlulela abako-Israyeli okweminyaka engu-23 wasesifa wangcwatshwa eShamiri.

3 Kwathi esefile kwalandela uJayiri waseGiliyadi njalo wahlulela abako-Israyeli okweminyaka engu-22. 4 Wayelamadodana angu-30 ayegada obabhemi abangu-30 futhi ngamunye wabo wayeledolobho lakhe. Lalamuhla amadolobho la abizwa ngokuthi yiHavothi-jayiri+ njalo aselizweni leGiliyadi. 5 UJayiri wafa wasengcwatshwa eKhamoni.

6 Abako-Israyeli baphinda benza okubi phambi kukaJehova*+ baqalisa ukukhonza oBhali+ lezithombe zika-Ashithorethi labonkulunkulu be-Aramu,* labeSidoni, labamaMowabi,+ labama-Amoni+ kanye labamaFilisti. Bamtshiya uJehova bayekela ukumkhonza.+ 7 UJehova wabathukuthelela kakhulu abako-Israyeli wasebanikela ezandleni zamaFilisti lama-Amoni.+ 8 Abahlukuluza kakhulu abako-Israyeli futhi abathwalisa nzima ngalowo mnyaka. Abacindezela okweminyaka engu-18 bonke abako-Israyeli ababehlala ngaphetsheya kukaJodani eGiliyadi, elizweni elalingelama-Amori. 9 Ama-Amoni ayechapha uJodani esiyakulwa loJuda loBhenjamini lendlu ka-Efrayimi. Abako-Israyeli basebephakathi kwelitshe lembokodo. 10 Yikho-ke bakhala kuJehova becela ukuthi abasize+ bathi: “Sonile kuwe Nkulunkulu wethu ngoba sikutshiyile sakhonza oBhali.”+

11 Kodwa uJehova wathi kwabako-Israyeli: “Kangizange ngilikhulule yini esandleni samaGibhithe,+ lakuma-Amori,+ lama-Amoni, lamaFilisti,+ 12 lamaSidoni, lama-Amaleki labakoMidiyani ngesikhathi belicindezela? Lakhala kimi licela uncedo ngalikhulula esandleni sabo. 13 Kodwa lina langitshiya lakhonza abanye onkulunkulu,+ yikho angisoze ngilikhulule futhi.+ 14 Hambani kubonkulunkulu elabakhethayo licele kubo uncedo.+ Kabalikhulule bona ebunzimeni elikubo.”+ 15 Kodwa abako-Israyeli bathi kuJehova: “Sonile. Yenza kithi loba yini oyibona ilungile emehlweni akho. Esikucelayo nje yikuthi usikhulule lamuhla.” 16 Basusa onkulunkulu bezinye izizwe phakathi kwabo basebekhonza uJehova.+ Lokhu kwenza wehluleka ukubekezelela ukuhlupheka kwama-Israyeli.+

17 Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi ama-Amoni+ aqoqana amisa inkamba yawo eGiliyadi. Abako-Israyeli labo babuthana bamisa eyabo inkamba eMizipha. 18 Abantu beGiliyadi labakhokheli babo babuzana bathi: “Ngubani ozasikhokhela nxa sesisilwa lama-Amoni?+ Lowomuntu uzakuba yinduna yabo bonke abahlala eGiliyadi.”

11 UJeftha+ waseGiliyadi wayeyindoda eliqhawe. Wayezalwa ngowesifazana oyisifebe njalo uyise kwakunguGiliyadi. 2 Kodwa uGiliyadi wayelamanye amadodana ayewazalelwe yinkosikazi yakhe. Amadodana akhe athi esekhulile axotsha uJeftha esithi: “Kawusoze uthole lifa endlini kababa ngoba uzalwa ngomunye umfazi.” 3 Yikho uJeftha wabaleka kubafowabo wayahlala elizweni laseThobhi njalo amadoda ayetshona ehlezi engenzi lutho amanyana laye amlandela.

4 Ngemva kwesikhathi ama-Amoni alwa labako-Israyeli.+ 5 Abadala beGiliyadi bathi bebona ukuthi ama-Amoni ayesesilwa labako-Israyeli, basuka masinyane besiyathatha uJeftha elizweni laseThobhi. 6 Bafika bathi kuJeftha: “Woza uzokuba ngumkhokheli wethu ukuze senelise ukulwa lama-Amoni.” 7 Kodwa uJeftha wathi ebadaleni beGiliyadi: “Kanti kayisini elangizonda laze langixotsha endlini kababa?+ Kungani selibuya kimi selilohlupho?” 8 Abadala beGiliyadi basebesithi kuJeftha: “Yikho size kuwe. Nxa ungahamba lathi uyekulwa lama-Amoni, uzakuba ngumkhokheli wabantu bonke beGiliyadi.” + 9 UJeftha wasesithi ebadaleni beGiliyadi: “Nxa ngingahamba lani ukuyakulwa lama-Amoni futhi uJehova angisize ukuthi ngiwanqobe, ngizakuba ngumkhokheli wenu.” 10 Abadala beGiliyadi basebesithi kuJeftha: “UJehova kabe ngufakazi phakathi kwethu lawe nxa singayekela ukwenza okutshoyo.” 11 Yikho-ke uJeftha wahamba labadala beGiliyadi futhi abantu bamenza umkhokheli lenduna yabo. UJeftha wawaphinda wonke amazwi akhe phambi kukaJehova eMizipha.+

12 UJeftha wasethuma izithunywa enkosini yama-Amoni+ esithi: “Kuyini ongibangisa khona uze ubuye uzohlasela ilizwe lami?” 13 Inkosi yama-Amoni yaphendula izithunywa zikaJeftha yathi: “Ngiyakuhlasela ngoba abako-Israyeli bathi bephuma eGibhithe+ bafika bathatha ilizwe lami kusukela e-Arinoni+ kusiya eJabhokhi kuqhubeke kuze kuyefika eJodani.+ Khathesi libuyisele ngokuthula.” 14 Kodwa uJeftha watshela izithunywa zakhe ukuthi zibuyele enkosini yama-Amoni, 15 zifike zithi:

“UJeftha uthe: ‘Abako-Israyeli abazange bathathe ilizwe lamaMowabi+ lelama-Amoni,+ 16 ngoba bathi bephuma eGibhithe badabula enkangala badlula eLwandle Olubomvu+ baze bayafika eKhadeshi.+ 17 Sebelapho bathuma izithunywa enkosini yase-Edomi+ besithi: “Sicela ukudlula elizweni lakho,” kodwa inkosi yase-Edomi ayizange ivume. Bathumela ilizwi lasenkosini yamaMowabi+ kodwa layo ayizange ivume. Yikho abako-Israyeli baqhubeka behlala eKhadeshi.+ 18 Ngesikhathi bedabula enkangala bahamba beceza ilizwe lase-Edomi+ lelamaMowabi. Badlula besempumalanga kwelizwe lamaMowabi+ bayamisa inkamba yabo ngaphetsheya kwe-Arinoni. Abazange beqe umngcele bangene elizweni lamaMowabi ngoba i-Arinoni yiyo eyayingumngcele welizwe lamaMowabi.+

19 “‘Ngemva kwalokho abako-Israyeli bathuma izithunywa kuSihoni inkosi yama-Amori eyayibusa eHeshibhoni, bathi kuye: “Sicela ukudlula elizweni lakho sisiya endaweni yethu.”+ 20 Kodwa uSihoni wala ukuthi abako-Israyeli badlule elizweni lakhe ngenxa yokuthi wayengabathembi. Wabiza bonke abantu bakhe babuthana eJahazi balwa labako-Israyeli.+ 21 UJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli wanikela uSihoni labo bonke abantu bakhe esandleni sama-Israyeli. Bawanqoba ama-Amori bathatha lonke ilizwe ayehlala kulo kuleyondawo.+ 22 Bathatha lonke ilizwe lama-Amori kusukela e-Arinoni kuze kuyefika eJabhokhi, kusukela enkangala kusiya kuJodani.+

23 “‘UJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli nguye owaxotsha ama-Amori phambi kwabantu bakhe.+ Manje wena nguwe osungabasusa yini? 24 Angithi wena uthatha lokho okuphiwa ngunkulunkulu wakho uKhemoshi?+ Yikho lathi sithatha ilizwe laloba ngubani oxotshwa nguJehova uNkulunkulu wethu phambi kwethu.+ 25 Kambe wena ungcono kuloBhalakhi+ indodana kaZiphori inkosi yamaMowabi? Yena wake wamelana labako-Israyeli yini? Wake walwa labo yini? 26 Abako-Israyeli sebeleminyaka engu-300 behlala eHeshibhoni lasemadolobheni aseduze kwayo,+ lase-Aroweri lasemadolobheni aseduze kwayo kanye lasemadolobheni wonke aduze lomfula u-Arinoni. Pho kungani lihlale iminyaka yonke le lingazithathanga indawo lezi?+ 27 Angikonelanga lutho kodwa nguwe ophambanisayo ngokungihlasela. UJehova uMahluleli+ kahlulele lamuhla phakathi kwama-Israyeli lama-Amoni.’”

