EYESIBILI EKASAMUYELI

1 USawuli wathi esifa uDavida wayesebuyele eZikhilagi+ evela nqoba ama-Amaleki. UDavida wahlala eZikhilagi okwamalanga amabili. 2 Ngelanga lesithathu kwafika ijaha livela enkambeni kaSawuli. Izigqoko zalo zazidabukile futhi ligcwele inhlabathi ekhanda. Lathi lifika kuDavida lazilahla phansi lalala emhlabathini, ubuso balo bukhangele phansi.

3 UDavida walibuza wathi: “Uvela ngaphi?” Lona lathi: “Ngibaleke enkambeni yako-Israyeli.” 4 UDavida waselibuza wathi: “Kuhambe njani? Ngicela ungitshele.” Laselisithi: “Abantu babalekile empini futhi abanengi bafile. USawuli lendodana yakhe uJonathani labo bafile.”+ 5 UDavida wasebuza ijaha lelo elalibuye lombiko lo wathi: “Ukwazi njani ukuthi uSawuli lendodana yakhe uJonathani bafile?” 6 Ijaha lelo laphendula lathi: “Ngithe ngisentabeni iGilibhowa+ ngabona uSawuli ebambelele emkhontweni wakhe futhi amabutho abegade amabhiza lezinqola abesezafika kuye.+ 7 Uthe ethalaza wangibona wasengibiza, mina ngathi, ‘Ngilapha!’ 8 Wangibuza wathi, ‘Ungubani?’ Ngaphendula ngathi, ‘Ngingum-Amaleki.’+ 9 Wasesithi kimi, ‘Ngicela usondele lapha ungibulale ngoba ngizwa ubuhlungu obukhulu lanxa ngisaphila.’ 10 Ngasengisondela eduze kwakhe ngambulala+ ngoba bengibona ukuthi kasoze aphile njengoba ubesewele phansi elimele. Ngithethe umqhele obusekhanda lakhe lesongo ebelisengalweni yakhe ngabuya lakho lapha enkosini yami.”

11 UDavida wathi ekuzwa lokho wabamba izigqoko zakhe wazidabula futhi wonke amadoda ayelaye lawo enza njalo. 12 Bakhala, balila futhi bazila+ ukudla kwaze kwaba ntambama ngenxa kaSawuli lendodana yakhe uJonathani labantu bakaJehova, abantu bako-Israyeli+ ababebulewe ngenkemba.

13 UDavida wabuza ijaha elalibuye lombiko wathi: “Ungowangaphi?” Lona laphendula lathi: “Ngiyindodana yomuntu wezizweni, um-Amaleki.” 14 UDavida wathi: “Kungani ungesabanga ukuphakamisa isandla sakho ukuthi ubulale ogcotshiweyo kaJehova?”+ 15 Wasebiza elinye ijaha wathi kulo: “Sondela umbulale.” Ngakho ijaha lelo lamgwaza lambulala.+ 16 UDavida wasesithi: “Wena ngokwakho uzibulalisile* ngoba ukhulume ngowakho umlomo wathi, ‘Yimi engibulele+ ogcotshiweyo kaJehova.’”

17 UDavida wahlabela ingoma elilela uSawuli lendodana yakhe uJonathani,+ 18 njalo wathi abantu bakoJuda kumele bayifundiswe ingoma le ethi, “Idandili,”* ebhalwe ebhukwini likaJashari.+ Wathi:

19 “Udumo lwakho we Israyeli, lusele ezindaweni zakho eziphakemeyo.+

Aphelile amaqhawe!

Bebezingqwele!+

2 Ngemva kwalokho uDavida wabuza uJehova+ wathi: “Ngihambe yini kwelinye lamadolobho akoJuda?” UJehova wathi kuye: “Hamba.” UDavida wasebuza wathi: “Ngiye kuliphi idolobho?” UNkulunkulu wathi: “EHebroni.”+ 2 Ngakho uDavida wasuka waya khona elamakhosikazi akhe amabili, u-Ahinowami+ waseJeziriyeli lo-Abhigeli+ umfelokazi kaNabhali waseKhameli. 3 UDavida wahamba lamadoda ayelaye+ kanye lezimuli zawo. Bafika bahlala emadolobheni aseduze leHebroni. 4 Amadoda akoJuda abuya afika agcoba uDavida waba yinkosi yakoJuda.+

Atshela uDavida athi: “Amadoda aseJabheshi-giliyadi yiwo angcwaba uSawuli.” 5 Ngakho uDavida wathuma izithunywa emadodeni aseJabheshi-giliyadi wathi kuwo: “UJehova kalibusise ngoba laba lothando oluqotho kuSawuli inkosi yenu lamngcwaba.+ 6 Kwangathi uJehova angaba lothando oluqotho futhi athembeke kini. Lami ngizaba lomusa kini ngenxa yalokho elikwenzileyo.+ 7 Khathesi qinani libe ngamadoda alesibindi ngoba inkosi yenu uSawuli isifile futhi abantu bakoJuda sebengigcobe ukuthi ngibe yinkosi yabo.”

8 U-Abhineri+ indodana kaNeri, induna yebutho likaSawuli, wayethethe u-Ishi-bhoshethi+ indodana kaSawuli wachapha laye baya eMahanayimi,+ 9 wafika wambeka ukuthi abe yinkosi, abuse iGiliyadi,+ lama-Ashuri, leJeziriyeli,+ labako-Efrayimi,+ labakoBhenjamini, lalo lonke nje ilizwe lako-Israyeli. 10 U-Ishi-bhoshethi indodana kaSawuli wayeleminyaka engu-40 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi yabako-Israyeli futhi wabusa okweminyaka emibili. Kodwa abantu bakoJuda babesekela uDavida.+ 11 UDavida wabusa abantu bakoJuda eHebroni okweminyaka eyisikhombisa lenyanga eziyisithupha.+

12 Ngemva kwesikhathi u-Abhineri indodana kaNeri wasuka eMahanayimi+ lezinceku zika-Ishi-bhoshethi indodana kaSawuli baya eGibhiyoni.+ 13 UJowabi+ indodana kaZeruya+ laye wasuka lezinceku zikaDavida bayahlangana labo echibini leGibhiyoni. Elinye iqembu lahlala kwelinye icele lechibi, elinye lahlala kwelinye icele. 14 Ekucineni u-Abhineri wathi kuJowabi: “Amajaha kawasukume alwe phambi kwethu.” UJowabi wathi: “Kawasukume.” 15 Yikho amajaha akhethwayo asukuma achapha. Kwakulangu-12 awakoBhenjamini ayekhethwe eqenjini lika-Ishi-bhoshethi indodana kaSawuli, langu-12 ayekhethwe ezincekwini zikaDavida. 16 Ijaha ngalinye labamba ngekhanda lowo elalisilwa laye, lamgwaza ngenkemba emhlubulweni, wonke adilikela phansi ngasikhathi sinye afa. Yikho indawo leyo eseGibhiyoni yabizwa ngokuthi yiHelikhathi-hazurimi.

17 Impi eyavuka lapho ngalelolanga yayisesabeka. U-Abhineri lamadoda ako-Israyeli bacina besehlulwa zinceku zikaDavida. 18 Amadodana amathathu kaZeruya+ lawo ayekhona. KwakunguJowabi+ lo-Abhishayi+ lo-Asaheli.+ U-Asaheli wayelejubane angathi yimpala igijima endaweni eligceke. 19 Waxotshanisa u-Abhineri, kazange aphambukele kwesokudla kumbe kwesenxele. 20 U-Abhineri wathalaza emuva wabuza wathi, “Kanti nguwe Asaheli?” Yena waphendula wathi, “Ye yimi.” 21 U-Abhineri wasesithi kuye: “Phambukela kwesokudla kumbe kwesenxele ubambe ijaha elilodwa uthathe loba yini elilayo.” Kodwa u-Asaheli waqhubeka emxotshanisa. 22 Yikho u-Abhineri waphinda wathi ku-Asaheli: “Yekela ukungixotshanisa ngizaze ngikubulale. Ngingakubulala ngizakhangelana njani lomfowenu uJowabi?” 23 Kodwa u-Asaheli wayelokhu engafuni ukuma, yikho u-Abhineri wacina emgwaza ngesidindi somkhonto esiswini,+ umkhonto wayathutsha emhlane, u-Asaheli wawela khonapho wahle wafa. Wonke umuntu wayesithi angafika lapho u-Asaheli ayefele khona ame athi khwimilili.

24 UJowabi lo-Abhishayi baqhubeka bexotshanisa u-Abhineri. Ilanga lathi selisiyatshona bafika eqaqeni lwase-Ama olukhangele eGiya, endleleni eya enkangala yaseGibhiyoni. 25 AbakoBhenjamini babuthana ngemva kuka-Abhineri baba liqembu linye, bayakuma phezu kolunye uqaqa. 26 U-Abhineri wasememeza uJowabi wathi: “Abantu bazaqedana ngenkemba kuze kube nini? Kanti awukwazi yini ukuthi lokhu kuzaphetha ngezinyembezi zodwa? Kuzaze kube nini ulokhu ungatsheli abantu ukuthi bayekele ukuxotshanisa abafowabo?” 27 UJowabi wathi esizwa lokho wathi: “Ngifunga ngoNkulunkulu ophilayo, uNkulunkulu weqiniso, aluba awutshongo njalo abantu bebezaze bame ekuseni ukuxotshanisa abafowabo.” 28 UJowabi wasetshaya uphondo, amadoda ayelaye ayekela ukuxotshanisa abako-Israyeli, impi yaphela.

29 U-Abhineri lamadoda ayelaye bahamba ubusuku bonke badabula i-Arabha+ bayachapha umfula uJodani. Baqhubeka behamba ngesigodi,* baze bayafika eMahanayimi.+ 30 UJowabi wathi esevela xotshanisa u-Abhineri wabuthanisa bonke abantu ndawonye. Ezincekwini zikaDavida kwafa u-Asaheli labanye abangu-19. 31 Kodwa izinceku zikaDavida zazibanqobile abakoBhenjamini lamadoda ayelo-Abhineri, zabulala abangu-360 phakathi kwabo. 32 Zathatha u-Asaheli+ zayamngcwaba ethuneni likayise eBhethilehema.+ Ngemva kwalokho uJowabi lamadoda ayelaye bahamba ubusuku bonke bayafika eHebroni+ kusisa.

3 Impi eyayiphakathi kwabendlu kaSawuli labendlu kaDavida yaqhubeka okwesikhathi eside futhi uDavida wayelokhu esiba lamandla,+ kodwa abendlu kaSawuli babelokhu bephela amandla.+

2 Ngesikhathi leso uDavida eseHebroni+ waba lamadodana. Izibulo lakhe kwakungu-Amnoni+ ayemzalelwe ngu-Ahinowami+ waseJeziriyeli. 3 Indodana yakhe yesibili kwakunguKhileyabi ayemzalelwe ngu-Abhigeli+ umfelokazi kaNabhali waseKhameli. Eyesithathu kwakungu-Abhisalomu+ ayemzalelwe nguMahakha indodakazi kaThalimayi+ inkosi yaseGeshuri. 4 Eyesine kwakungu-Adonija+ indodana kaHagithi, eyesihlanu kunguShefathiya indodana ka-Abhithali. 5 Eyesithupha kwakungu-Ithereyamu ayemzalelwe ngumkakhe u-Egila. La yiwo amadodana uDavida aba lawo ngesikhathi eseHebroni.

6 Ngesikhathi impi eyayiphakathi kwabendlu kaSawuli labendlu kaDavida iqhubeka, u-Abhineri+ wayelokhu eqinisa isikhundla sakhe endlini kaSawuli. 7 USawuli wayelomunye umfazi okwakuthiwa nguRizipha+ owayeyindodakazi ka-Ayiya. Ngemva kwesikhathi u-Ishi-bhoshethi+ wathi ku-Abhineri: “Kungani ulale lomkababa?”+ 8 U-Abhineri wazonda wabila esizwa amazwi ka-Ishi-bhoshethi, wathi: “Ngilikhanda lenja yakoJuda yini mina? Kuze kube lamuhla bengilokhu ngilothando oluqotho kwabendlu kayihlo uSawuli lakubafowabo labangane bakhe futhi wena angikunikelanga esandleni sikaDavida, kodwa lamuhla nguwe osungibeka icala ngenxa yowesifazana nje kuphela. 9 UNkulunkulu kangijezise kakhulu nxa ngingasenzelanga uDavida lokho uJehova afunga kuye+ ukuthi uzamenzela khona, 10 ukuthi uzasusa umbuso endlini kaSawuli aqinise isihlalo sobukhosi sikaDavida, abesebusa abantu bako-Israyeli labakoJuda kusukela koDani kuze kuyefika eBheri-shebha.”+ 11 U-Ishi-bhoshethi wathula zwi wangamphenduli u-Abhineri ngoba wayemesaba.+

12 U-Abhineri wahle wathuma izithunywa kuDavida wathi: “Kanti ilizwe lonke leli ngelikabani? Yenza isivumelwano lami, mina ngizakwenza konke okusemandleni ami ukuze bonke abantu bako-Israyeli bakusekele.”+ 13 UDavida wasephendula wathi: “Kulungile, ngizakwenza isivumelwano lawe. Into nje engiyicela kuwe yikuthi ungazami ukubona ubuso bami uze ulethe kimi uMikhali+ indodakazi kaSawuli. Ubuye laye nxa usuzongibona.” 14 Ngemva kwalokho uDavida wathuma izithunywa ku-Ishi-bhoshethi+ indodana kaSawuli wathi zifike zithi: “Nginika umkami uMikhali, engamlobola ngamajwabu ezitho zamaFilisti+ angu-100.” 15 Ngakho u-Ishi-bhoshethi wathi uMikhali kayethathwa kumkakhe uPhalithiyeli+ indodana kaLayishi. 16 Kodwa umkakhe wayelokhu emlandela ehamba ekhala baze bayafika eBhahurimi.+ U-Abhineri wasesithi kuye: “Buyela!” Ngakho wabuyela emuva.