28 Kodwa inkosi yama-Amoni kayizange ililalele ilizwi eyayilithunyelwe nguJeftha.

29 Umoya kaJehova wehlela phezu kukaJeftha+ wasedabula elizweni leGiliyadi lelakoManase esiya eMizipha yaseGiliyadi,+ wadlulela phambili esiyakulwa lama-Amoni.

30 UJeftha wafunga+ kuJehova wathi: “Nxa unganikela ama-Amoni esandleni sami, 31 ngizakupha loba ngubani ozakuba ngowokuqala ukuphuma endlini yami engihlangabeza sengivela nqoba ama-Amoni. Uzakuba ngowakho Jehova+ futhi ngizanikela ngaye, abe ngumnikelo wokutshiswa.”+

32 UJeftha wasuka-ke wayakulwa lama-Amoni njalo uJehova wawanikela esandleni sakhe. 33 Wabulala ama-Amoni amanengi kusukela e-Aroweri kuze kuyefika eMinithi futhi wathumba lamadolobho angu-20 waze wayafika e-Abheli-kheramimi. Abako-Israyeli bawanqoba njalo ama-Amoni.

34 Ngemva kwalokho uJeftha wabuyela emzini wakhe eMizipha.+ Uthe efika nje indodakazi yakhe yaphuma yamhlangabeza, itshaya ithamborini futhi igida. Wayelomntwana oyedwa zwi, engela enye indodakazi loba indodana. 35 Wathi eyibona wadabula izembatho zakhe wathi: “Awu ndodakazi yami! Sungidabule inhliziyo ngoba sengizakwehlukana* lawe. Ngifungile kuJehova, ngeke ngephule isithembiso sami.”+

36 Kodwa indodakazi yakhe yathi: “Baba, nxa ufungile kuJehova yenza kimi njengoba uthembisile+ ngoba uJehova usekuphindiselele ezitheni zakho ama-Amoni.” 37 Yaqhubeka yathi kuyise: “Kulento eyodwa nje engiyicelayo. Ngicela ungivumele ngiye ezintabeni okwenyanga ezimbili ngiyelilela ubuntombi bami ngilabangane bami.”*

38 UJeftha wasesithi endodakazini yakhe: “Kulungile.” Wayivumela ukuthi iye ezintabeni labangane bayo ukuze iyelilela ubuntombi bayo. 39 Ngemva kwenyanga ezimbili yabuyela kuyise, uJeftha wasegcwalisa isifungo ayesenzile ngendodakazi yakhe.+ Kayizange ilale lendoda okwempilo yayo yonke. Kwaba ngumkhuba ko-Israyeli 40 ukuthi minyaka yonke amadodakazi aseJerusalema ahambe ayekhuthaza* indodakazi kaJeftha waseGiliyadi. Lokhu ayekwenza okwensuku ezine ngomnyaka.

12 Amadoda ako-Efrayimi abizwa asebuthana ndawonye achapha aya eZafoni,* afika athi kuJeftha: “Kungani ungasibizanga ngesikhathi usiyakulwa lama-Amoni?+ Sizakutshisela endlini.” 2 Kodwa uJeftha wathi kuwo: “Mina labantu bami besisempini enzima sisilwa lama-Amoni. Ngilibizile ukuthi lizongincedisa kodwa alizange lingikhulule esandleni sawo. 3 Ngithe ngibona ukuthi alisoze lingincede ngafaka impilo yami engozini ngalwa lama-Amoni,+ uJehova wawanikela esandleni sami. Manje kungani selizokulwa lami?”

4 UJeftha wasebuthanisa wonke amadoda aseGiliyadi+ wayakulwa lo-Efrayimi. Amadoda aseGiliyadi abanqoba abako-Efrayimi ababethe kuwo: “Lanxa lina bantu beGiliyadi lihlala phakathi kwesizwana sako-Efrayimi lesakoManase labaleka elizweni lako-Efrayimi.” 5 AbaseGiliyadi bathumba amazibuko* aseJodani+ bavimbezela abako-Efrayimi. Nxa indoda yako-Efrayimi izochapha lapho yayifika ithi: “Ngicela ukudlula.” AbaseGiliyadi besebeyibuza bathi, “Ungowako-Efrayimi yini?” Nxa ingaphendula ithi, “Hatshi,” 6 babesithi kuyo, “Sicela uthi Shibholethi.” Kodwa yona ithi, “Sibholethi,” ngoba ingenelisi ukulibiza kuhle ibala lelo. Ngakho babeyibamba bayibulalele emazibukweni* aseJodani. Kwabulawa abako-Efrayimi abangu-42 000.

7 UJeftha waseGiliyadi wahlulela abako-Israyeli okweminyaka eyisithupha, wasesifa wangcwatshwa edolobheni ayehlala kulo eGiliyadi.

8 Ngemva kwakhe u-Ibhizani waseBhethilehema wahlulela abako-Israyeli.+ 9 Wayelamadodana angu-30 lamadodakazi angu-30 njalo wendisela amadodakazi akhe ebantwini abangayisibo bosendo lwakhe. Wadingela amadodana akhe abesifazana abangu-30 ukuze babe ngomkawo. U-Ibhizani wahlulela abako-Israyeli okweminyaka eyisikhombisa, 10 wasesifa wangcwatshwa eBhethilehema.

11 Ngemva kwakhe u-Eloni wakoZebhuloni wahlulela abako-Israyeli okweminyaka elitshumi. 12 U-Eloni wakoZebhuloni wafa wasengcwatshwa e-Ayijaloni elizweni lakoZebhuloni.

13 Ngemva kwakhe u-Abhidoni indodana kaHileli umPhirathoni wahlulela abako-Israyeli. 14 Wayelamadodana angu-40 labazukulu abangabafana abangu-30 njalo babegada obabhemi abangu-70. Wahlulela abako-Israyeli okweminyaka engu-8. 15 U-Abhidoni indodana kaHileli umPhirathoni wafa wasengcwatshwa ePhirathoni elizweni lako-Efrayimi entabeni yama-Amaleki.+

13 Abako-Israyeli baqalisa futhi ukwenza okubi phambi kukaJehova,*+ uJehova wasebanikela ezandleni zamaFilisti+ okweminyaka engu-40.

2 Ngalesosikhathi kwakulendoda yaseZora+ okwakuthiwa nguManowa+ eyayingeyesizwana sakoDani.+ Umkayo wayengelamntwana ngoba wayeyinyumba.+ 3 Ngelinye ilanga ingilosi kaJehova yabonakala kowesifazana lo yathi kuye: “Lanxa uyinyumba uzazithwala ubelethe indodana.+ 4 Ngakho nanzelela unganathi iwayini kumbe utshwala+ njalo ungadli loba yini engcolileyo,+ 5 ngoba uzazithwala ubelethe indodana. Akumelanga iphucwe ikhanda+ ngoba izakuba ngumNaziri* kaNkulunkulu kusukela izalwa* njalo yiyo ezakhokhela ekusindiseni abantu bako-Israyeli esandleni samaFilisti.”+

6 Owesifazana lo wasuka wayabikela umkakhe wathi: “Kulomuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso ofike kimi. Ubefanana lengilosi kaNkulunkulu weqiniso futhi ubemangalisa. Angimbuzanga ukuthi uvela ngaphi, laye kangitshelanga ibizo lakhe.+ 7 Kodwa uthe kimi, ‘Uzazithwala ubelethe indodana. Ngakho unganathi iwayini kumbe utshwala futhi ungadli loba yini engcolileyo ngoba umntwana lo uzakuba ngumNaziri* kaNkulunkulu kusukela ezalwa* kuze kube lilanga azakufa ngalo.’”

8 UManowa wancenga uJehova wathi: “Bengilesicelo Jehova. Ngicela inceku yakho osanda kuyithuma iphenduke izosifundisa ukuthi umntwana ozazalwa simkhulise njani.” 9 UNkulunkulu weqiniso wamlalela uManowa. Ingilosi kaNkulunkulu weqiniso yasiphenduka yathola umkaManowa ezihlalele emasimini. UManowa yena wayengekho. 10 UmkaManowa wasuka masinyane wayatshela umkakhe wathi: “Indoda leyana eyabonakala kimi mhlalokhuyana isiphendukile futhi.”+

11 UManowa wasuka wahamba lomkakhe. Wafika endodeni leyo wathi kuyo: “Nguwe yini owakhuluma lomkami?” Yamphendula yathi: “Ye yimi.” 12 UManowa wasesithi: “Kwangathi amazwi akho angagcwaliseka! Manje umntwana ozazalwa uzaphila njani futhi uzakwenza msebenzi bani?”+ 13 Ingilosi kaJehova yamphendula yathi: “Umkakho kumele alandele konke engamtshela khona.+ 14 Akumelanga adle amagilebisi lakho konke okwenziwe ngawo kumbe anathe iwayini loba utshwala+ njalo akumelanga adle loba yini engcolileyo.+ Kumele alandele konke engamtshela khona.”

15 UManowa wasesithi engilosini kaJehova: “Sicela uhlale sikuhlabele izinyane lembuzi.”+ 16 Kodwa ingilosi kaJehova yathi kuye: “Lanxa ngingaze ngihlale kangisoze ngidle ukudla kwenu. Kodwa nxa lifuna ukunikela kuJehova umnikelo wokutshiswa lingawunikela.” UManowa wayengakwazi ukuthi kwakuyingilosi kaJehova. 17 UManowa wasesithi engilosini kaJehova: “Ibizo lakho ungubani?+ Sifuna ukukubonga nxa amazwi akho esegcwalisekile.” 18 Kodwa ingilosi kaJehova yamphendula yathi: “Kungani ubuza ibizo lami lona limangalisa kangaka?”

19 UManowa wathatha izinyane lembuzi lamabele wanikela ngakho kuJehova phezu kwedwala. UNkulunkulu wenza isimanga uManowa lomkakhe bekhangele. 20 Umlilo wathi ulokhu ubhebha e-alithareni ingilosi kaJehova yangena phakathi kwelangabi yaqansa yaya phezulu. UManowa lomkakhe bathe bekubona lokhu baguqa bathi mbo phansi ngobuso. 21 Ingilosi kaJehova ayiphindanga yabonakala kuManowa lomkakhe. UManowa wananzelela ukuthi bekuyingilosi kaJehova,+ 22 wasesithi kumkakhe: “Sizakufa sibili ngoba sibone uNkulunkulu.”+ 23 Kodwa umkakhe wamphendula wathi: “Ngabe uJehova ubefuna ukusibulala ubengasoze awamukele umnikelo wethu wokutshiswa+ lomnikelo wethu wamabele. Ubengasoze asitshengise izinto zonke lezi futhi ubengasoze asitshele konke lokhu.”

24 Ngemva kwesikhathi owesifazana lo wazala indodana wayibiza ngokuthi nguSamsoni.+ Umfana lo wakhula njalo uJehova waqhubeka embusisa. 25 Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi umoya kaJehova waqalisa ukusebenza kuye+ eseMahane-dani,+ phakathi kweZora le-Eshithawoli.+

14 USamsoni wasuka waya eThimina lapho abona khona owesifazana ongumFilisti.* 2 Wasebuyela ngakibo wafika wathi kuyise lonina: “Kulowesifazana engimbone eThimina ngamhawukela. Ngifuna lingithathele yena abe ngumkami.” 3 Kodwa uyise lonina bathi kuye: “Kanti ususwele yini intombi ongayithatha phakathi kwezihlobo zethu lasebantwini bakithi?+ Kambe usungaze uyethatha umfazi kumaFilisti abantu abangasokanga?” Lanxa kunjalo uSamsoni wathi kuyise: “Ngicela lingithathele yena ngoba nguye engimfunayo.”* 4 Uyise lonina babengananzeleli ukuthi nguJehova owayefuna enze njalo, edinga ithuba lokulwa lamaFilisti. Phela yiwo ayebusa ama-Israyeli ngalesosikhathi.+

5 USamsoni wasuka loyise lonina baya eThimina. Uthe efika emasimini amagilebisi eThimina kwathutsha isilwane sibhonga sisiza kuye. 6 Umoya kaJehova wamupha amandla,+ wasebamba isilwane leso wasidabula phakathi ngezandla angathi ngumuntu edabula okulizinyane kwembuzi. Kodwa kazange atshele uyise lonina lokho ayekwenzile. 7 Wamlanda-ke owesifazana ayembonile wakhuluma laye, wabona ukuthi nguye kanye ayemfuna.+

8 Ngelinye ilanga wathi esebuyela ukuthi ayemthatha ahambe laye ngakibo+ waphambuka endleleni efuna ukuyabona isidumbu sesilwane ayesibulele. Uthe efika lapho wabona phakathi kwaso kulenyosi loluju. 9 Ngakho waluthapha uluju lolo ngezandla zakhe wahamba ezidlela. Wathi efica uyise lonina wabapha, kodwa kazange abatshele ukuthi wayeluthaphe esidunjini sesilwane.

10 Uyise kaSamsoni wahamba wayabona owesifazana owayefunwa nguSamsoni. USamsoni wasesenza idili elikhulu khonangale ngoba yikho okwakujayele ukwenziwa ngamajaha ngalezonsuku. 11 Efika bamnika amajaha angu-30 ukuthi abe ngabakhaphi bakhe. 12 USamsoni wasesithi kuwo: “Ngicela ukulilibha. Nxa lingangitshela ukuthi ilibho leli litshoni kungakadluli insuku eziyisikhombisa zedili ngizalinika izembatho zelineni ezingu-30 kanye lezinye izembatho ezinhle ezingu-30. 13 Kodwa nxa lingehluleka ukulichasisa, lina yini eselizangipha izembatho zelineni ezingu-30 kanye lezinye izembatho ezinhle ezingu-30.” Wona amphendula athi: “Tshono ilibho lakho sizwe.” 14 Yikho wathi kuwo:

Kwedlula amalanga amathathu belokhu besehluleka ukulichasisa ilibho lelo. 15 Ngelanga lesine bathi kunkosikazi kaSamsoni: “Akuncenge umkakho+ asitshele ukuthi ilibho lakhe litshoni. Ungayekela ukwenza njalo sizakutshisa wena layo yonke imuli kayihlo. Kanti lisinxusele ukuthi lizosithathela impahla yethu?” 16 Ngakho umkaSamsoni waya kuye wafika wakhala wathi: “Wena uyangizonda sibili, vele awungithandi ngitsho.+ Ulibhe abantu bakithi kodwa mina awuzange ungitshele ukuthi ilibho lelo litshoni.” USamsoni wasesithi kuye: “Hawu! Kambe sengingalitshela wena mina ngingazange ngilitshele ngitsho labazali bami?” 17 Kodwa yena waqhubeka ekhala phambi kwakhe insuku zonke eziyisikhombisa zedili. USamsoni wacina emtshela ngelanga lesikhombisa ngoba wayelokhu emcindezela, yena wasesuka wayatshela abantu bakibo ukuthi ilibho lelo litshoni.+ 18 Ngakho ilanga lingakatshoni* ngosuku lwesikhombisa amadoda asedolobheni lelo afika kuSamsoni athi kuye:

USamsoni wawaphendula wathi:

19 Umoya kaJehova wamnika amandla+ wasesuka waya e-Ashikheloni+ wafika wabulala amadoda angu-30 wathatha izembatho zawo, wayazinika labo ababechasise ilibho lakhe.+ Wabuyela endlini kayise ezonde efile.

20 Ngemva kwalokho umkaSamsoni+ wendiselwa kwelinye ijaha elalikhaphe uSamsoni.+

15 Kwathi sekuzinsuku zokuvunwa kwengqoloyi, uSamsoni wahamba wayavakatshela umkakhe ethwele izinyane lembuzi. Wathi: “Ngifuna ukungena endlini yokulala* ngibone umkami.” Kodwa uyisezala kamvumelanga, 2 wathi: “Bengicabanga ukuthi awumthandi.*+ Yikho ngimendisele komunye wabakhaphi bakho.+ Umnawakhe kamuhle yini kulaye? Zithathele yena.” 3 USamsoni wasesithi: “Khathesi amaFilisti ngeke angisole nxa ngingawahlasela.”