17 Kusenjalo u-Abhineri wathumela ilizwi ebadaleni bako-Israyeli wathi: “Sekulesikhathi lifuna ukuthi uDavida abe yinkosi yenu. 18 Khathesi-ke yenzani okumele likwenze ngoba uJehova wathi kuDavida: ‘Ngizasindisa abantu bami bako-Israyeli esandleni samaFilisti lasezitheni zabo zonke ngisebenzisa inceku yami uDavida.’”+ 19 U-Abhineri wasekhuluma labantu bakoBhenjamini.+ Waphinda waya kuDavida eHebroni wayakhuluma laye ensitha ukuze amtshele lokho abako-Israyeli labo bonke abakoBhenjamini ababekuvumelene.

20 U-Abhineri wafika kuDavida eHebroni elamadoda angu-20 futhi uDavida wabenzela idili. 21 U-Abhineri wasesithi kuDavida: “Nkosi yami, ngicela ungivumele ngihambe ngiyebuthanisa bonke abako-Israyeli ukuze benze isivumelwano lawe. Lapho-ke uzabusa phezu kwakho konke okufunayo.” Yikho uDavida wamvumela u-Abhineri ukuthi ahambe ngokuthula.

22 Khonokho nje uJowabi lezinceku zikaDavida bafika bevela hlasela futhi babethumbe impahla enengi kakhulu. U-Abhineri wayesesukile kuDavida eHebroni ngoba uDavida wayemvumele ukuthi ahambe ngokuthula. 23 UJowabi+ wathi efika lebutho lonke elalihambe laye watshelwa ukuthi u-Abhineri+ indodana kaNeri+ wayefike enkosini lokuthi inkosi yayimvumele ukuthi ahambe ngokuthula. 24 Ngakho uJowabi waya enkosini wafika wathi: “Kuyini okwenzileyo? U-Abhineri ufikile kuwe. Kungani umyekele wahamba ngokuthula? Khangela khathesi usehle waphunyuka. 25 Uyamazi u-Abhineri indodana kaNeri. Ubelande ukuzokuqila nje lokuzokuhlolisisa ukuze akwazi konke okwenzayo lendawo oya kuzo.”

26 Ngakho uJowabi wasuka kuDavida wasethuma izithunywa ukuthi zilandele u-Abhineri. Zamphendukisa esesemgodini waseSira, kodwa uDavida wayengazi lutho ngakho. 27 U-Abhineri wathi efika eHebroni,+ uJowabi wamthatha waya laye egedini esithi bayekhuluma bebodwa. Kodwa bathi befika lapho uJowabi wagwaza u-Abhineri esiswini wambulala+ ngenxa yokuthi wayebulele umfowabo u-Asaheli.+ 28 UDavida wathi ekuzwa lokho wathi: “Mina lombuso wami simsulwa phambi kukaJehova kuze kube nini lanini. Asilacala ngokubulawa+ kuka-Abhineri indodana kaNeri. 29 Icala leli kaliphendukele ekhanda likaJowabi+ lakuyo yonke indlu kayise. Kwangathi endlini kaJowabi kungahlala kulendoda ephuma ubomvu ezithweni zayo zensitha+ loba elobulephero+ kumbe esebenza esigodweni sokuphotha uhali.* Akungasweleki muntu ozabulawa yinkemba kumbe oswela ukudla.”+ 30 UJowabi lomfowabo u-Abhishayi+ babulala u-Abhineri+ ngenxa yokuthi wayebulele umfowabo u-Asaheli empini+ eGibhiyoni.

31 UDavida wathi kuJowabi lakubo bonke abantu ababelaye: “Dabulani izigqoko zenu ligqoke izembatho zamasaka likhalele u-Abhineri.” INkosi uDavida yona yayilandela labo ababethwele uhlaka* olwalulesidumbu. 32 U-Abhineri bamngcwaba eHebroni. Inkosi yakhala yasiqhinqa isililo ethuneni lika-Abhineri futhi labantu bonke bakhala. 33 Yahlabela ingoma yokulila ikhalela u-Abhineri isithi:

“Kambe u-Abhineri usengaze afe njengomuntu ongelangqondo?

Ubulawe angathi ngumuntu ebulawa yizigebenga.”+

Abantu bonke bathi besizwa lokho bakhala futhi.

35 Ngemva kwesikhathi ilanga lingakatshoni, bonke beza kuDavida bezomnika isinkwa sokumduduza, kodwa uDavida wafunga wathi: “UNkulunkulu kangijezise kakhulu nxa ngingadla isinkwa kumbe okunye+ nje ilanga lingakatshoni!” 36 Abantu bonke bakunanzelela lokho futhi bathokoza. Kwabathokozisa sibili njengakho konke okwakusenziwa yinkosi. 37 Ngakho ngalelolanga bonke abantu bakaDavida labo bonke abako-Israyeli bakwazi ukuthi inkosi ayisiyo eyayithe u-Abhineri indodana kaNeri abulawe.+ 38 Inkosi yasisithi ezincekwini zayo: “Alikwazi yini ukuthi lamuhla kufe umkhokheli lomuntu oqakathekileyo ko-Israyeli?+ 39 Lanxa ngigcotshwe ukuthi ngibe yinkosi,+ lamuhla ngiphele amandla. Amadodana kaZeruya+ alesihluku esibi.+ Kwangathi uJehova angaphindisela emuntwini owenza okubi, aphindisele ngalokho okuhambelana lezenzo zakhe ezimbi.”+

4 Indodana kaSawuli u-Ishi-bhoshethi+ yathi isizwa ukuthi u-Abhineri usefile eHebroni,+ yaphela amandla njalo bonke abako-Israyeli bakhathazeka kakhulu. 2 Kwakulamadoda amabili ayekhokhela amaqembu amabutho endodana kaSawuli. Enye kwakuthiwa nguBhahana, enye kuthiwa nguRekhabi. Ayengamadodana kaRimoni waseBheherothi owesizwana sakoBhenjamini. (IBheherothi+ layo yayibalelwa koBhenjamini. 3 Abantu baseBheherothi babaleka bayahlala eGithayimi+ futhi balokhu behlala khona kuze kube lamuhla bengabantu bezizweni.)

4 Indodana kaSawuli uJonathani+ yayilendodana okuthiwa nguMefibhoshethi+ eyayigogekile.+ Ngesikhathi kufika umbiko wokufa kukaSawuli loJonathani uvela eJeziriyeli,+ uMefibhoshethi wayeleminyaka emihlanu. Umama owayemnakekela wamthatha wabaleka ephaphatheka, wamwisa wahle waba yisigoga.

5 Amadodana kaRimoni waseBheherothi, uRekhabi loBhahana, baya endlini ka-Ishi-bhoshethi emini ilanga litshisa, ngesikhathi ezilalele ephumula. 6 URekhabi lomfowabo uBhahana+ bangena endlini angathi bafuna ukuthatha ingqoloyi, bafika bamgwaza esiswini basuka babaleka. 7 Babengene endlini yena elele embhedeni endlini yakhe yokulala. Bamgwaza bambulala, basebemquma ikhanda balithatha, basuka bahamba ubusuku bonke ngendlela eya e-Arabha. 8 Ikhanda lika-Ishi-bhoshethi+ balisa kuDavida eHebroni, bathi enkosini: “Nanti ikhanda lika-Ishi-bhoshethi indodana kaSawuli isitha sakho+ esasifuna ukukubulala.+ Lamuhla uJehova uphindiselele inkosi yethu kuSawuli lakubantwabakhe.”

9 Kodwa uDavida waphendula uRekhabi lomfowabo uBhahana, amadodana kaRimoni waseBheherothi wathi: “Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo owangikhipha kubo bonke ubunzima,+ 10 omunye wathi efika ezongitshela ukuthi uSawuli ufile,+ ecabanga ukuthi ungibikela indaba ezinhle, ngambamba ngambulala+ eZikhilagi. Lo yiwo umvuzo engamnika wona! 11 Pho kuthiwani nxa abantu ababi bebulele umuntu olungileyo elele embhedeni endlini yakhe? Kambe ngingayekela ukulijezisa lina lilecala lokubulala+ umuntu? Ngizalibulala sibili.” 12 UDavida watshela amajaha ayelaye ukuthi abulale amadoda la.+ Awaquma izandla lenyawo awalengisa+ eceleni kwechibi eHebroni, asethatha ikhanda lika-Ishi-bhoshethi ayalingcwaba engcwabeni lika-Abhineri eHebroni.

5 Ngemva kwesikhathi zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli zabuya kuDavida eHebroni+ zathi kuye: “Thina siyizihlobo zakho.*+ 2 Ngesikhathi sibuswa nguSawuli, nguwe owawukhokhela abako-Israyeli nxa besiya empini+ futhi uJehova wathi kuwe: ‘Uzakwelusa abantu bami bako-Israyeli njalo uzakuba ngumkhokheli wabo.’”+ 3 Ngakho bonke abadala bako-Israyeli baya enkosini uDavida eHebroni, yasisenza labo isivumelwano+ eHebroni phambi kukaJehova. Ngemva kwalokho bagcoba uDavida waba yinkosi yabako-Israyeli.+

4 UDavida wayeleminyaka engu-30 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi njalo wabusa okweminyaka engu-40.+ 5 Wabusa abantu bakoJuda eHebroni okweminyaka eyisikhombisa lezinyanga eziyisithupha, kwathi eJerusalema+ wabusa abako-Israyeli labakoJuda okweminyaka engu-33. 6 Inkosi lamabutho ayo baya eJerusalema besiyahlasela amaJebusi+ ayehlala elizweni. AmaJebusi eyisa uDavida athi: “Awusoze ungene lapha! Leziphofu lezigoga zingakwehlula!” Ayecabanga ukuthi uDavida wayengeke enelise ukungena+ edolobheni lawo. 7 Kodwa uDavida wayithumba inqaba yeZiyoni. Khathesi isibizwa ngokuthi lidolobho likaDavida.+ 8 Ngalelolanga uDavida wathi: “Labo abayahlasela amaJebusi kumele bangene edolobheni ngomgelo wamanzi, babulale ‘izigoga leziphofu’ ezizondwa nguDavida!” Yikho kuthiwa: “Iziphofu lezigoga azisoze zafa zangena endlini le.” 9 Ngemva kwalokho uDavida waqalisa ukuhlala enqabeni yeZiyoni futhi yabizwa* ngokuthi lidolobho likaDavida. Waqalisa ukwakha kuwo wonke amacele, kusukela eqaqeni*+ kusiya phakathi kwedolobho.+ 10 UDavida waqhubeka esiba lamandla+ futhi uJehova uNkulunkulu wamabutho wayelaye.+

11 UHiramu+ inkosi yeThire wathuma izithunywa kuDavida, wathumela lezigodo zomsedari,+ lababazi, labakwazi ukwakha ngamatshe. Baqalisa-ke ukwakha indlu kaDavida.*+ 12 UDavida wayekwazi ukuthi uJehova wayesebumise baqina ubukhosi bakhe ko-Israyeli+ lokuthi umbuso wakhe wayewuphakamisile+ ngenxa yabantu bakhe bako-Israyeli.+

13 UDavida wathi esesukile eHebroni esehlala eJerusalema waba lamanye amakhosikazi labafazi beceleni,+ wazala amanye amadodana lamadodakazi.+ 14 Nanka amabizo amadodana awazala esehlala eJerusalema: UShamuwa, loShobhabhi, loNathani,+ loSolomoni,+ 15 lo-Ibhari, lo-Elishuwa, loNefegi, loJafiya, 16 lo-Elishama, lo-Eliyada lo-Elifelethi.