4 USamsoni wasuka wayabamba amakhanka angu-300, wawabophanisa imisila ngamabili, wasebophela isibane esisodwa emisileni yawo. 5 Walumathisa izibane waseyekela amakhanka agijima ayangena emasimini amaFilisti. Kwatsha amabele wonke ayesevuniwe layengakavunwa, lamasimu amagilebisi lawama-oliva.

6 AmaFilisti athi: “Ngubani owenze lokhu?” Kwasekuthiwa: “NguSamsoni umkhwenyana womThimina. Wenze lokhu ngoba uyisezala wathatha umkakhe wamendisela kumkhaphi wakhe.”+ AmaFilisti athi ekuzwa lokhu asuka ayatshisa inkosikazi kaSamsoni loyise.+ 7 USamsoni wasesithi kuwo: “Nxa lingiphatha ngalindlela kangisoze ngiphumule ngize ngiphindisele.”+ 8 Yikho wawahlasela amaFilisti wabulala amanengi kakhulu.* Ngemva kwalokho wasuka wayahlala edwaleni elikhulu lase-Ethami.

9 AmaFilisti afika koJuda amisa inkamba yawo, abhodabhoda eLehi.+ 10 Abantu bakoJuda basebewabuza bathi: “Kungani lizosihlasela?” Wona aphendula athi: “Silande ukuzobopha uSamsoni ukuze simenze lokho asenze khona.” 11 Ngakho amadoda akoJuda angu-3 000 asuka aya edwaleni elikhulu lase-Ethami afika athi kuSamsoni: “Kanti awukwazi yini ukuthi amaFilisti ayasibusa?+ Pho kungani usidalele uhlupho olungaka?” Yena wathi: “Ngibenze lokho abangenze khona.” 12 Asesithi kuye: “Thina silande ukuzokubopha ukuze sikuhambise kumaFilisti.” USamsoni wathi: “Ngicela lifunge kimi ukuthi alisoze lingihlasele.” 13 Asesithi kuye: “Asisoze sikuhlasele. Sizakubopha kuphela sikuhambise kubo, ngeke sikubulale.”

Ngakho bambopha ngentambo ezimbili ezintsha basuka laye edwaleni lase-Ethami. 14 AmaFilisti athi embona efika eLehi ahlokoma ngentokozo. Umoya kaJehova wasusehlela kuye waba lamandla,+ waqamula intambo ayebotshwe ngazo ezandleni kwangathi zintanjana zelineni ezihangulwe lilangabi lomlilo.+ 15 Wasebona ithambo lomhlathi kababhemi elalingakawomi, walidobha wabulala ngalo amadoda angu-1 000.+ 16 USamsoni wathi:

“Ngomhlathi kababhemi ngibuthelele inqumbi phezu kwenqumbi!

Ngomhlathi kababhemi ngibulele amadoda angu-1 000.”+

17 Uthe eseqedile ukukhuluma walilahla ithambo lomhlathi kababhemi wasebiza indawo leyo ngokuthi yiRamathi-lehi.*+ 18 Wezwa esewome kakhulu wasekhala kuJehova esithi: “Nguwe owenze inceku yakho yanqoba kangaka. Manje khathesi sekumele ngife yini ngibulawa yikoma, besengiwela ezandleni zabantu abangasokanga?” 19 Ngakho uNkulunkulu waqhekeza umhlabathi egodini elaliseLehi kwasekuphuma amanzi,+ uSamsoni wanatha wezwa eselamandla futhi. Yikho wanika indawo leyo ibizo wathi yi-Eni-hakhore* njalo ilokhu ikhona eLehi kuze kube lamuhla.

20 Wahlulela abako-Israyeli ngesikhathi samaFilisti okweminyaka engu-20.+

16 Ngelinye ilanga uSamsoni waya eGaza. Wafika lapho wabona isifebe wasengena endlini yaso. 2 Abantu beGaza batshelwa ukuthi uSamsoni ukhonapho. Ngakho bagombolozela indawo ayekuyo bamcathamela egedini ledolobho. Balinda ubusuku bonke besithi: “Sizamhlasela nxa sekusile simbulale.”

3 USamsoni yena wayezilalele. Kwathi sekuphakathi kwamabili wavuka wabamba izivalo zegedi ledolobho lensika zalo ezimbili, wakuquphula konke lomgoqo wakhona, wasekuthwala emahlombe wakhwela lakho phezu kwentaba ekhangelane leHebroni.

4 USamsoni wathandana lowesifazana owayehlala esigodini seSorekhi okwakuthiwa nguDelila.+ 5 Ngakho ababusi bamaFilisti balanda uDelila bathi: “Mncenge aze*+ akutshele ukuthi uwathatha ngaphi amandla amakhulu kangaka lokuthi singenzani ukuze simehlule futhi simbophe. Nxa ungenza njalo, ngamunye wethu uzakunika inhlamvu zesiliva ezingu-1 100.”

6 Ngemva kwalokho uDelila wathi kuSamsoni: “Ngicela ungitshele ukuthi uwathatha ngaphi amandla amakhulu kangaka lokuthi ungabotshwa ngani ukuze unqotshwe.” 7 USamsoni wamphendula wathi: “Nxa ngingabotshwa ngentambo zedandili* eziyisikhombisa ezingonyiswanga, ngiyaphela amandla ngibe njengaye wonke umuntu nje.” 8 Ngakho ababusi bamaFilisti banika uDelila intambo zedandili eziyisikhombisa ezingonyiswanga, wasembopha ngazo. 9 Bathuma amadoda ukuthi amcathamele endlini engaphakathi, uDelila wasememeza wathi: “Samsoni nanka amaFilisti!” USamsoni wathi ekuzwa lokho waqamula intambo ayebotshwe ngazo, kwangathi zintanjana zelineni ezihangulwe lilangabi lomlilo.+ Ngakho kwaqhubeka kuyimfihlo ukuthi amandla akhe wayewathatha ngaphi.

10 UDelila wasesithi kuSamsoni: “Kambe uze ungenze isithutha kangaka ungitshele amanga! Khathesi ngicela ungitshele ukuthi ungabotshwa ngani.” 11 Yena wathi kuye: “Nxa ngingabotshwa ngentambo ezintsha ezingakaze zisetshenziswe ngiyaphela amandla ngibe njengaye wonke umuntu.” 12 Ngakho uDelila wathatha intambo ezintsha wambopha ngazo wasememeza wathi: “Samsoni nanka amaFilisti!” USamsoni waziqamula intambo lezo angathi luhali nje.+ Ngalesosikhathi kwakulamadoda ayemcathamele endlini engaphakathi.

13 Ngemva kwalokho uDelila wathi kuSamsoni: “Ulokhu ungenza isithutha futhi ungitshela amanga.+ Ngitshela phela ukuthi ungabotshwa ngani.” USamsoni wasesithi kuye: “Nxa ungeluka izixha eziyisikhombisa zenwele zami uzihlanganise ngentambo yokuthunga, ngiyaphela amandla.” 14 Wazibopha-ke inwele zikaSamsoni wafaka iphini, wamemeza wathi: “Samsoni nanka amaFilisti!” USamsoni wavuka wahwatsha iphini leyo wadonsa lentambo ayemeluke ngayo.

15 UDelila wasesithi kuye: “Kungani usithi uyangithanda+ wena inhliziyo yakho ingekho kimi? Sekukathathu ulokhu ungenza isithutha futhi ungifihlela ukuthi amandla akho amakhulu uwathatha ngaphi.”+ 16 Wayehlala embelesela nsuku zonke njalo ephikelela, uSamsoni waze wadakeka.+ 17 Ngakho wacina emtshela iqiniso lonke wathi: “Kangikaze ngigelwe ikhanda ngoba ngaba ngumNaziri* kaNkulunkulu kusukela ngizalwa.*+ Nxa ikhanda lami lingaphucwa ngizaphela amandla ngifanane labantu bonke nje.”