17 AmaFilisti athi esizwa ukuthi uDavida usegcotshwe ukuthi abe yinkosi yako-Israyeli,+ aphuma wonke esiyamdinga.+ UDavida wathi ekuzwa lokho waya enqabeni.+ 18 AmaFilisti afika agcwala esigodini seRefayimi.+ 19 UDavida wasebuza uJehova+ wathi: “Ngihambe yini ngiyekulwa lamaFilisti? Uzawanikela yini esandleni sami?” UJehova wathi kuDavida: “Hamba ngoba amaFilisti ngizawanikela esandleni sakho.”+ 20 Ngakho uDavida wasuka waya eBhali-pherazimi wafika wawabulala amaFilisti wasesithi: “UJehova uhambe phambi kwami wazehlula izitha zami,+ kwaba angathi ngamanzi ediliza umduli.” Yikho wabiza indawo leyo ngokuthi yiBhali-pherazimi.*+ 21 AmaFilisti alahlela izithombe zawo khonapho, uDavida lamabutho akhe bazithatha bahamba lazo.

22 Ngemva kwesikhathi amaFilisti aphinda abuya agcwala esigodini seRefayimi.+ 23 UDavida wabuza uJehova, yena wamphendula wathi: “Ungathutshi phambi kwawo kodwa bhoda uye ngemva kwawo, ubusuwahlasela phambi kwezihlahla zamabhakha. 24 Nxa ungezwa izisinde ezingathi ngezamabutho ahambayo zizwakalela phezu kwezihlahla zamabhakha, uhle uwahlasele amaFilisti ngoba uJehova uyabe ehamba phambi kwakho ewabulala.” 25 UDavida wenza khona kanye ayekutshelwe nguJehova futhi wawabulala amaFilisti+ kusukela eGebha+ waze wayafika eGezeri.+

6 UDavida waphinda waqoqa amabutho ako-Israyeli angu-30 000 ayeyazi kuhle impi. 2 Wasuka lawo wonke amabutho la baya eBhahale-juda besiyathatha ibhokisi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso,+ lelo abantu abathandaza phambi kwalo bebiza uJehova wamabutho+ ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi phezu* kwamakherubhi.+ 3 Balithatha ibhokisi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso endlini ka-Abhinadabi eyayiseqaqeni balifaka enqoleni entsha.+ Amadodana ka-Abhinadabi,+ u-Uza lo-Ahiyo, yiwo ayekhokhela inqola.

4 Balithwala-ke ibhokisi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso belisusa endlini ka-Abhinadabi eyayiseqaqeni. U-Ahiyo wayehamba phambi kwenqola 5 futhi uDavida labo bonke abako-Israyeli babethokoza phambi kukaJehova betshaya amachacho enziwe ngezigodo zomjunipha, lamahabhu,* lamathamborini,+ lamasistramu,* lamasimbali*+ kanye lezinye iziginci.+ 6 Kodwa bathi befika esizeni* sikaNakhoni inkomo zaphosa zawisa ibhokisi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso, u-Uza waseselula isandla walibamba.+ 7 UJehova wamthukuthelela kakhulu u-Uza, wahle wamtshaya wafa+ ngoba wayetshengise ukuthi kamhloniphi+ uNkulunkulu weqiniso. U-Uza wafela khonapho eceleni kwebhokisi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso. 8 Kodwa uDavida wazonda ngenxa yokuthi ulaka lukaJehova lwalwehlele phezu kuka-Uza. Kuze kube lamuhla indawo leyo ibizwa ngokuthi yiPherezi-uza.* 9 UDavida wamesaba uJehova+ ngalelolanga, wathi: “Manje ibhokisi likaJehova lingabuya njani kimi?”+ 10 Wayengasafuni ukuhamba lebhokisi likaJehova edolobheni lakhe*+ lapho ayehlala khona. Yikho wathi lihanjiswe endlini ka-Obhedi-edomi+ umGithi.

11 Ibhokisi likaJehova lahlala endlini ka-Obhedi-edomi umGithi okwenyanga ezintathu njalo uJehova wayelokhu embusisa labo bonke abendlu yakhe.+ 12 INkosi uDavida yatshelwa ukuthi uJehova wayeyibusisile imuli ka-Obhedi-edomi lakho konke alakho ngenxa yebhokisi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso. Yikho uDavida wahamba wayathatha ibhokisi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso endlini ka-Obhedi-edomi, waliletha edolobheni likaDavida ethokoza.+ 13 Ababethwele+ ibhokisi likaJehova bathi sebehambe izinyathelo eziyisithupha uDavida wanikela ngenkunzi langesinye isifuyo esinonileyo.

14 Wagida phambi kukaJehova kwaba luthuli, egqoke i-efodi* yelineni.+ 15 Umsindo wawubambile, uDavida labo bonke abantu bako-Israyeli bethokoza+ kakhulu futhi betshaya uphondo+ ngesikhathi beletha ibhokisi+ likaJehova. 16 Kodwa ibhokisi likaJehova lathi lifika edolobheni likaDavida, uMikhali+ indodakazi kaSawuli walunguza ngewindi wabona iNkosi uDavida iseqa futhi igida phambi kukaJehova, waseqalisa ukuyeyisa enhliziyweni yakhe.+ 17 Bangenisa ibhokisi likaJehova etendeni elalimiswe+ nguDavida, balibeka endaweni yalo. Ngemva kwalokho uDavida wanikela iminikelo yokutshiswa+ lemihlatshelo yobudlelwano+ phambi kukaJehova.+ 18 UDavida wathi eseqedile ukunikela iminikelo yokutshiswa lemihlatshelo yobudlelwano, wabusisa abantu ngebizo likaJehova wamabutho. 19 UDavida wathatha izinkwa eziyisigombolozi, lamakhekhe enziwe ngamagilebisi awonyisiweyo kanye lamakhekhe enziwe ngezithelo zesihlahla selala, wanika bonke abantu bako-Israyeli, abesilisa labesifazana. Ngemva kwalokho bonke abantu basuka babuyela emizini yabo.

20 UDavida wathi esebuyela emzini wakhe esiyabusisa imuli yakhe, uMikhali+ indodakazi kaSawuli waphuma ezomhlangabeza, wathi: “Yeyi inkosi yako-Israyeli yaze yazehlisa isithunzi lamuhla! Izinqunule phambi kwezigqilikazi zabantu bayo njengohlanya lukhipha izigqoko phambi kwabantu.”+ 21 UDavida waphendula uMikhali wathi: “Mina bengithokoza phambi kukaJehova owalahla uyihlo labo bonke abendlu yakhe wakhetha mina, wangibeka ukuthi ngibe ngumkhokheli wabantu bakaJehova, abantu bako-Israyeli.+ Yikho angisoze ngiyekele ukuthokoza phambi kukaJehova, 22 futhi ngizazithoba ngizehlise ukwedlula lokho engikwenze lamuhla, ngize ngeyiseke laphambi kwamehlo ami. Kodwa izigqilikazi lezo ozitshoyo yizo ezizangidumisa.” 23 Ngakho uMikhali+ indodakazi kaSawuli wafa elokhu engelamntwana.

7 Inkosi yathi isihlala endlini yayo,*+ uJehova eseyiphumuzile ekuhlutshweni yizitha zayo zonke ezaziyigombolozele, 2 yakhuluma loNathani+ umphrofethi yathi: “Mina ngihlala endlini eyakhiwe ngemisedari+ kodwa ibhokisi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso lihlala etendeni.”+ 3 UNathani waphendula inkosi wathi: “Hamba uyekwenza loba yini esenhliziyweni yakho ngoba uJehova ulawe.”+

4 Ngalobobusuku ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuNathani lathi: 5 “Hamba uyetshela inceku yami uDavida uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Kambe nguwe okumele ungakhele indlu yokuhlala?+ 6 Phela mina angikaze ngihlale endlini kusukela ngakhipha abantu bako-Israyeli eGibhithe kuze kube lamuhla.+ Bengilokhu ngihamba ngihlala etendeni lasethabanikeli.+ 7 Isikhathi sonke leso ngihamba labako-Israyeli ngake ngababuza yini ngathi, ‘Kungani lingangakhelanga indlu yemisedari?’ Ngake ngababuza umbuzo lo yini abakhokheli bezizwana zako-Israyeli engababeka ukuthi beluse abantu bami?”’ 8 Ngakho tshela inceku yami uDavida uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho: “Ngakuthatha emadlelweni uselusa izimvu+ ukuze ube ngumkhokheli wabantu bami bako-Israyeli.+ 9 Ngizakuba lawe loba ngaphi lapho oya khona+ futhi ngizaziqeda zonke izitha zakho phambi kwakho.+ Ngizakwenza ibizo lakho laziwe+ njengamabizo abantu abadumileyo emhlabeni. 10 Abantu bami bako-Israyeli ngizabakhethela indawo ngibahlalise kuyo. Bazahlala lapho njalo akulamuntu ozabahlupha. Abantu ababi abasoze baphinde babathwalise nzima njengalokho ababekwenza kudala,+ 11 kusukela ngelanga engabeka ngalo abahluleli+ ukuthi bakhokhele abantu bami bako-Israyeli. Ngizakuphumuza ekuhlutshweni yizitha zakho zonke.+

“‘“Kanti njalo uJehova ukutshelile ukuthi yena ngokwakhe uJehova uzakwakhela indlu.*+ 12 Nxa insuku zakho sezifike ekucineni,+ usufile,* ngizabeka omunye wabantwabakho,* indodana yakho, ukuthi abe yinkosi njalo ngizakwenza umbuso wakhe uqine.+ 13 Nguye ozangakhela indlu ezakwenza ibizo lami+ lidunyiswe futhi ngizasiqinisa isihlalo sakhe sobukhosi kuze kube nini lanini.+ 14 Ngizakuba nguyise yena abe yindodana yami.+ Nxa engenza okubi ngizamkhuza ngomqwayi futhi ngimtshaye njengalokho okwenziwa ngabantu.+ 15 Uthando lwami oluqotho alusoze lusuke kuye njengalokho engakwenzayo ngilususa kuSawuli+ engamkhipha phambi kwakho. 16 Indlu yakho lombuso wakho kuzahlala kuze kube nini lanini futhi isihlalo sakho sobukhosi sizahlala siqinile kuze kube phakade.”’”+

17 UNathani watshela uDavida wonke amazwi la kanye lakho konke ayekubone embonweni.+

18 INkosi uDavida yathi isizwa lokho yangena yahlala phambi kukaJehova yathi: “Awu Nkosi Enkulu Jehova, kambe mina ngingubani futhi labendlu yami bayini ukuthi usungaze ungenzele konke lokhu?+ 19 Lanxa ungenzele izinto ezinengi kangaka, awu Nkosi Enkulu Jehova, usuphinde wakhuluma ngokuthi indlu yenceku yakho izahlala isikhathi eside futhi lokho ukwenze kwaba ngumthetho wabantu bonke, awu Nkosi Enkulu Jehova. 20 Phela wena ungazi ngcono+ mina nceku yakho. Manje kuyini okunye engingakutsho kuwe Nkosi Enkulu Jehova? 21 Wenze izinto zonke lezi ezinkulu ngoba lokho kuvumelana lenhliziyo* yakho njalo yikho owakuthembisayo, futhi usutshele inceku yakho+ ngazo. 22 Lokho yikho okwenza ube mkhulu,+ awu Nkosi Enkulu Jehova. Kakho onjengawe+ futhi ngaphandle kwakho+ akula omunye uNkulunkulu. Konke esikuzwe ngendlebe zethu kuyakufakazela lokho. 23 Kambe yisiphi esinye isizwe emhlabeni esinjengabantu bakho bako-Israyeli?+ Wena wahamba wayabakhulula baba ngabantu bakho,+ wabenzela izinto ezinkulu lezimangalisayo+ ukuze ibizo lakho laziwe.+ Waxotsha izizwe wasusa labonkulunkulu bazo usenzela abantu bakho owabakhulula eGibhithe. 24 Abantu bako-Israyeli wabenza baba ngabantu bakho kuze kube nini lanini,+ njalo wena Jehova usunguNkulunkulu wabo.+

25 “Khathesi-ke Jehova Nkulunkulu, yenza lokho okuthembise inceku yakho labendlu yayo kuze kube nini lanini. Kwangathi ungakwenza lokho okuthembisileyo.+ 26 Ibizo lakho kaliphakanyiswe kuze kube phakade+ ukuze abantu bathi, ‘UJehova wamabutho unguNkulunkulu wabako-Israyeli.’ Kwangathi indlu yenceku yakho uDavida ingahlala kuze kube nini lanini phambi kwakho.+ 27 Phela wena Jehova wamabutho, Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, utshele inceku yakho wathi, ‘Ngizakwakhela indlu.’*+ Lokhu yikho okwenza inceku yakho ibe lesibindi sokuthandaza kuwe ngalindlela. 28 Awu Nkosi Enkulu Jehova, wena unguNkulunkulu weqiniso futhi lamazwi akho aliqiniso,+ njalo inceku yakho uyithembise zonke izinto lezi ezinhle. 29 Kwangathi kungakuthokozisa ukubusisa indlu yenceku yakho, iqhubeke iphambi kwakho+ kuze kube phakade ngoba wena Nkosi Enkulu Jehova uthembisile. Busisa indlu yenceku yakho kuze kube nini lanini.”+

8 Ngemva kwesikhathi uDavida wahlasela amaFilisti+ wawanqoba,+ wasewathathela iMethegi-ama.

2 Wanqoba lamaMowabi+ wawalalisa phansi alandelana aba ngumzila ukuze alinganiswe ngentambo. Walinganisa kabili ngentambo emzileni lowo wasesithi amaMowabi lawo abulawe. Waqhubeka walinganisa okwesithathu wasesithi amaMowabi lawo ayesele ayekelwe ephila.+ AmaMowabi aba zinceku zikaDavida futhi aqalisa ukubhadala umthelo kuye.+

3 UDavida wanqoba inkosi yeZobha+ uHadadezeri indodana kaRehobhi, ngesikhathi isiyavuselela umbuso wayo emfuleni uYufrathe.+ 4 UDavida wathumba amabutho kaHadadezeri angu-1 700 ayegade amabhiza, lamanye amabutho angu-20 000. Waquma wonke amabhiza+ imisipha watshiya angu-100 kuphela.

5 AmaSiriya aseDamaseko+ athi ezoncedisa uHadadezeri inkosi yeZobha, uDavida wabulala amabutho awo angu-22 000,+ 6 wasefaka amaqembu amabutho akhe eSiriya yeDamaseko. Abantu beSiriya baba zinceku zikaDavida baqalisa ukubhadala umthelo kuye. UJehova wayesenza uDavida anqobe loba ngaphi lapho ayesiya khona.+ 7 UDavida wathatha amahawu egolide ayisigombolozi ezincekwini zikaHadadezeri wawaletha eJerusalema.+ 8 Wathatha lekhopha enengi kakhulu emadolobheni kaHadadezeri, iBhetha leBherotha.

9 UThoyi inkosi yeHamathi+ wezwa ukuthi uDavida wayenqobe lonke ibutho likaHadadezeri.+ 10 Yikho wathuma indodana yakhe uJoramu kuDavida ukuthi iyembingelela futhi imenzele amhlophe ngenxa yokuthi wayelwe loHadadezeri wamnqoba. (Phela uHadadezeri wayehlala esilwa loThoyi.) UJoramu wahamba lezinto ezenziwe ngegolide lesiliva lekhopha. 11 INkosi uDavida yenza izinto lezi zaba ngcwele kuJehova, kugoqele lesiliva legolide eyayilithethe kuzo zonke izizwe eyayizinqobile.+ 12 Izizwe lezo kwakuyiSiriya, lamaMowabi,+ lama-Amoni, lamaFilisti+ kanye lama-Amaleki.+ Wanikela lempahla ayeyithumbe kuHadadezeri+ indodana kaRehobhi, inkosi yeZobha. 13 UDavida wathola udumo olukhulu ngesikhathi evela bulala ama-Edomi angu-18 000 esigodini sesawudo.+ 14 Wafaka amaqembu amabutho akhe kulo lonke elako-Edomi njalo bonke abantu bako-Edomi baba zinceku zikaDavida.+ UJehova wayesenza uDavida anqobe loba ngaphi lapho ayesiya khona.+

15 UDavida waqhubeka ebusa bonke abantu bako-Israyeli.+ Wayesahlulela kuhle futhi esenzela wonke umuntu+ okulungileyo.+ 16 UJowabi+ indodana kaZeruya nguye owayekhokhela ibutho, njalo uJehoshafathi+ indodana ka-Ahiludi wayebhalela inkosi konke okwakusenzakala. 17 UZadokhi+ indodana ka-Ahithubi, lo-Ahimeleki indodana ka-Abhiyatha babengabaphristi, uSeraya yena engunobhala. 18 UBhenaya+ indodana kaJehoyada wayekhokhela amaKherethi lamaPhelethi.+ Amadodana kaDavida wona ayelezikhundla eziphezulu embusweni.

9 UDavida wathi: “Kulomuntu oseleyo yini kwabendlu kaSawuli engingamenzela umusa* ngenxa kaJonathani?”+ 2 Kwakulenceku yendlu kaSawuli okwakuthiwa nguZibha,+ bayibiza yaya enkosini uDavida. Inkosi yayibuza yathi: “Nguwe uZibha?” Yona yaphendula yathi: “Ye yimi inceku yakho.” 3 Inkosi yasisithi: “Kulomuntu oseleyo yini kwabendlu kaSawuli engingamenzela umusa kaNkulunkulu?”* UZibha waphendula wathi: “Kulendodana kaJonathani eyodwa egogeke inyawo zombili.”+ 4 Inkosi yambuza yathi: “Ingaphi?” UZibha wasephendula wathi: “Isendlini kaMakhiri+ indodana ka-Amiyeli eLo-debhari.”

5 INkosi uDavida yahle yathi uMefibhoshethi kayethathwa endlini kaMakhiri indodana ka-Amiyeli eLo-debhari. 6 UMefibhoshethi indodana kaJonathani, indodana kaSawuli, wathi efika kuDavida waguqa wasesithi mbo phansi ngobuso. UDavida wathi: “Mefibhoshethi!” Yena wathi: “Nkosi yami.” 7 UDavida wasesithi kuye: “Ungesabi ngoba ngizakwenzela umusa*+ ngenxa kayihlo uJonathani. Ngizabuyisela kuwe yonke indawo eyayingekayihlomkhulu uSawuli futhi wena uzakudla etafuleni+ yami zikhathi zonke.”

8 UMefibhoshethi wathi esizwa lokhu wathi mbo phansi ngobuso wasesithi: “Kambe inceku yakho iyini ukuthi usungaze uyicabange? Phela mina nginjengenja efileyo.”+ 9 Inkosi yathi akuyebizwa uZibha inceku kaSawuli, yasisithi kuye: “Konke okwakungokukaSawuli inkosi yakho labendlu yakhe ngikunika umzukulu wakhe.+ 10 Wena lamadodana akho lezisebenzi zakho lizamlimela amasimu akhe futhi livune amabele akhe ukuze abemuli yomzukulu wenkosi yakho bathole ukudla. Kodwa uMefibhoshethi umzukulu wenkosi yakho yena uzakudla etafuleni+ yami zikhathi zonke.”

UZibha wayelamadodana angu-15 lezisebenzi ezingu-20.+ 11 UZibha wathi enkosini: “Nkosi yami, inceku yakho izakwenza konke othi ikwenze.” Ngakho uMefibhoshethi wayesesidla etafuleni kaDavida njengamadodana enkosi. 12 UMefibhoshethi wayelendodana eyayisesencane okwakuthiwa nguMikha.+ Bonke ababehlala emzini kaZibha baba yizisebenzi zikaMefibhoshethi. 13 Kodwa uMefibhoshethi yena wayehlala eJerusalema ngenxa yokuthi kwakumele adle etafuleni yenkosi+ zikhathi zonke. UMefibhoshethi wayegogekile inyawo zombili.+

10 Ngemva kwesikhathi inkosi yama-Amoni+ yafa, indodana yayo uHanuni yasisiba yinkosi esikhundleni sayo.+ 2 UDavida wathi: “Ngizakuba lothando oluqotho kuHanuni indodana kaNahashi ngoba uyise waba lothando oluqotho kimi.” Ngakho wathuma izinceku zakhe ukuthi ziyemduduza njengoba wayefelwe nguyise. Kodwa izinceku zikaDavida zathi zifika elizweni lama-Amoni, 3 izinduna zama-Amoni zathi kuHanuni inkosi yazo: “Ubona angani uDavida uthume abantu ukuthi bazokududuza ngenxa yokuthi uhlonipha uyihlo yini? Ubathume ukuthi bazohlola idolobho, badingisise konke okwenzakala kulo ukuze alihlasele alinqobe.” 4 Ngakho uHanuni wathatha amadoda ayethunywe nguDavida wawagela indevu+ nganxanye kwesilevu, wasika lezigqoko zawo ngemuva, izihlalo zawo zasala zisegcekeni wasewayekela ahamba. 5 INkosi uDavida yathi ikuzwa lokho yahle yathuma abantu ukuthi bayehlangabeza amadoda lawo ngoba ayeyangiswe kakhulu. Yathi kuwo: “Hlalani eJerikho+ indevu zenu zize zikhule beselibuya.”

6 Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi ama-Amoni ananzelela ukuthi uDavida wayesewazonda. Yikho asuka ayabhadala amaSiriya aseBhethi-rehobhi+ lawaseZobha,+ aphiwa amabutho angu-20 000. Abhadala lenkosi yeMahakha+ aphiwa angu-1 000, futhi e-Ishithobi* aphiwa angu-12 000.+ 7 UDavida wathi ekuzwa lokhu wathuma uJowabi lebutho lonke kanye lamaqhawe akhe ayewathembile.+ 8 Ama-Amoni aphuma ayakuma egedini ledolobho elungele ukulwa. AmaSiriya aseZobha leRehobhi lamabutho e-Ishithobi* leMahakha wona ayewodwa emagcekeni egangeni.

9 UJowabi wathi ebona ukuthi amabutho esitha ayethutsha emuva laphambili, wakhetha amanye amadoda ako-Israyeli ayeyazi kuhle impi, wawahlela kuhle ukuze ayedibana lamabutho eSiriya.+ 10 Wabeka umfowabo u-Abhishayi+ ukuthi akhokhele wonke amanye amadoda ayesele, awahlele ukuze ayedibana lama-Amoni+ empini. 11 Wathi: “Nxa amaSiriya esengikhulela kumele ubuye uzongincedisa njalo nxa ama-Amoni esekukhulela, lami ngizabuya ngizokuncedisa. 12 Kumele siqine futhi sibe lesibindi+ silwele abantu bakithi lamadolobho kaNkulunkulu wethu. UJehova yena uzakwenza lokho akubona kukuhle.”+

13 UJowabi lamadoda ayelaye basuka bayadibana lamaSiriya, amaSiriya ambalekela.+ 14 Ama-Amoni athi ebona ukuthi amaSiriya asebalekile, lawo abalekela u-Abhishayi ayangena edolobheni. Ngemva kokulwa lama-Amoni, uJowabi wabuyela eJerusalema.

15 AmaSiriya athi ebona ukuthi anqotshwe ngabako-Israyeli aphinda aqoqana futhi.+ 16 UHadadezeri+ wabiza amaSiriya ayesesabelweni semfuleni,*+ abuya eHelamu ekhokhelwa nguShobhakhi induna yebutho likaHadadezeri.

17 UDavida wathi ekuzwa lokhu wahle waqoqa wonke amabutho ako-Israyeli wachapha uJodani waya eHelamu. AmaSiriya ahlela amabutho awo ayakulwa loDavida.+ 18 Kodwa anqotshwa awabalekela ama-Israyeli. UDavida wabulala abagadi bezinqola abangu-700 lamasotsha angu-40 000 ayegade amabhiza, wabulala loShobhakhi induna yebutho labo.+ 19 Wonke amakhosi ayezinceku zikaHadadezeri athi ebona ukuthi asenqotshwe ngabako-Israyeli, ahle enza ukuthula labo aba ngaphansi kwabo.+ Kusukela lapho amaSiriya ayesesesaba ukuncedisa ama-Amoni.

11 Ekuqaliseni komnyaka,* ngesikhathi amakhosi ahamba ngaso ukuyahlasela, uDavida wathuma uJowabi lezinceku zakhe lalo lonke ibutho lako-Israyeli ukuthi bayetshabalalisa ama-Amoni. Bahamba bayavimbezela iRabha,+ kodwa uDavida yena wasala eJerusalema.+

2 Ngelinye ilanga ntambama uDavida wavuka embhedeni wakhe wahambahamba ephahleni lwendlu yenkosi.* Wathi elapho wabona nanguya owesifazana egeza futhi owesifazana lo wayemuhle kakhulu. 3 UDavida wathuma umuntu ukuthi ayebuza ngowesifazana lo. Umuntu lo uthe ephenduka wathi: “NguBhathishebha+ indodakazi ka-Eliyami,+ futhi ungumka-Uriya+ umHithi.”+ 4 UDavida wasethuma izithunywa ukuthi ziyemthatha.+ Ngakho uBhathishebha wabuya, uDavida waselala laye.+ (Lokhu kwenzakala ngesikhathi uBhathishebha ezihlambulula ekungcoleni kwakhe.*)+ Ngemva kwalokho wabuyela endlini yakhe.

5 UBhathishebha wananzelela ukuthi usezithwele, yikho wathumela ilizwi kuDavida emtshela ukuthi usezithwele. 6 UDavida wathi ekuzwa lokho wathumela ilizwi kuJowabi wathi: “Thuma u-Uriya umHithi abuye kimi.” Ngakho uJowabi wathuma u-Uriya kuDavida. 7 U-Uriya wathi esefikile, uDavida wambuza ukuthi uJowabi unjani, wambuza langamabutho langokuthi impi yayihamba njani. 8 UDavida wasesithi ku-Uriya: “Hamba endlini yakho uyephumula.” U-Uriya wathi esuka endlini yenkosi, inkosi yathumela abantu ukuthi bayemnika isipho.* 9 Kodwa u-Uriya walala emnyango wendlu yenkosi lezinye izinceku zenkosi yakhe, kazange aye endlini yakhe. 10 UDavida watshelwa ukuthi u-Uriya kazange aye endlini yakhe. Ngakho wathi ku-Uriya: “Angithi usanda kufika uvela khatshana? Manje kungani ungazange uye endlini yakho?” 11 U-Uriya waphendula uDavida wathi: “Amabutho ako-Israyeli lawakoJuda asezihonqweni lebhokisi+ likaNkulunkulu, futhi inkosi yami uJowabi lezinceku zayo bamise inkamba egangeni. Manje mina sengingaya endlini yami ngiyekudla nginathe ngilale lomkami?+ Ngiyafunga phambi kwakho,* angisoze ngikwenze lokho!”