18 UDelila wathi ebona ukuthi uSamsoni wayesemtshele lonke iqiniso, wahle wabiza ababusi bamaFilisti+ wathi kubo: “Buyani ngoba usengitshele yonke imfihlo yakhe.” Ngakho ababusi bamaFilisti baya kuye bemphathele imali yakhe. 19 UDelila walalisa uSamsoni enyaweni wamlolozela, wabiza indoda eyayilapho wathi imgele izixha zenwele zakhe eziyisikhombisa. UDelila wasesiba lamandla phezu kukaSamsoni ngoba amandla kaSamsoni ayesephela. 20 Wamemeza wathi: “Samsoni nanka amaFilisti!” USamsoni waphaphama ebuthongweni wathi: “Ngizavuka njengensukwini+ ngizilwele.” Kodwa wayengakwazi ukuthi uJehova usemtshiyile. 21 AmaFilisti asembamba amkopola amehlo, amthatha ahamba laye eGaza afika ambopha ngamaketane amabili amfaka ejele. Amgcina khona esebenza ukuchola amabele. 22 Inwele zakhe zaqalisa ukukhula futhi ngemva kokugelwa kwazo.+

23 Ababusi bamaFilisti babuthana ndawonye ukuze banikele umhlatshelo oqakathekileyo kunkulunkulu wabo uDagoni+ lokuthi bathokoze ngoba babesithi: “Unkulunkulu wethu unikele isitha sethu uSamsoni ezandleni zethu!” 24 AmaFilisti athi ebona uSamsoni adumisa unkulunkulu wawo esithi: “Unkulunkulu wethu usenikele isitha sethu ezandleni zethu. Umuntu lo nguye ochithe ilizwe lethu+ wabulala labantu bakithi abanengi.”+

25 Bathokoza kakhulu baze bathi: “Lethani uSamsoni azosilibazisa.” Ngakho bakhipha uSamsoni ejele ukuze bazomenza inhlekisa, bafika bammisa phakathi kwensika ezimbili. 26 USamsoni wasekhuluma lomfana owayemqhuba wathi: “Ngicela ukuthinta insika zendlu ngifuna ukubambelela kuzo.” 27 (Indlu leyo yayigcwele amadoda labesifazana. Bonke ababusi bamaFilisti babekhona phakathi, njalo ephahleni kwakulamadoda labesifazana abangu-3 000 ababebukele uSamsoni behlekisana ngaye.)

28 USamsoni+ wakhuleka kuJehova wathi: “Nkosi Enkulu Jehova, ngicela ungikhumbule unginike amandla.+ Ngicela ungiphe amandla kanye nje kuphela, awu Nkulunkulu wami, ungisize ngiphindisele kumaFilisti, ngiphindiselele ilihlo lami elilodwa nje.”+

29 Wasebambelela ensikeni ezimbili zendlu, wazibamba waqinisa ngesandla sokudla lesenxele, 30 wamemeza wathi: “Kangife* lamaFilisti!” Wafuqa insika lezo ngamandla akhe wonke, indlu yadilikela phezu kwababusi labantu bonke ababephakathi.+ Wabulala abantu abanengi ekufeni kwakhe ukwedlula bonke ayebabulele ngezinye izikhathi empilweni yakhe.+

31 Ngemva kwalokho abafowabo labo bonke abendlu kayise babuya bazomthatha. Bahamba bayamngcwaba ethuneni likayise uManowa,+ phakathi kweZora+ le-Eshithawoli. USamsoni wahlulela abako-Israyeli okweminyaka engu-20.+

17 Kwakulendoda okwakuthiwa nguMikha eyayidabuka elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi.+ 2 Yathi kunina: “Usazikhumbula yini inhlamvu zakho zesiliva ezingu-1 100 ezatshontshwayo? Ngakuzwa uqalekisa lowo owazitshontshayo. Bengisithi ngikutshele ukuthi isiliva leso sikimi, yimi engasithathayo.” Unina wasesithi: “UJehova kayibusise indodana yami.” 3 Yikho wathatha inhlamvu lezo zesiliva ezingu-1 100 wazibuyisela kunina, kodwa unina wathi kuye: “Isiliva lesi ngizasinikela kuJehova. Ngifuna wenze ngaso isithombe sensimbi lesithombe esibaziweyo.+ Yikho isiliva lesi ngisibuyisela kuwe.”

4 Ngakho uthe esezibuyisele kunina inhlamvu zesiliva, unina wathatha ezingu-200 wazinika umkhandi wesiliva, yena wasesenza isithombe sensimbi lesithombe esibaziweyo. Izithombe lezo zafakwa endlini kaMikha. 5 UMikha wayelendlu ayegcinela kuyo onkulunkulu bakhe, yikho wenza i-efodi+ lezithombe zetherafimu*+ wasebeka indodana yakhe eyodwa ukuthi ibe ngumphristi.+ 6 Ngalezonsuku kwakungelankosi ko-Israyeli.+ Bonke abantu babezenzela ababekubona kulungile.+

7 Kwakulejaha elalingumLevi+ elalivela emulini yakoJuda.* Laselilesikhathi eside lihlala eBhethilehema+ koJuda. 8 Ijaha leli lasuka eBhethilehema koJuda layadinga indawo yokuhlala. Lafika endlini kaMikha eyayiko-Efrayimi elizweni lezintaba.+ 9 UMikha wathi kulo: “Uvela ngaphi?” Laphendula lathi: “Ngivela eBhethilehema koJuda futhi ngingumLevi. Ngiyedlula nje ngidinga indawo yokuhlala.” 10 UMikha wasesithi kulo: “Hlala lami ube ngumeluleki* lomphristi wami. Ngizakuholisa inhlamvu zesiliva ezilitshumi ngomnyaka, ngikunike lempahla kanye lokudla.” Ngakho umLevi wangena endlini kaMikha, 11 wavuma ukuhlala laye njalo uMikha wamphatha njengendodana yakhe. 12 Wabeka umLevi lo waba ngumphristi wakhe+ futhi wahlala laye emzini wakhe. 13 UMikha wathi: “Khathesi sengikwazi ukuthi uJehova uzangenzela okuhle ngoba sengilomphristi ongumLevi.”

18 Ngalezonsuku kwakungelankosi ko-Israyeli+ njalo isizwana sakoDani+ sasidinga indawo yokuhlala ngoba sasilokhu singakatholi ilifa laso phakathi kwezizwana zako-Israyeli.+

2 AbakoDani bathuma amadoda akibo amahlanu angamaqhawe ayesuka eZora le-Eshithawoli+ ukuthi ayehlola ilizwe. Bathi kuwo: “Hambani liyehlola ilizwe.” Amadoda la afika elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi, lapho okwakulomuzi kaMikha,+ alala khona. 3 Athi eseduze lendlu kaMikha ezwa ilizwi alaziyo elejaha elingumLevi, asesiya kulo afika athi: “Ngubani owakuletha lapha? Wenzani futhi ufunani endaweni le?” 4 Ijaha lelo lawatshela lokho uMikha ayelenzele khona laselisithi: “Ungiqhatshile ukuthi ngibe ngumphristi wakhe.”+ 5 Asesithi kulo: “Sicela usibuzele kuNkulunkulu ukuthi uhambo lwethu luzaphumelela yini.” 6 Ngakho ijaha leli elalingumphristi kaMikha lathi: “Hambani ngokuthula. UJehova ulani phakathi kohambo lwenu.”

7 Amadoda amahlanu akoDani aqhubeka ngohambo lwawo aze ayafika eLayishi.+ Abona ukuthi abantu bakuleyondawo babehlezi kuhle njengabaseSidoni, bengathembelanga kwezinye izizwe. Babelokuthula bengesabi lutho+ njalo kwakungelamuntu obahlaselayo elizweni labo. Babekhatshana lamaSidoni futhi bengadlelani labanye abantu.

8 Amadoda amahlanu athi esebuyele eZora le-Eshithawoli+ abafowabo bababuza bathi: “Lihambe njani?” 9 Aphendula athi: “Silibonile ilizwe labo, lihle. Yikho asihambeni siyebahlasela. Lingathikazi, kasilithatheni ilizwe. 10 Lingafika lapho lizathola abantu abaziphilela bechelesile.+ Ilizwe labo libanzi futhi lilayo yonke into elingayicabanga.+ UNkulunkulu uselinikele ezandleni zenu.”