12 Ngakho uDavida wathi ku-Uriya: “Hlala lapha lalamuhla, kusasa ngizakuvumela ukuthi uhambe.” U-Uriya watshona eJerusalema ngalelolanga langelanga elilandelayo. 13 UDavida wathuma abantu bayabiza u-Uriya. Wadla laye futhi wanatha laye waze wamdakisa. Kodwa ntambama u-Uriya wahamba wayalala endaweni yakhe lezinye izinceku zenkosi yakhe, kazange aye endlini yakhe. 14 Ekuseni uDavida wabhalela uJowabi incwadi wayiphathisa u-Uriya. 15 Wabhala wathi: “U-Uriya umfake phambili lapho impi etshisa khona kakhulu, beselibuyela emuva asale yedwa ukuze abulawe.”+

16 UJowabi wayelihlolisise kuhle idolobho, yikho wafaka u-Uriya lapho ayekwazi ukuthi kulamabutho esitha alamandla. 17 Amabutho edolobho lelo aphuma alwa loJowabi futhi ezinye izinceku zikaDavida zabulawa, lo-Uriya umHithi laye wafa.+ 18 Ngemva kwalokho uJowabi wabikela uDavida konke okwakwenzakele empini. 19 Watshela isithunywa wathi: “Nxa usuqedile ukubikela inkosi konke okwenzakale empini, 20 mhlawumbe inkosi izazonda ithi kuwe, ‘Kungani lisondele eduze kwedolobho ngesikhathi lisilwa labo? Belingazi yini ukuthi bazalitshoka ngemitshoko bephezu komduli? 21 Ngubani owabulala u-Abhimeleki+ indodana kaJerubheshethi?+ Angithi ngowesifazana owayephezu komduli owaphosela ilitshe lokuchola phezu kwakhe wahle wambulala eThebhezi? Manje kungani lisondele kakhulu eduze komduli?’ Nxa inkosi ingatsho njalo wena uthi, ‘Inceku yakho u-Uriya umHithi layo ifile.’”

22 Ngakho isithunywa sahamba safika sabikela uDavida konke esasikuthunywe nguJowabi. 23 Satshela uDavida sathi: “Amadoda edolobho asikhulele. Aphume azokulwa lathi egangeni kodwa silwe lawo sawabuyisela emuva saze sayafika egedini ledolobho. 24 Amabutho emitshoko abetshoka izinceku zakho ephezu komduli futhi ezinye izinceku zenkosi zifile, lenceku yakho u-Uriya umHithi ifile.”+ 25 UDavida wathi esizwa lokho waphendula isithunywa wathi: “Hamba uyetshela uJowabi uthi: ‘Ungavumi ukuthi okwenzakeleyo kukukhathaze ngoba inkemba kayikhethi, ibulala loba ngubani. Bophani ziqine lihlasele idolobho lilinqobe.’+ Umqinise uJowabi.”

26 Umka-Uriya wathi esizwa ukuthi u-Uriya ufile wamlilela umkakhe. 27 Isikhathi sokulila sathi sisanda kudlula, uDavida wathuma abantu bayathatha uBhathishebha bamletha endlini yakhe. Waba ngumkakhe+ futhi wamzalela indodana. Kodwa lokho okwakwenziwe nguDavida kwamzondisa uJehova.*+

12 Ngakho uJehova wathuma uNathani+ kuDavida. UNathani wafika wathi kuye:+ “Kwelinye idolobho kwakulamadoda amabili, enye inothile kodwa enye ingumyanga. 2 Indoda eyayinothile yayilezimvu lenkomo+ ezinengi kakhulu, 3 kodwa engumyanga yona yayilezinyane lemvu elisikazi elilodwa kuphela eyayilithengile.+ Yalondla lakhulela emzini wayo ndawonye lamadodana ayo. Lalisidla ukudla okuncane eyayilakho, linathe enkomitshini yayo futhi lalilala engalweni zayo. Kwasekungathi liyindodakazi yayo. 4 Ngelinye ilanga kwafika umuntu ezovakatshela indoda enothileyo. Kodwa yayingafuni ukumhlabela enye yezimvu zayo lenkomo zayo imenzele ukudla. Yikho yathatha izinyane lendoda eyayingumyanga yalihlaba, yasilungisela umuntu owayeyivakatshele+ ukudla.”

5 UDavida uthe esizwa lokhu wazonda kakhulu wathi kuNathani: “Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo,+ umuntu owenze lokhu kumele abulawe! 6 Kumele ayibhadale imvu leyo sekuphindwe kane+ ngenxa yalokho akwenzileyo, ngoba utshengise ukuthi kalazwelo.”

7 UNathani wasesithi kuDavida: “Umuntu wakhona nguwe! Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli: ‘Mina ngokwami ngakugcoba ukuthi ube yinkosi yabako-Israyeli+ futhi ngakusindisa esandleni sikaSawuli.+ 8 Ngangizimisele ukukunika indlu yenkosi yakho+ lokubeka ezandleni zakho amakhosikazi+ enkosi yakho. Ngakunika indlu yako-Israyeli leyakoJuda+ njalo ngangizimisele ukukwenzela lokunye okunengi.+ 9 Kungani udelele ilizwi likaJehova wenza okubi phambi kwakhe? Ubulele u-Uriya umHithi ngenkemba!+ Umbulalise ngenkemba yama-Amoni+ wasuthatha inkosikazi yakhe+ yaba ngumkakho. 10 Khathesi-ke inkemba ayisoze isuke endlini yakho+ ngoba ungidelele wathatha umka-Uriya umHithi wamenza umkakho.’ 11 Yikho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: ‘Ngizakuvusela uhlupho phakathi kwendlu yakho+ futhi ngizathatha amakhosikazi akho ngiwaphe enye indoda*+ phambi kwamehlo akho. Izalala lawo emini libalele.+ 12 Lanxa wena okwenzileyo ukwenze ensitha,+ mina ngizakwenza lokhu phambi kwabo bonke abantu bako-Israyeli emini libalele.’”

13 UDavida wasesithi kuNathani: “Ngonile kuJehova.”+ UNathani wamphendula wathi: “UJehova laye uyakuxolela*+ isono sakho. Awusoze ufe.+ 14 Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi umdelele kakhulu uJehova ngokwenza lokhu, indodana yakho esanda kuzalwa izakufa loba sekutheni.”

15 Ngemva kwalokho uNathani waya emzini wakhe.

UJehova wamtshaya ngomkhuhlane umntakaDavida owayezelwe ngumka-Uriya, waqalisa ukugula. 16 UDavida wamncengela umntwana kuNkulunkulu weqiniso futhi wazila ukudla. Nsuku zonke ntambama wayengena endlini yakhe alale phansi ubusuku bonke.+ 17 Abadala bendlu yakhe baya kuye bazama ukumvusa kodwa wala futhi kazange avume lokudla labo. 18 Umntwana wafa ngelanga lesikhombisa, kodwa izinceku zikaDavida zazisesaba ukumtshela ukuthi umntwana usefile. Zazisithi: “Besikhuluma laye ngesikhathi umntwana esaphila kodwa kazange asilalele. Manje sizamtshela njani ukuthi umntwana usefile? Angasenzela okunye.”

19 UDavida wathi ebona izinceku zakhe zinyenyezelana wahle wananzelela ukuthi umntwana usefile. UDavida wabuza izinceku zakhe wathi: “Umntwana usefile yini?” Zona zaphendula zathi: “Ye usefile.” 20 Ngakho uDavida wavuka lapho ayelele khona, wageza wagcoba amafutha+ wasetshintsha izigqoko waya endlini+ kaJehova wayakhonza. Ngemva kwalokho wabuyela endlini yakhe wacela ukuthi bamnike ukudla, wadla. 21 Izinceku zakhe zambuza zathi: “Kungani wenze kanje? Uzile ukudla futhi waqhubeka ulila ngesikhathi umntwana esaphila, kodwa umntwana uthe esefile wena wahle wasukuma wadla.” 22 UDavida waphendula wathi: “Umntwana esaphila ngizile ukudla+ ngaqhubeka ngilila ngoba bengicabanga ukuthi mhlawumbe uJehova angangizwela ayekele umntwana aphile.+ 23 Manje njengoba esefile, ngiyabe ngisazilelani? Kambe ngingamvusa yini?+ Kasoze abuye kimi+ kodwa mina yimi engizakufa njengaye.”+

24 UDavida wamduduza umkakhe uBhathishebha.+ Walala laye, kwathi ngemva kwesikhathi wabeletha indodana bayibiza ngokuthi nguSolomoni.*+ UJehova wamthanda uSolomoni,+ 25 futhi wathumela ilizwi kumphrofethi uNathani+ wathi ayemnika ibizo elithi Jedidiya* ngenxa yokuthi uJehova wayemthanda.*

26 UJowabi waqhubeka esilwa leRabha+ yama-Amoni+ futhi wathumba idolobho lesikhosini.*+ 27 Wathuma izithunywa kuDavida wathi: “Sengilwe leRabha+ ngathumba idolobho lamanzi.* 28 Yikho wena qoqa wonke amabutho aseleyo livimbezele idolobho lilithumbe ngoba nxa lingathunjwa yimi, udumo luzaphiwa mina.”*

29 Ngakho uDavida waqoqa wonke amabutho wayakulwa leRabha wayithumba. 30 Wathatha umqhele owawusekhanda lesithombe sikaMalikhamu. Wawulesisindo esilithalenta* legolide njalo wawuceciswe ngamatshe aligugu. Umqhele lo wagqokiswa uDavida. UDavida wathumba lempahla enengi+ edolobheni leli.+ 31 Wathatha abantu ababelapho, abanye wabanika umsebenzi wokutshaya izitina lokubaza amatshe. Abanye babesebenzisa amahloka lamanye amathuluzi ensimbi abukhali. Lokhu yikho ayekwenza kuwo wonke amadolobho ama-Amoni. Ngemva kwalokho uDavida lamabutho akhe babuyela eJerusalema.

13 U-Abhisalomu indodana kaDavida wayelodadewabo owayemuhle okwakuthiwa nguThamari.+ U-Amnoni+ indodana kaDavida wayemthanda kakhulu uThamari. 2 U-Amnoni wakhathazeka kakhulu waze wagula ngenxa kadadewabo uThamari, ngoba wayeyintombi egcweleyo futhi kukhanya kungelanto ayengayenza kuye. 3 U-Amnoni wayelomngane okwakuthiwa nguJehonadabi+ owayeyindodana kaShimeya+ umfowabo kaDavida. UJehonadabi wayehlakaniphe kakhulu. 4 Yikho wathi ku-Amnoni: “Kungani indodana yenkosi ivuka idanile nsuku zonke? Ngicela ungitshele.” U-Amnoni wamphendula wathi: “Ngiyamthanda kakhulu uThamari udadewabo+ ka-Abhisalomu umfowethu.” 5 UJehonadabi wasesithi kuye: “Wena lala embhedeni wakho wenze angathi uyagula. Nxa uyihlo angabuya ezokubona uthi kuye, ‘Ngicela udadewethu uThamari abuye azongipha ukudla. Nxa angalungisa ukudla phambi kwami, angiphe khona ngesandla sakhe ngizakudla.’”

6 Ngakho u-Amnoni walala wazenza ogulayo, inkosi yasibuya yazombona. U-Amnoni wathi enkosini: “Ngicela udadewethu uThamari abuye azongiphekela izinkwa ezimbili ezibunjwe njengenhliziyo, abesengipha zona ngesandla sakhe.” 7 UDavida wasethumela ilizwi kuThamari owayesendlini wathi: “Ngicela uye endlini yomfowenu u-Amnoni ufike umlungisele ukudla.” 8 U-Amnoni wayelele endlini yakhe yikho uThamari waya khona, wafika wathatha ifulawa wayivuba phambi komfowabo wasepheka izinkwa. 9 Ngemva kwalokho wathatha ipani wasenika u-Amnoni izinkwa, kodwa wala ukudla wathi: “Bonke abantu abaphume endlini!” Ngakho bonke baphuma.