11 Amadoda angu-600 esizwana sakoDani asuka eZora lase-Eshithawoli+ ehlomile. 12 Ahamba ayamisa inkamba yawo eduze kweKhiriyathi-jeyarimi+ koJuda. Yikho indawo leyo esentshonalanga kweKhiriyathi-jeyarimi ilokhu ibizwa ngokuthi yiMahane-dani*+ kuze kube lamuhla. 13 Asuka lapho aya elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi, afika emzini kaMikha.+

14 Amadoda amahlanu ayehambe ukuyahlola ilizwe laseLayishi+ athi kubafowabo: “Belikwazi yini ukuthi ezindlini lezi kule-efodi, lezithombe zetherafimu,* lesithombe esibaziweyo kanye lesithombe sensimbi?+ Bonani elingakwenza.” 15 Ngakho bama lapho basebesiya endlini yejaha elingumLevi,+ emzini kaMikha bafika balibingelela. 16 Batshiya amadoda akoDani+ angu-600 ayehlomile elinde egedini. 17 Amadoda amahlanu ayehambe ukuyahlola ilizwe+ wona angena esiyathatha isithombe esibaziweyo, le-efodi,+ lezithombe zetherafimu*+ kanye lesithombe sensimbi.+ (Umphristi+ lamadoda angu-600 ayehlomile babemi egedini.) 18 Amadoda amahlanu athi esengenile endlini kaMikha athatha isithombe esibaziweyo, le-efodi, lezithombe zetherafimu* kanye lesithombe sensimbi. Umphristi wasesithi kuwo: “Kanti lenzani?” 19 Bona bathi kuye: “Vala umlomo wakho uthule zwi usilandele uyekuba ngumeluleki* lomphristi wethu. Yikuphi okungcono phakathi kokuba ngumphristi womuntu oyedwa+ lokuba ngumphristi wesizwana sako-Israyeli esilemuli ezinengi?”+ 20 Lokhu kwamthokozisa umphristi wasethatha i-efodi, lezithombe zetherafimu* kanye lesithombe esibaziweyo+ wahamba labo.

21 Bafaka abantwana lezifuyo kanye lempahla eqakathekileyo phambi kwabo, basebeqhubeka ngohambo. 22 AbakoDani bathi sebehambe umangwana besuka emzini kaMikha, abantu ababehlala eduze komuzi wakhe baqoqana basebebalandela baze babafica. 23 Babamemeza, abakoDani basebetshibilika bathi kuMikha: “Kanti kutheni? Kungani liqoqene lasilandela?” 24 UMikha waphendula wathi: “Lithethe onkulunkulu bami laphinda lathatha lomphristi wami. Angisalanga lalutho ngitsho. Pho lingibuzelani ukuthi kutheni?” 25 AbakoDani basebesithi kuye: “Ungasitshingeli ngoba kulamadoda alolaka* angakuhlasela akubulale wena lemuli yakho.” 26 UMikha wathi enanzelela ukuthi babelamandla kulaye watshibilika wabuyela emzini wakhe, abakoDani baqhubeka ngohambo lwabo.

27 Bathe sebethethe umphristi lezinto ezazenziwe nguMikha basuka baya eLayishi+ lapho okwakulabantu ababezihlalele ngokuthula futhi bengesabi lutho.+ Bafika bababulala ngenkemba basebetshisa idolobho labo ngomlilo. 28 Kakho owayengabanceda ngoba idolobho labo lalikhatshana leSidoni futhi babengelabudlelwano lezinye izizwe, behlala khonale emagcekeni aseBhethi-rehobhi.+ AbakoDani balakha kutsha idolobho lelo basebehlala kulo, 29 balinika ibizo likaDani+ ukhokho wabo owayezalwa ngu-Israyeli,+ kodwa kuqala lalibizwa ngokuthi yiLayishi.+ 30 Ngemva kwalokho abakoDani babeka isithombe esibaziweyo+ edolobheni labo. UJonathani+ indodana kaGeshomu+ indodana kaMosi kanye lamadodana akhe baba ngabaphristi bakoDani kwaze kwafika isikhathi lapho izakhamizi zakuleyo ndawo ezathunjwa ngaso. 31 Isithombe esibaziweyo esasenziwe nguMikha saqhubeka silapho okwesikhathi sonke indlu kaNkulunkulu iseShilo.+

19 Ngalezonsuku kwakungelankosi ko-Israyeli.+ Omunye umLevi owayehlala endaweni ekhatshana elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi+ wathatha omunye umfazi eBhethilehema+ koJuda. 2 Kodwa owesifazana lo wayefeba futhi wasuka wabuyela emzini kayise eBhethilehema koJuda, wayahlala khona okwenyanga ezine. 3 Umkakhe wamlandela esiyamncenga ukuthi aphenduke. Wahamba lesisebenzi sakhe labobabhemi ababili. Wathi efika, owesifazana lo wamngenisa emzini kayise njalo uyisezala wathokoza kakhulu embona, 4 wasemcela ukuthi ahlale emzini wakhe okwamalanga amathathu. Babesidla benatha njalo wayelala khona.

5 Ngelanga lesine bavuka ekuseni kakhulu belungiselela uhambo kodwa uyisezala womLevi wathi: “Qala udle uthole amandla, beselihamba.” 6 Ngakho bahlala phansi badla banatha. Ngemva kwalokhu uyisezala wathi: “Ngicela ulale lapha uzikholisele.”* 7 UmLevi wathi esesuka uyisezala waqhubeka emncenga ukuthi angahambi, yikho walala khona futhi.

8 Ngelanga lesihlanu wathi evuka ekuseni eselungela ukuhamba, uyisezala wathi kuye: “Ngicela udle ukuze ube lamandla.” Yikho baqhubeka besidla, balibala kwaze kwaba ntambama. 9 UmLevi wathi esesuka lomkakhe lesisebenzi sakhe, uyisezala wathi kuye: “Khangela ilanga selizatshona. Ngicela lilale lapha lalamuhla ngoba sekuzaba mnyama. Lizavuka ekuseni kakhulu libuyele emzini wakho.”* 10 Kodwa wayengafuni ukulala lapho futhi, yikho wasuka wahamba waze wayafika eJebusi okutsho iJerusalema.+ Wayelomkakhe lesisebenzi sakhe kanye labobabhemi bakhe ababili.

11 Bathi sebebanga eJebusi ilanga laselisiyatshona. Ngakho isisebenzi somLevi sathi: “Sime yini edolobheni lamaJebusi silale khona?” 12 Kodwa inkosi yaso yathi: “Akumelanga sime edolobheni labantu besinye isizwe, abantu abangayisibo bako-Israyeli. Sizahamba size siyefika eGibheya.”+ 13 Yaqhubeka yathi esisebenzini sayo: “Asiphakamiseni inyawo sizame ukuyafika eGibheya loba eRama.+ Yikho lapho esizalala khona.” 14 Ngakho baqhubeka ngohambo lwabo, ilanga labatshonela sebeseduze leGibheya yakoBhenjamini.

15 Basebephambukela edolobheni leGibheya besiyadinga indawo yokulala. Bafika bahlala egcekeni ledolobho, kodwa kakho owababiza ukuthi bazolala endlini yakhe.+ 16 Ngemva kwesikhathi kwathutsha ixhegu livela emasimini. Lalidabuka elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi+ njalo lalihlala eGibheya ngalesosikhathi. Izakhamizi zakulelodolobho zona zazingezakoBhenjamini.+ 17 Ixhegu lathi livusa amehlo labona isihambi egcekeni ledolobho laselisithi kuso: “Uyangaphi njalo uvela ngaphi?” 18 UmLevi waphendula wathi: “Siphakathi kohambo, sivela eBhethilehema koJuda njalo siya khonale elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi, yikho lapho engihlala khona. BengiseBhethilehema koJuda+ kodwa khathesi sengibuyela endlini kaJehova.* Manje akulamuntu ongingenise emzini wakhe. 19 Silotshani lokudla okwaneleyo kwabobabhemi+ bethu lesinkwa+ lewayini. Mina lomkami kanye lesisebenzi sami kasisweli lutho.” 20 Kodwa ixhegu lathi: “Kwangathi ungaba lokuthula! Ngivumela ngikwenzele loba yini oyifunayo. Engikucelayo kuphela yikuthi ungalali egcekeni ledolobho.” 21 Ngakho lahamba laye emzini walo lafika lanika obabhemi bakhe ukudla. Ngemva kwalokho bageza inyawo badla banatha.

22 Bathi besazikholisela, amadoda axhwalileyo edolobho lelo ahanqa indlu ababekuyo. Ayelokhu etshaya isivalo esithi exhegwini: “Khiphela phandle indoda engene endlini yakho ngoba sifuna ukulala layo.”+ 23 Ixhegu laphuma phandle lathi kuwo: “Hatshi bafowethu lingenzi into embi kangaka. Umuntu lo ungivakatshele. Ngicela lingenzi ihlazo elinjalo. 24 Thathani indodakazi yami eyintombi egcweleyo lomfazi wendoda le. Ngicela ukubakhiphela phandle libambe bona, libenze elikufunayo.+ Lingenzi ihlazo elinjalo endodeni le.”