10 U-Amnoni wasesithi kuThamari: “Letha ukudla ngapha endlini yokulala, ungiphe khona ngesandla sakho ngidle.” Yikho uThamari wathatha izinkwa ayeziphekile ezazibunjwe njengenhliziyo, wangena lazo lapho okwakulele khona umfowabo. 11 Wathi emqhubela zona ukuthi adle, u-Amnoni wambamba wathi kuye: “Lala lami dadewethu.” 12 Kodwa yena wathi: “Hatshi mfowethu ungangenzi ihlazo elinjalo ngoba lokho akwenziwa ko-Israyeli!+ Ungenzi into embi kangaka.+ 13 Kambe ihlazo elingaka ngizalithini? Lawe kuzathiwa ungomunye wamadoda angelangqondo ko-Israyeli. Ngicela uyekhuluma lenkosi, ungicele kuyo ngoba ayisoze yale.” 14 Kodwa u-Amnoni wala ukumlalela, wamehlula wasemenza ihlazo wambamba iganyavu. 15 Wathi eqeda lokho wamzonda wamenyanya. Wamzonda kakhulu ukwedlula indlela ayemthanda ngayo kuqala. U-Amnoni wathi kuye: “Vuka uhambe!” 16 UThamari wamphendula wathi: “Hatshi mfowethu, ukungixotsha kubi kakhulu ukwedlula lokho osungenze khona!” Kodwa u-Amnoni kazange amlalele.

17 Wabiza ijaha elaliyisisebenzi sakhe wathi kulo: “Susa umuntu lo lapha ubusukhiya umnyango.” 18 Isisebenzi sika-Amnoni samkhiphela phandle kwendlu sasesikhiya. (UThamari wayegqoke ijazi elihle kakhulu* elaligqokwa ngamadodakazi enkosi ayezintombi ezigcweleyo.) 19 Wazithela ngomlotha ekhanda,+ wadabula ijazi lakhe elihle ayeligqokile. Wahamba ekhala ethwele imikhono ekhanda.

20 Umfowabo u-Abhisalomu+ wathi embona wambuza wathi: “Ngumfowenu u-Amnoni obelawe yini? Zithulele dadewethu, ungumfowenu,+ ungazikhathazi ngendaba le.” Ngakho uThamari wahlala endlini yomfowabo u-Abhisalomu engabonani labantu. 21 UDavida inkosi wathi esizwa ngakho konke lokhu wazonda kakhulu.+ Kodwa wayengafuni ukuyizwisa ubuhlungu indodana yakhe u-Amnoni ngoba wayeyithanda njengoba yayilizibulo lakhe. 22 U-Abhisalomu wayesemzonda+ kakhulu u-Amnoni ngoba wayenze ihlazo kudadewabo uThamari.+ Kodwa kazange akhulume lutho olubi loba oluhle ku-Amnoni.

23 Kwathi ngemva kweminyaka emibili egcweleyo izisebenzi zika-Abhisalomu zahamba zayagela izimvu zakhe eBhali-hazori duze lako-Efrayimi.+ U-Abhisalomu wanxusa wonke amadodana enkosi.+ 24 Waya enkosini wafika wathi: “Inceku yakho igela izimvu zayo. Yikho ngicela inkosi lezinceku zayo bahambe lami.” 25 Kodwa inkosi yathi ku-Abhisalomu: “Hatshi ndodana yami, nxa sonke singahamba sizakuba ngumthwalo kuwe.” Lanxa u-Abhisalomu wayelokhu encenga, inkosi yala ukuhamba kodwa yambusisa. 26 U-Abhisalomu wasesithi: “Nxa wena ungasoze uhambe, ngicela usivumele sihambe lo-Amnoni umfowethu.”+ Inkosi yasiphendula yathi: “Kungani kumele ahambe lawe?” 27 Kodwa u-Abhisalomu waqhubeka encenga, inkosi yacina isithi u-Amnoni lawo wonke amadodana ayo bahambe laye.

28 U-Abhisalomu watshela izisebenzi zakhe wathi: “Likhangele u-Amnoni. Nxa inhliziyo yakhe isithokoza ngenxa yewayini ngizathi kini, ‘Bulalani u-Amnoni!’ Lina kumele lihle limbulale. Lingesabi, angithi yimi engilitshela ukuthi lenzeni. Qinani libe lesibindi.” 29 Izisebenzi zika-Abhisalomu zenza lokho ayezitshele khona, zambulala u-Amnoni. Amanye amadodana enkosi ahle asukuma eqela phezu kwembongolo* zawo abaleka. 30 Athi esasendleleni kwafika umbiko kuDavida owawusithi: “U-Abhisalomu usebulele wonke amadodana enkosi. Akula ngitsho leyodwa eseleyo.” 31 Inkosi yathi ikuzwa lokhu yasukuma yadabula izembatho zayo yalala phansi. Zonke izinceku zayo zadabula izembatho zazo zama eceleni kwayo.

32 Kodwa uJehonadabi+ indodana kaShimeya+ umfowabo kaDavida wathi: “Inkosi kayingacabangi ukuthi kubulewe wonke amadodana ayo, u-Amnoni nguye yedwa obuleweyo.+ U-Abhisalomu nguye othe abulawe+ njalo ubehlala ekucabanga lokhu kusukela ngesikhathi u-Amnoni esenza ihlazo kudadewabo+ uThamari.+ 33 Yikho inkosi yami kayingakhathazwa ngumbiko othi, ‘Wonke amadodana enkosi afile,’ ngoba u-Amnoni nguye yedwa ofileyo.”

34 Kuthe sekunjalo u-Abhisalomu yena wahle wabaleka.+ Ngemva kwesikhathi umuntu owayelindile wathi uthi mehlo suka wabona kulabantu abanengi ababethutsha ngomgwaqo owawungemva kwakhe owawudlula eceleni kwentaba. 35 Ngakho uJehonadabi+ wathi enkosini: “Khangela! Amadodana enkosi asephendukile, kwenzakale njengoba inceku yakho itshilo.” 36 Wathi eqeda nje ukukhuluma, amadodana enkosi afika eqhinqa isililo. Inkosi lazo zonke izinceku zayo labo bakhala okuzwisa usizi. 37 U-Abhisalomu yena wabaleka waya kuThalimayi+ indodana ka-Amihudi inkosi yeGeshuri. UDavida walilela indodana yakhe okwensuku ezinengi. 38 U-Abhisalomu wathi esebalekele eGeshuri+ wahlala khona okweminyaka emithathu.

39 Ngemva kwesikhathi iNkosi uDavida yafisa ukuyabona u-Abhisalomu ngoba yayisiduduzekile ngokufa kuka-Amnoni.

14 UJowabi indodana kaZeruya+ wakwazi ukuthi inkosi yayisifisa ukubona u-Abhisalomu.+ 2 Ngakho uJowabi wathumela abantu eThekhowa+ ukuthi bayebiza omunye owesifazana owayehlakaniphile, wasesithi kuye: “Ngicela wenze angathi kulomuntu omlilelayo, ugqoke izigqoko zokulila futhi ungagcobi amafutha.+ Kumele wenze angathi ungowesifazana oselesikhathi eside elilela umuntu owafayo, 3 ubusuhamba uyekhuluma lenkosi uyitshele amazwi engizakutshela wona.” UJowabi watshela owesifazana lo lokho okwakufanele akutsho.

4 Owesifazana waseThekhowa waya enkosini waguqa wakhangela phansi, wasesithi: “Awu nkosi, ngicela ungincede!” 5 Inkosi yaphendula yathi: “Kwenzenjani?” Owesifazana wasesithi: “Ngingumfelokazi, ngafelwa ngumkami. 6 Incekukazi yakho yayilamadodana amabili. Alwa ngesikhathi esegangeni futhi kwakungelamuntu owayengawalamula. Enye yacina isibulele umfowabo. 7 Khathesi bonke emulini sebengivukela besithi, ‘Mlethe lapha lowo owabulala umfowabo simbulale ngenxa yokuthi wabulala umfowabo.+ Akulandaba ukuthi kuzasala kungelandlalifa.’ Bangambulala bazabe sebecitshe inhlansi yethemba* engilalo njalo umkami uzasala engelamntwana, ibizo lakhe litshabalale emhlabeni.”

8 Inkosi yasisithi kuye: “Buyela emzini wakho, ngizalulungisa udaba lwakho.” 9 Owesifazana waseThekhowa wasephendula inkosi wathi: “Awu nkosi yami, icala kaletheswe mina lendlu kababa kodwa inkosi lesihlalo sayo sobukhosi khona kube msulwa.” 10 Inkosi yathi kuye: “Nxa kungaba lomuntu ophinda akhulume lawe ngendaba le umlethe kimi, kasoze akuhluphe futhi.” 11 Kodwa yena wathi: “Ngicela inkosi ikhumbule uJehova uNkulunkulu wayo ukuze isihlobo esifuna ukuphindisela+ singahlaseli umntanami simbulale.” Inkosi yasimphendula yathi: “Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo,+ indodana yakho ayisoze ibulawe.”* 12 Owesifazana wasesithi: “Ngicela uvumele incekukazi yakho ikhulume okunye lenkosi yayo.” Inkosi yathi: “Khuluma.”

13 Owesifazana wathi: “Kungani inkosi ikhethe ukwenza into enjengaleyi ebantwini bakaNkulunkulu?+ Phela nxa ikhuluma kanje izibeka icala ngoba ayikayibizi indodana yayo eyayixotshayo.+ 14 Sizakufa siphele sibili, sibe njengamanzi achithelwe phansi angeke aphinde abuthwe. Kodwa uNkulunkulu yena kasoze abulale muntu futhi usecabangisisile ngokuthi kungani lowo oxotshiweyo kungamelanga ehlukaniswe laye kokuphela. 15 Ngibuye lapha ngazokhuluma lenkosi yami ngoba abantu bangenze ngesaba. Yikho inceku yakho ithe, ‘Kungcono ngiyekhuluma lenkosi, engxenye ingasamukela isicelo sesigqili sayo. 16 Mhlawumbe inkosi izangilalela ikhulule isigqili sayo esandleni somuntu ofuna ukutshabalalisa mina lendodana yami engisele layo, asisuse elifeni esaliphiwa+ nguNkulunkulu.’ 17 Ngakho incekukazi yakho ithe, ‘Kwangathi ilizwi lenkosi yami lingangiduduza.’ Phela inkosi yami injengengilosi kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, iyenelisa ukwehlukanisa okuhle lokubi. Sengathi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho angaba lawe.”

18 Inkosi yathi kowesifazana: “Ngicela ukubuza, ungangifihleli lutho.” Owesifazana wathi: “Inkosi yami kayikhulume.” 19 Inkosi yabuza yathi: “NguJowabi yini okuthume ukuthi uzokhuluma konke lokhu?”+ Owesifazana waphendula wathi: “Ngiyafunga phambi kwakho* nkosi yami, uqinisile. Ngithunywe nguJowabi inceku yakho futhi nguye otshele incekukazi yakho konke ekukhulumileyo. 20 UJowabi inceku yakho wenze lokhu ukuze atshintshe izinto, kodwa inkosi yami ihlakaniphe njengengilosi kaNkulunkulu weqiniso futhi yazi konke okwenzakala elizweni.”

21 Ngakho inkosi yathi kuJowabi: “Kulungile, ngizakwenza njalo.+ Hamba uyemthatha u-Abhisalomu.”+ 22 UJowabi uthe esizwa lokho wazilahla phansi, walala ubuso bakhe bukhangele phansi, wasebonga inkosi wathi: “Lamuhla inceku yakho isikwazi ukuthi ithole umusa kuwe nkosi yami, ngoba inkosi isikwenzile lokho inceku yayo ebikucela.” 23 Ngemva kwalokho uJowabi wasuka waya eGeshuri+ wayathatha u-Abhisalomu wamletha eJerusalema. 24 Kodwa inkosi yathi: “Kabuyele endlini yakhe, angisoze ngimvumele ukuthi angibone.” Yikho u-Abhisalomu waya endlini yakhe futhi kazange ayibone inkosi.

25 Ko-Israyeli kwakungelandoda enhle njengo-Abhisalomu. Wayebatshazwa kakhulu, engelasici kusukela phansi konyawo kuze kuyefika ekhanda. 26 Ikhanda lakhe wayeligela ekupheleni komnyaka ngoba inwele zakhe zaziyabe sezimsinda. Wayesithi angagela, inwele zakhe zibe yisilinganiso samashekheli angu-200* nxa kusetshenziswa isilinganiso selitshe lesikhosini.* 27 U-Abhisalomu wayelamadodana amathathu+ lendodakazi eyodwa okwakuthiwa nguThamari. UThamari wayemuhle kakhulu.

28 U-Abhisalomu wahlala eJerusalema okweminyaka emibili egcweleyo kodwa kazange ayibone inkosi.+ 29 Ngakho u-Abhisalomu wabiza uJowabi efuna ukumthuma enkosini kodwa uJowabi kazange abuye. Wambiza futhi okwesibili kodwa uJowabi waphinda wala ukubuya. 30 U-Abhisalomu wacina etshela izisebenzi zakhe wathi: “Insimu kaJowabi iseceleni kweyami futhi ulime ibhali. Hambani liyeyithungela ngomlilo.” Izisebenzi zika-Abhisalomu zahamba zayatshisa insimu kaJowabi ngomlilo. 31 UJowabi wasuka waya endlini ka-Abhisalomu wathi kuye: “Izisebenzi zakho zitshiseleni insimu yami?” 32 U-Abhisalomu wasephendula uJowabi wathi: “Ngikuthumele ilizwi ngathi kuwe, ‘Woza ngikuthume enkosini uyebuza ukuthi ngasukelani eGeshuri.+ Phela kwakuzaba ngcono ngabe ngazihlalela khona. Khathesi ngicela ukubona inkosi, ingibulale nxa ngilecala.’”

33 Ngakho uJowabi waya enkosini wafika wayitshela. Inkosi yasibiza u-Abhisalomu wafika waguqa phambi kwayo, waselala ubuso bakhe bukhangele phansi. Inkosi yasimqabuza u-Abhisalomu.+

15 Ngemva kwakho konke lokhu, u-Abhisalomu wazidingela inqola lamabhiza kanye lamadoda angu-50 ukuthi agijime phambi kwakhe.+ 2 U-Abhisalomu wayevuka ekuseni kakhulu ayekuma eceleni komgwaqo owawusiya egedini ledolobho.+ Kwakusithi kungabuya umuntu elodaba okumele lulungiswe yinkosi,+ u-Abhisalomu wayembiza athi kuye: “Uvela kuliphi idolobho?” Yena abesephendula athi: “Inceku yakho ivela kwesinye isizwana sako-Israyeli.” 3 U-Abhisalomu abesesithi: “Indaba yakho iyazwakala futhi okutshoyo kuliqiniso. Kodwa akulamuntu ovela enkosini ongakulalela.” 4 U-Abhisalomu wayeqhubeka athi: “Nxa mina bengingabekwa ukuthi ngibe ngumahluleli elizweni, wonke umuntu olodaba okumele lwahlulelwe ubezabuya kimi futhi bengizakuba leqiniso lokuthi wahlulelwa kuhle.”

5 Kwakusithi kungafika umuntu ezomkhothamela, u-Abhisalomu elule isandla sakhe ambambe abesemqabuza.+ 6 Wayesenza njalo kubo bonke abantu bako-Israyeli ababebuya belezindaba abafuna zahlulelwe yinkosi. Ngakho u-Abhisalomu waqhubeka ehuga abako-Israyeli+ wabenza bathanda yena.

7 Ngemva kweminyaka emine* u-Abhisalomu wathi enkosini: “Ngicela ungivumele ngiye eHebroni+ ngiyegcwalisa isifungo engasenza kuJehova. 8 Inceku yakho yenza isifungo+ ngesikhathi ihlala eGeshuri+ eSiriya. Yafunga yathi: ‘Nxa uJehova engangibuyisela eJerusalema ngizanikela umnikelo kuJehova.’”* 9 Inkosi yathi kuye: “Hamba ngokuthula.” U-Abhisalomu wasesuka waya eHebroni.

10 Wathuma izinhloli kuzo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli wathi: “Nxa lingezwa uphondo lukhala lihle limemeze lithi, ‘U-Abhisalomu useyinkosi eHebroni!’”+ 11 Wayenxuse amadoda angu-200 aweJerusalema wahamba lawo, kodwa ayengazi lutho ngokwakusenzakala njalo ayengacabangeli lutho. 12 Wathi esenikela umhlatshelo wathuma abantu ukuthi bayebiza u-Ahithofeli,+ umeluleki kaDavida+ owayehlala edolobheni lakibo eGilo.+ Icebo labo lokuhlamuka laqhubeka liphumelela futhi abantu ababesekela u-Abhisalomu babelokhu besanda.+

13 Kwasekufika umuntu kuDavida wamtshela wathi: “Abantu bako-Israyeli sebekuhlamukele baya ku-Abhisalomu.” 14 UDavida wahle watshela zonke izinceku zakhe ezazilaye eJerusalema wathi: “Sukumani sibaleke+ ngoba akula loyedwa ozaphunyuka ku-Abhisalomu! Phangisani ngoba engacina esithola asihlasele, atshabalalise lonke idolobho ngenkemba!”+ 15 Izinceku zenkosi zaphendula zathi: “Konke inkosi efuna ukukwenza, izinceku zayo zizimisele ukukwenza.”+ 16 Ngakho inkosi yaphuma layo yonke imuli yayo kodwa yatshiya abafazi bayo beceleni abalitshumi+ ukuze basale bekhangele umuzi wayo.* 17 Inkosi labo bonke abantu ababeyilandela basuka bahamba, bafika bama eBhethi-merihakhi.

18 Yahlola zonke izinceku zayo ezazihamba layo kanye lawo wonke amaKherethi lamaPhelethi,+ lamadoda angu-600 angamaGithi+ ayelandele inkosi evela eGathi.+ Bonke babedlula phambi kwenkosi, inkosi ibahlola. 19 Inkosi yasisithi ku-Ithayi+ umGithi: “Kungani uhamba lathi? Buyela uyehlala lenkosi entsha ngoba ungowesinye isizwe futhi wabaleka elizweni lakini. 20 Wena ufike lapha izolo. Manje lamuhla sengingakwenza ubhodabhode lathi uye lapho okungaziwa khona? Buyela emuva labafowenu. Kwangathi uJehova angaba lothando oluqotho futhi athembeke kuwe!”+ 21 Kodwa u-Ithayi waphendula inkosi wathi: “Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo, ngifunge langawe nkosi yami, lapho inkosi yami ezabe ikhona, lenceku yayo izakuba khonapho. Ngizimisele ukufa lawe!”+ 22 UDavida wasesithi ku-Ithayi:+ “Kulungile chapha.” Ngakho u-Ithayi umGithi wachapha labo bonke abantu ayelabo kanye labantwana.

23 Bonke abantu elizweni babesiqhinqa isililo ngesikhathi abantu bonke bechapha njalo inkosi yayimi eduze kwesigodi seKhidroni.+ Bonke babechapha besiya emgwaqweni oqonda enkangala. 24 UZadokhi+ laye wayekhona elamaLevi+ ayethwele ibhokisi+ lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu weqiniso.+ Babeka phansi ibhokisi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso njalo u-Abhiyatha+ wafika ngesikhathi abantu beqeda ukuchapha bephuma edolobheni. 25 Kodwa inkosi yathi kuZadokhi: “Thatha ibhokisi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso ubuyele lalo edolobheni.+ Nxa uJehova angaba lomusa kimi, uzangiphendukisa ngiphinde ngilibone ibhokisi kanye lendawo elihlala kuyo.+ 26 Kodwa nxa engathokozi ngami uzakwenza kimi lokho akubona kuqondile.” 27 Inkosi yaqhubeka yathi kuZadokhi umphristi: “Kanti awusuye mboni*+ yini? Buyela edolobheni. Libuyele lamadodana enu amabili, u-Ahimazi indodana yakho loJonathani+ indodana ka-Abhiyatha. 28 Mina ngizalinda ngisemazibukweni* eJodani eduze lenkangala ngize ngithole umbiko ovela kini.”+ 29 Ngakho uZadokhi lo-Abhiyatha bathatha ibhokisi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso babuyela eJerusalema bafika bahlala khona.

30 UDavida waqansa intaba yama-oliva+ ehamba ekhala emboze ikhanda futhi engagqokanga lutho enyaweni. Bonke abantu ababelaye labo babemboze amakhanda behamba bekhala. 31 UDavida watshelwa ukuthi u-Ahithofeli laye wayephakathi kwalabo ababehlamuke+ lo-Abhisalomu.+ Yikho wathi: “Awu Jehova,+ yenza icebo lika-Ahithofeli lifanane lelomuntu oyisithutha!”+

32 UDavida wafika esiqongweni lapho abantu ababejayele ukukhothama khona bekhonza uNkulunkulu. UHushayi+ um-Arikhi+ wayelapho ezohlangana laye futhi ijazi lakhe lalidabukile, egcwele inhlabathi ekhanda. 33 Kodwa uDavida wathi: “Nxa ungahamba lami uzakuba ngumthwalo kimi. 34 Buyela edolobheni ufike uthi ku-Abhisalomu, ‘Awu nkosi ngiyinceku yakho.+ Bengiyinceku kayihlo kodwa khathesi sengiyinceku yakho.’ Nxa ungenza njalo ungangisiza ufadalalise icebo lika-Ahithofeli.+ 35 UZadokhi lo-Abhiyatha abaphristi bazabe belawe. Kumele ubatshele konke ozakuzwa endlini yenkosi.+ 36 Kulamadodana abo amabili, u-Ahimazi+ indodana kaZadokhi, loJonathani+ indodana ka-Abhiyatha. Yiwo ozawathuma kimi azongitshela konke ozabe ukuzwile.” 37 Ngakho uHushayi umngane kaDavida+ waya eJerusalema, wafika ngesikhathi u-Abhisalomu engena edolobheni.

16 UDavida wathi esanda kwedlula esiqongweni sentaba,+ kwathutsha uZibha+ isisebenzi sikaMefibhoshethi+ ezohlangana laye. Wayelabobabhemi ababili njalo ngamunye wayebotshelwe isihlalo emhlane. Babethwele izinkwa ezingu-200, lamakhekhe angu-100 enziwe ngamagilebisi awonyisiweyo, lamanye amakhekhe angu-100 enziwe ngezithelo zehlobo* kanye lembiza enkulu yewayini.+ 2 Inkosi yathi kuZibha: “Ngezani izinto zonke lezi?” UZibha wathi: “Obabhemi bazagadwa ngabemuli yenkosi, isinkwa lezithelo zehlobo yikudla kwamadoda ahamba lenkosi, futhi iwayini ngelalabo abazabe sebediniwe enkangala.”+ 3 Inkosi yasisithi: “Ingaphi indodana yenkosi yakho?”+ UZibha waphendula inkosi wathi: “Isele eJerusalema ngoba ithe, ‘Lamuhla abantu bako-Israyeli bazabuyisela kimi ubukhosi bukababa.’”+ 4 Inkosi yasisithi kuZibha: “Konke okukaMefibhoshethi sekungokwakho.”+ UZibha wathi: “Ngiyazehlisa phambi kwakho, kwangathi ngingathola umusa kuwe nkosi yami.”+

5 INkosi uDavida yathi ifika eBhahurimi, kwathutsha isihlobo sikaSawuli okuthiwa nguShimeyi,+ indodana kaGera. Indoda le yayilokhu isondela ihamba ibathethisa.+ 6 UShimeyi wayephosa amatshe ejikijela uDavida lazo zonke izinceku zakhe, labo bonke abantu kanye lamadoda alamandla ayengakwesokudla lakwesenxele sakhe. 7 UShimeyi wayethethisa uDavida esithi: “Hamba wena mbulali! Muntu ongelancedo! 8 UJehova usekujezisa ngenxa yokubulala abantu bendlu kaSawuli, lowo wena owathatha isikhundla sakhe waba yinkosi. Khathesi uJehova usethethe ubukhosi wabunika u-Abhisalomu indodana yakho. Uhlupho seluze lwakufica ngoba ungumbulali!”+

9 U-Abhishayi indodana kaZeruya+ wathi enkosini: “Kambe inja le efileyo+ isingathethisa inkosi yami?+ Ngicela ungivumele ngiyemquma ikhanda.”+ 10 Kodwa inkosi yathi: “Kanti kulihlupha ngani lokhu lina madodana kaZeruya?+ Myekeleni angithethise+ ngoba uJehova umtshele+ wathi, ‘Thethisa uDavida!’ Manje ngubani ongambuza ukuthi ukwenzelani khonokho?” 11 UDavida wasesithi ku-Abhishayi lakuzo zonke izinceku zakhe: “Indodana yami engayizalayo ifuna ukungibulala,+ manje kuthiwani ngomuntu lo wakoBhenjamini?+ Myekeleni angithethise ngoba nguJehova omtshele ukuthi enze njalo! 12 Mhlawumbe uJehova uzakubona ukuhlupheka kwami,+ futhi uJehova uzangibuyisela ngokuhle esikhundleni sokuthethiswa lokhu engikwenziwe lamuhla.”+ 13 UDavida lamadoda ayelaye baqhubeka behamba ngomgwaqo, uShimeyi yena wayehamba esekele intaba, eqondane loDavida. Wayehamba ebathethisa,+ ebajikijela ngamatshe futhi ebathela ngenhlabathi.

14 Ngemva kwesikhathi inkosi labo bonke abantu bafika lapho ababesiya khona sebediniwe, yikho baphumula.

15 Ngalesosikhathi u-Abhisalomu lawo wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli ayelaye bafika eJerusalema futhi u-Ahithofeli+ wayehamba labo. 16 UHushayi+ um-Arikhi+ umngane kaDavida waya ku-Abhisalomu wafika wathi kuye: “Kayibe lempilo ende inkosi! Kayibe lempilo ende inkosi!”+ 17 U-Abhisalomu wasesithi kuHushayi: “Lokhu yikho yini ukuthanda umngane wakho? Kungani ungahambanga lomngane wakho?” 18 UHushayi waphendula wathi: “Mina ngisekela lowo okhethwe nguJehova labantu laba kanye labantu bonke bako-Israyeli. Nguye engizahlala laye. 19 Ngiyaphinda futhi ngithi kanti ngubani okumele ngibe yinceku yakhe? Angithi kumele ngibe yinceku yendodana yakhe? Ngizakuba yinceku yakho,+ njengoba nje bengiyinceku kayihlo.”