25 Kodwa amadoda la kawazange alalele, yikho indoda engumLevi yathatha umkayo+ yamkhiphela phandle. Bambamba iganyavu bamhlukuluza ubusuku bonke, kwathi ekuseni bamyekela wahamba. 26 Ekuseni kakhulu owesifazana lo wafika wawela emnyango wendlu lapho okwakulele khona inkosi yakhe, walala lapho kwaze kwakhanya. 27 Inkosi yakhe yavuka ekuseni yalungela ukuqhubeka ngohambo lwayo. Ithe ivula iminyango yabona umkayo elele emnyango, izandla zakhe zisesitubhini somnyango. 28 Yasisithi kuye: “Vuka sihambe.” Kodwa akubanga lempendulo. Ngakho yamphakamisa yambeka phezu kukababhemi, yangena indlela isiya emzini wayo.

29 Yafika emzini wayo yathatha umhedla wengqamu yaqumaquma umkayo waba yiziqa ezingu-12, yazithumela kuzo zonke izabelo zako-Israyeli. 30 Bonke abakubonayo lokhu bathi: “Okunje akukaze kwenzakale futhi asikaze sibone into enje selokhu abako-Israyeli baphuma eGibhithe kuze kube lamuhla. Cabangisisani ngakho* licebisane,+ beselisitshela ukuthi senzeni.”

20 Ngakho bonke abantu bako-Israyeli basuka emadolobheni abo kusukela koDani+ kusiya eBheri-shebha laseGiliyadi+ bayabuthana phambi kukaJehova eMizipha,+ baba njengomuntu munye. 2 Izinduna zabantu lezizwana zonke zako-Israyeli zama ezindaweni zazo ebandleni likaNkulunkulu. Kwakulamabutho angu-400 000 ayehlome ngezinkemba.+

3 AbakoBhenjamini bezwa ukuthi abako-Israyeli babebuthene eMizipha.

Amadoda ako-Israyeli abuzana athi: “Kanti into embi kangaka yenzakale njani?”+ 4 UmLevi,+ indoda yowesifazana owayebulewe waphendula wathi: “Ngafika eGibheya+ ngihamba lomkami, sasesingena khona sidinga indawo yokulala. 5 Kodwa ebusuku abantu beGibheya bafika bahanqa indlu esasikuyo basihlasela. Babefuna ukungibulala kodwa bacina bethethe umkami bambamba iganyavu, wacina efile.+ 6 Yikho ngathatha isidumbu sakhe ngasiqumaquma saba yiziqa ngasengizithumela kuzo zonke izabelo zako-Israyeli+ ngoba babenze ihlazo elikhulu ko-Israyeli. 7 Ngakho lonke lina bantu bako-Israyeli hlanganisani amakhanda licebisane+ ukuthi kwenziweni.”

8 Bonke abantu basukuma angathi ngumuntu oyedwa bathi: “Kakho phakathi kwethu ozabuyela etendeni lakhe loba endlini yakhe. 9 Sizakwenza inkatho+ sikhethe phakathi kwethu abazahlasela iGibheya. 10 Sizakhetha amadoda kuzo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli, kwangu-100 sizathatha angu-10, kwangu-1 000 sithathe angu-100, besekusithi kwangu-10 000 sithathe angu-1 000. Yiwo azadinga ukudla kwamabutho azahlasela iGibheya yakoBhenjamini ngoba likhulu ihlazo abalenze ko-Israyeli.” 11 Yikho wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli amanyana avumelana ukuyahlasela abakoBhenjamini.

12 Izizwana zako-Israyeli zasezithumela izithunywa ebantwini bakoBhenjamini zathi: “Kambe lihlazo bani leli elenziwe ngabanye benu? 13 Khathesi-ke aletheni lapha amadoda axhwalileyo aseGibheya+ siwabulale, kususwe ububi lobu obenzakale ko-Israyeli.” Kodwa abakoBhenjamini abazange babalalele abafowabo bako-Israyeli.+

14 AbakoBhenjamini basuka emadolobheni abo bayabuthana eGibheya ukuze balwe labantu bako-Israyeli. 15 Mhlalokho kwaqoqana amadoda akoBhenjamini angu-26 000 evela emadolobheni atshiyeneyo. Ayehlome ngezinkemba njalo kwakulamanye amadoda aseGibheya angu-700 ayengamaqhawe. 16 Lonke ibutho lelo lalilamadoda angu-700 ayesebenzisa isandla senxele futhi ayeyazi kuhle impi. Amadoda la ayephosa ilitshe ngesavutha angakhuthi ngitsho lonwele.

17 Abako-Israyeli baqoqa amadoda ayengamaqhawe angu-400 000 ayehlome ngezinkemba.+ 18 Basuka baya eBhetheli besiyabuza kuNkulunkulu.+ Bafika babuza bathi: “Ngubani phakathi kwethu ozaqala ukuyahlasela abakoBhenjamini?” UJehova wasesithi: “Kuzaqala abakoJuda.”

19 Abako-Israyeli bavuka ekuseni bayamisa inkamba yabo eduze kweGibheya.

20 Ngemva kwalokho baphuma besiyakulwa labakoBhenjamini eGibheya, basondela edolobheni lelo belungele ukuhlasela. 21 AbakoBhenjamini baphuma eGibheya balwa labako-Israyeli. Mhlalokho babulala amadoda ako-Israyeli angu-22 000. 22 Loba kunjalo amadoda ako-Israyeli aqunga isibindi abuyela empini, alungela ukulwa esendaweni ayekuyo ngelanga lokuqala. 23 Abako-Israyeli basuka bayakhala phambi kukaJehova kwaze kwaba ntambama njalo babuza uJehova bathi: “Sibuyele yini siyekulwa labafowethu bakoBhenjamini?”+ UJehova wathi: “Hambani liyekulwa labo.”

24 Ngakho ngelanga lesibili abako-Israyeli basondela bayahlasela abakoBhenjamini. 25 AbakoBhenjamini basebephuma eGibheya bayadibana labo empini. Mhlalokho babulala amadoda ako-Israyeli angu-18 000+ ayehlome ngezinkemba. 26 Wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli athi ekubona lokhu asuka aya eBhetheli, afika akhala phambi kukaJehova+ njalo ahlala khona ezile ukudla+ kwaze kwaba ntambama. Anikela kuJehova imihlatshelo yokutshiswa+ leminikelo yobudlelwano.+ 27 Ngemva kwalokho abako-Israyeli babuza kuJehova+ ngoba ngalezonsuku ibhokisi lesivumelwano likaNkulunkulu weqiniso lalilapho. 28 UFiniyasi+ indodana ka-Eliyazari indodana ka-Aroni nguye owayekhonza* phambi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano ngalezonsuku. Ngakho babuza bathi: “Sihambe yini siyekulwa labafowethu bakoBhenjamini kumbe siyekele?”+ UJehova wasephendula wathi: “Hambani ngoba kusasa ngizabanikela esandleni senu.” 29 Abako-Israyeli basebethuma amadoda ukuthi ayecathama+ eduze kweGibheya ayihanqe.

30 Basuka ngelanga lesithathu besiyakulwa labakoBhenjamini. Bafika bama ezindaweni zabo belungele ukuhlasela iGibheya njengakuqala.+ 31 AbakoBhenjamini bathi bekubona lokhu baphuma besiyakulwa lamabutho ako-Israyeli, wona abuyela emuva ebadonsela khatshana ledolobho.+ Bawahlasela amabutho ako-Israyeli njengenjayelo bawabulala emgwaqweni omkhulu owawusiya eBhetheli lalowo owawusiya eGibheya. Batshiya amadoda ako-Israyeli angaba ngu-30 ethe daca phansi efile.+ 32 Yikho abakoBhenjamini bathi: “Siyabanqoba njengakuqala.”+ Kodwa babengazi ukuthi abako-Israyeli babevele bathi: “Sizabuyela emuva sibadonse baze bafike emigwaqweni emikhulu khatshana ledolobho.” 33 Ngakho wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli asuka ezindaweni zawo aya eBhali-thamari elungele ukulwa, kwathi lawo ayecatheme eduze kweGibheya aphuma ezindaweni zawo ahlasela. 34 Ngakho amadoda ako-Israyeli angu-10 000 ayiqonda iGibheya ayihlasela, kwaliwa kwathunqa uthuli. Kodwa abakoBhenjamini babengazi ukuthi kukhulu okuzayo.

35 UJehova wabalwela abako-Israyeli futhi wabanqoba abakoBhenjamini.+ Ngalelolanga abako-Israyeli babulala amadoda akoBhenjamini angu-25 100 ayehlome ngezinkemba.+

36 AbakoBhenjamini babezitshela ukuthi bazabanqoba abako-Israyeli ngesikhathi bebabona bebuyela emuva.+ Kodwa babengazi ukuthi abako-Israyeli babethembe amabutho abo ayecatheme eduze kweGibheya.+ 37 Amabutho la aphuma masinyane ezindaweni zawo ayihlasela iGibheya, asabalala kulo lonke idolobho ebulala bonke abantu ababephakathi.

38 Amadoda ako-Israyeli ayevumelene ukuthi labo ababecatheme eduze kweGibheya babezayithungela ngomlilo ukuze abanye babo babone ngentuthu ukuthi sebelithethe idolobho.

39 Abako-Israyeli bathi sebebaleka, abakoBhenjamini babulala amadoda angaba ngu-30+ besithi: “Sesibabhuqa njengakuqala.”+ 40 Kodwa idolobho lathi selithungelwe ngomlilo amadoda akoBhenjamini atshibilika abona intuthu iphakama, idolobho lonke selisitsha. 41 Amadoda akoBhenjamini ahle aphela amandla ngoba ayesebona ukuthi asenqotshiwe, abako-Israyeli batshibilika bawahlasela. 42 Abaleka eqonda enkangala, abako-Israyeli bawaxotshanisa. Kwasekuphuma lamanye amadoda ayehlala emadolobheni akulowomango ahlasela abakoBhenjamini. 43 Abavimbezela abakoBhenjamini abaxotshanisa engabaniki ithuba lokuphumula. Abulala abanengi babo phambi kweGibheya ngasempumalanga. 44 Kwafa amadoda akoBhenjamini angu-18 000 njalo wonke ayengamaqhawe alamandla.+

45 AbakoBhenjamini batshibilika babaleka beqonda enkangala besiyacatsha edwaleni elikhulu laseRimoni.+ Kodwa abanye babo abangu-5 000 babulawa ngabako-Israyeli emigwaqweni emikhulu. Amadoda ako-Israyeli aqhubeka ebaxotshanisa baze bayafika eGidomu, abulala abanye futhi abangu-2 000. 46 Ngalelolanga kwafa amaqhawe akoBhenjamini angu-25 000 njalo wonke ayehlome ngezinkemba.+ 47 Kodwa angu-600 abaleka aqonda enkangala ayacatsha edwaleni elikhulu laseRimoni, ahlala khona okwenyanga ezine.

48 Amadoda ako-Israyeli abuyela emuva abulala bonke ababesemadolobheni akoBhenjamini, engatshiyi muntu loba isifuyo. Ayethungela ngomlilo wonke amadolobho ayefika kuwo.

21 Abako-Israyeli babefungile beseMizipha+ bathi: “Kakho phakathi kwethu ozakwendisela indodakazi yakhe endodeni yakoBhenjamini.”+ 2 Ngakho baya eBhetheli+ bafika bahlala phambi kukaNkulunkulu weqiniso kwaze kwaba ntambama, bekhala kabuhlungu 3 besithi: “Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, kungani lokhu kwenzakele? Kungani esinye isizwana singekho lamuhla ko-Israyeli?” 4 Ngelanga elilandelayo abantu bavuka kusesele bakha i-alithare ukuze banikele iminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yobudlelwano.+

5 Abantu bako-Israyeli babenze isifungo esiqakathekileyo sokuthi loba ngubani ongasoze abuye phambi kukaJehova eMizipha kwakumele abulawe, yikho bathi: “Yisiphi isizwana sako-Israyeli esingazange sibuye sizobuthana labanye phambi kukaJehova?” 6 Abantu bako-Israyeli bezwa ubuhlungu ngenxa yalokho okwakwenzakale kuBhenjamini umfowabo. Ngakho bathi: “Lamuhla kuqunywe isizwana esisodwa ko-Israyeli. 7 Manje sizakwenzani ukuze labo abaseleyo bathole abafazi ngoba thina sifunge ngoJehova+ ukuthi kasisoze sibendisele amadodakazi ethu?”+

8 Babuzana bathi: “Yisiphi isizwana sako-Israyeli esingabuyanga phambi kukaJehova eMizipha?”+ Basebenanzelela ukuthi kwakungelamuntu weJabheshi-giliyadi owayebuye ezihonqweni lapho abantu ababebuthene khona. 9 Lakanye kwathi sekubalwa abantu kwatholakala ukuthi kwakungela loyedwa owaseJabheshi-giliyadi owayebuyile. 10 Ngakho abako-Israyeli ababebuthene lapho bathuma amadoda angamaqhawe angu-12 000 bawatshela bathi: “Hambani liyebulala bonke abantu baseJabheshi-giliyadi ngenkemba, libulale ngitsho labafazi labantwana.+ 11 Nanku okumele likwenze: Lifike libulale bonke abesilisa labo bonke abesifazana abangasizo zintombi ezigcweleyo.” 12 Phakathi kwabantu ababehlala eJabheshi-giliyadi bathola izintombi ezingu-400 ezazingakaze zilale lendoda. Ngakho bazithatha bahamba lazo ezihonqweni ezaziseShilo+ elizweni laseKhenani.

13 Abako-Israyeli ababebuthene bathumela ilizwi emadodeni akoBhenjamini ayesedwaleni elikhulu laseRimoni+ basebesenza lawo ukuthula. 14 Yikho abakoBhenjamini baphenduka, abako-Israyeli basebebanika izintombi ezazisele ngesikhathi kubulawa abesifazana baseJabheshi-giliyadi,+ kodwa kazibenelanga. 15 Abantu bako-Israyeli bezwa ubuhlungu ngenxa yalokho okwakwenzakele kwabakoBhenjamini+ ngoba uJehova wayesebehlukanise lezinye izizwana zako-Israyeli. 16 Abadala bako-Israyeli basebesithi: “Manje sizakwenzani ukuze sitholele amadoda la abafazi ngoba bonke abesifazana bakoBhenjamini babulawa?” 17 Abanye baphendula bathi: “Abaseleyo bakoBhenjamini kumele babuyele endaweni elilifa labo ukuze kungabi lesizwana esitshabalalayo ko-Israyeli. 18 Kodwa thina asingeke sibendisele amadodakazi ethu ngoba abantu bako-Israyeli bafunga bathi: ‘Uqalekisiwe umuntu ozakwendisela indodakazi yakhe kwabakoBhenjamini.’”+

19 Basebesithi: “Minyaka yonke kuba lomkhosi kaJehova edolobheni leShilo+ elisenyakatho kweBhetheli ngasempumalanga komgwaqo omkhulu osuka eBhetheli usiya eShekhemu ngaseningizimu kweLebhona.” 20 Ngakho batshela amadoda akoBhenjamini bathi: “Hambani liyecathama emasimini amagilebisi. 21 Nxa lingabona izintombi zaseShilo* ziphuma zizogida, lani lihle liphume lapho elicatshe khona, ngamunye wenu azibambele umfazi ezintombini zaseShilo, beselibuyela elizweni lakoBhenjamini. 22 Nxa oyise labafowabo bengeza kithi bezosibeka icala sizathi kubo, ‘Sicela libe lomusa kithi ngenxa yabantu laba ngoba abesifazana esibathumbe empini ukuze babe ngomkabo kabazange benele+ njalo lani belizabekwa icala nxa belingabanika amadodakazi enu ukuthi abe ngomkabo.’”+

23 Amadoda akoBhenjamini enza lokho ayekutsheliwe, azibambela abesifazana ababegida ahamba labo. Abuyela endaweni eyayililifa lawo, afika akha kutsha amadolobho awo+ asehlala kuwo.

24 Abako-Israyeli bachitheka ngamunye wabo wabuyela esizwaneni sakibo lasemulini yakhe. Bonke basuka baya ezindaweni ababezabelwe ukuthi zibe lilifa labo.

25 Ngalezonsuku kwakungelankosi ko-Israyeli.+ Bonke abantu babezenzela ababekubona kulungile.