20 U-Abhisalomu wasesithi ku-Ahithofeli: “Ake ungicebise.+ Kuyini okumele sikwenze?” 21 U-Ahithofeli wathi ku-Abhisalomu: “Lala labafazi bakayihlo beceleni,+ labo abatshiye bekhangele umuzi wakhe.*+ Bonke abantu bazathi bekuzwa lokhu bakwazi ukuthi uyihlo usekuzonda kakhulu futhi bonke abakusekelayo bazaqina.” 22 Ngakho bafakela u-Abhisalomu itende ephahleni,+ u-Abhisalomu waselala labafazi bakayise beceleni+ phambi kwabo bonke abantu bako-Israyeli.+

23 Ngalezonsuku icebo elalivela ku-Ahithofeli+ lalingathi lilizwi elivela kuNkulunkulu weqiniso. UDavida lo-Abhisalomu babewaqakathekisa kakhulu wonke amacebo ka-Ahithofeli.

17 U-Ahithofeli wasesithi ku-Abhisalomu: “Ngicela ukukhetha amadoda angu-12 000 ngilandele uDavida lamuhla ebusuku. 2 Ngizatheleka kuye ngimhlasele ediniwe njalo engelamandla.+ Uzakwethuka futhi bonke abantu abalaye bazabaleka. Ngizabulala inkosi yodwa,+ 3 besengibuyisela bonke abantu kuwe. Okuzakwenzakala emuntwini omdingayo yikho okuzakwenza bonke abantu baphenduke. Lapho-ke bonke abantu bazahlala ngokuthula.” 4 Icebo lika-Ahithofeli lazwakala lilihle ku-Abhisalomu lakubo bonke abadala bako-Israyeli.

5 Kodwa u-Abhisalomu wathi: “Ngicela libize uHushayi+ um-Arikhi sizwe ukuthi yena uthini.” 6 Ngakho uHushayi waya ku-Abhisalomu. U-Abhisalomu wamtshela icebo lika-Ahithofeli wasesithi: “Sililandele yini icebo lakhe? Nxa ulibona lingaqondanga sitshele ukuthi senzeni.” 7 UHushayi wasesithi ku-Abhisalomu: “Icebo lika-Ahithofeli ngeke lisebenze khathesi!”+

8 UHushayi waqhubeka wathi: “Ukwazi kuhle ukuthi uyihlo lamadoda alawo bangamaqhawe+ futhi bathukuthele njengebhere elilahlekelwe yimidlwane yalo egangeni.+ Phezu kwalokho uyihlo uyazi kuhle impi+ njalo kasoze alale lapho okuzalala khona abantu. 9 Sikhuluma nje ucatshile ezimbalwini* kumbe kwenye indawo.+ Nxa yena angahlasela kuqala, abazakuzwa lokho bazathi, ‘Abantu abalandela u-Abhisalomu sebenqotshiwe!’ 10 Nxa kungaba njalo lendoda elesibindi sesilwane+ izakwethuka iqhaqhazele ngoba bonke abako-Israyeli bayakwazi ukuthi uyihlo liqhawe+ lokuthi amadoda alawo alesibindi. 11 Yikho nanti icebo lami: Bonke abako-Israyeli kusukela koDani kuze kuyefika eBheri-shebha+ kababuye bazobuthana kuwe, babe banengi angathi yitshebetshebe esekhunjini lolwandle,+ wena ubusubakhokhela baye empini. 12 Sizamzingela loba ngaphi angatholakala khona, sitheleke phezu kwakhe angathi ngamazolo awela emhlabathini. Sizabaqeda bonke futhi akula loyedwa emadodeni alawo ozaphunyuka, laye ngeke asile. 13 Nxa angabaleka ayengena kuloba yiliphi idolobho, bonke abako-Israyeli bazahlasela idolobho lelo badilize imiduli yalo bayihudulele esigodini, balitshabalalise kungasali lelitshe elilodwa.”

14 U-Abhisalomu lawo wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli bathi: “Icebo likaHushayi um-Arikhi lingcono+ kakhulu kulecebo lika-Ahithofeli.” Phela uJehova wayezimisele ukufadalalisa icebo lika-Ahithofeli+ lanxa lalilihle. UJehova wayesenzela ukuthi atshabalalise u-Abhisalomu.+

15 Ngemva kwalokho uHushayi watshela umphristi uZadokhi lomphristi u-Abhiyatha+ ukuthi u-Ahithofeli wayemcebise wathini u-Abhisalomu labadala bako-Israyeli kanye lalokho yena ayekutshilo. 16 UHushayi waqhubeka wathi: “Phangisani liye kuDavida liyemxwayisa lithi, ‘Lamuhla ungalali emazibukweni* aseJodani eduze lenkangala. Chaphani masinyane ngoba inkosi labo bonke abantu abalayo bangabulawa.’”+

17 Ngalesosikhathi uJonathani+ lo-Ahimazi+ babehlala e-Eni-rogeli.+ Abazange bake bangene edolobheni ngoba babengafuni ukubonakala. Ngakho enye incekukazi yasuka yayabatshela, bona basebesiyatshela iNkosi uDavida. 18 Kodwa elinye ijaha lababona laselisiyatshela u-Abhisalomu. Ngakho uJonathani lo-Ahimazi bahle basuka baya eBhahurimi+ endlini yenye indoda eyayilomgodi emzini wayo. Bangena emgodini, 19 inkosikazi yendoda leyo yasisendlala ilembu phezu komgodi yathela amabele acholiweyo phezulu. Akulamuntu owayekwazi okwakusenzakala. 20 Izinceku zika-Abhisalomu zafika kowesifazana lo emzini wakhe zathi: “Ungaphi u-Ahimazi loJonathani?” Owesifazana waphendula wathi: “Badlule lapha baqonda emfuleni.”+ Izinceku lezo zabadinga kodwa azizange zibathole, yikho zabuyela eJerusalema.

21 Zathi sezihambile, u-Ahimazi loJonathani baphuma emgodini bayabikela iNkosi uDavida ababekutsheliwe. Bathi kuyo: “Sukani lichaphe umfula ngoba nanti icebo u-Ahithofeli abaphe lona ukuze balihlasele.”+ 22 Ngakho uDavida labantu ababelaye bahle basuka bachapha uJodani. Ilanga lathi liphuma bonke basebechaphile uJodani, akulamuntu owayesele.

23 U-Ahithofeli wathi ebona ukuthi abalamukelanga icebo lakhe, wabophela isihlalo kubabhemi wakhe wagada waya emzini wakhe edolobheni lakibo.+ Wafika wabiza imuli yakhe+ wayitshela lokho ayefuna basale bekwenza, wasesiyazibophela.+ Wafa wangcwatshwa emangcwabeni abokhokho bakhe.

24 UDavida waya eMahanayimi,+ u-Abhisalomu yena wachapha uJodani lawo wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli. 25 U-Abhisalomu wabeka u-Amasa+ ukuthi abe ngumkhokheli webutho esikhundleni sikaJowabi.+ U-Amasa wayezalwa yindoda okwakuthiwa ngu-Ithira eyayingum-Israyeli. Indoda le yamzala lo-Abhigeli+ indodakazi kaNahashi, owayengudadewabo kaZeruya, unina kaJowabi. 26 U-Abhisalomu labako-Israyeli bamisa inkamba yabo esabelweni seGiliyadi.+

27 UDavida wathi efika nje eMahanayimi, uShobhi indodana kaNahashi waseRabha+ yama-Amoni, loMakhiri+ indodana ka-Amiyeli waseLo-debhari kanye loBhazilayi+ umGiliyadi waseRogelimi 28 beza bemphathele amacansi, lemiganu, lembiza zomdaka, lengqoloyi, lebhali, lefulawa, lamabele akhanzingiweyo, lendumba, lamalentili,* lamabele awonyisiweyo, 29 loluju, lolaza, letshizi kanye lezimvu. Babuya lezinto zonke lezi kuDavida labantu ayelabo ukuthi bazokudla.+ Babesithi: “Abantu sebelambile, sebediniwe futhi sebomile enkangala.”+

18 UDavida wabala amadoda ayelawo, wasebeka izinduna zamakhulu lezezinkulungwane.+ 2 UDavida wehlukanisa amadoda la aba ngamaqembu amathathu. Elinye iqembu lalikhokhelwa nguJowabi,+ elinye likhokhelwa ngumfowabo kaJowabi u-Abhishayi+ indodana kaZeruya,+ njalo elinye lalikhokhelwa ngu-Ithayi+ umGithi. Inkosi yathi: “Lami ngizahamba lani.” 3 Kodwa amadoda la athi: “Akumelanga uhambe+ lathi ngoba nxa singabaleka abasoze bazihluphe ngathi, lanxa kungafa ingxenye yamadoda esilawo abasoze babe lendaba. Wena ulingana labethu abangu-10 000.+ Yikho kungcono ukuthi usincedise usedolobheni.” 4 Inkosi yaphendula yathi: “Ngizakwenza lokho elikubona kungcono.” Ngakho inkosi yama eduze legedi ledolobho futhi wonke amadoda aphuma ngamakhulu langezinkulungwane. 5 Inkosi yakhuluma loJowabi lo-Abhishayi lo-Ithayi yathi: “Liyiphathe kuhle indodana yami u-Abhisalomu ngoba ngiyayithanda.”+ Wonke amadoda ayizwa inkosi itshela zonke izinduna ukuthi zimphathe njani u-Abhisalomu.

6 Amadoda la asuka aya egangeni ayadibana labako-Israyeli. Impi yalwelwa eguswini lako-Efrayimi.+ 7 Abako-Israyeli+ banqotshwa zinceku zikaDavida+ futhi kwabulawa abantu abanengi ngalelolanga. Kwafa amadoda angu-20 000. 8 Impi yasabalala kuwo wonke umango lowo njalo ngalelolanga igusu laqeda amadoda amanengi ukwedlula lawo ayebulewe ngenkemba.

9 U-Abhisalomu wazibona esekhangelane lezinceku zikaDavida. Wayegade imbongolo* futhi yathi idlula ngaphansi kwengatsha eziminyeneyo zesihlahla esikhulu, ikhanda lakhe labanjelwa wasala elenga emoyeni, yona yaqhubeka ihamba. 10 Enye indoda yambona yasisiyatshela uJowabi+ yathi: “Ngibone u-Abhisalomu elenga esihlahleni esikhulu.” 11 UJowabi waphendula indoda le wathi: “Manje nxa umbonile kungani ungazange uhle umbulale khonapho? Bengizathaba ngikunike izinhlamvu zesiliva ezilitshumi lebhanti.” 12 Kodwa indoda le yathi kuJowabi: “Lanxa benginganikwa izinhlamvu zesiliva ezingu-1 000, bengingasoze ngiphakamise isandla sami ngibulale indodana yenkosi ngoba siyizwile inkosi ikhuluma lawe lo-Abhishayi lo-Ithayi isithi, ‘Lonke kumele linanzelele kungabi lomuntu othinta indodana yami u-Abhisalomu.’+ 13 Ngabe angilalelanga ngambulala, lokho bekuzacina kufikile endlebeni zenkosi futhi lawe ubungasoze ungivikele.” 14 UJowabi wasesithi: “Angisoze ngidlalise isikhathi ngikhuluma lawe!” Ngakho wathatha imitshoko emithathu wagwaza u-Abhisalomu enhliziyweni esaphila elenge esihlahleni. 15 Amadoda alitshumi ayethwala izikhali zikaJowabi abuya afika amqedisa+ u-Abhisalomu. 16 UJowabi wasetshaya uphondo, amadoda ayexotshanisa abako-Israyeli aphenduka. UJowabi wawatshela ukuthi ame ukulwa. 17 Athatha u-Abhisalomu amphosela egodini elikhulu abuthelela inqumbi yamatshe+ phezu kwakhe. Wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli abaleka aya emizini yawo.

18 Ngesikhathi u-Abhisalomu esaphila wayemise insika esigodini senkosi,+ esithi: “Mina angilandodana ezakwenza ibizo lami lihlale likhunjulwa.”+ Ngakho insika le wayinika ibizo lakhe futhi ibizwa ngokuthi yiSikhumbuzo Sika-Abhisalomu kuze kube lamuhla.

19 U-Ahimazi+ indodana kaZadokhi wathi kuJowabi: “Ngicela ungivumele ngigijime ngiyebikela inkosi okwenzakeleyo ngoba uJehova uyenzele okuhle wayikhulula ezitheni zayo.”+ 20 UJowabi wamphendula wathi: “Awusoze uyebika lutho lamuhla, uzabika ngelinye ilanga. Lamuhla awusoze uyebika okwenzakeleyo ngoba kufe indodana yenkosi.”+ 21 UJowabi wasetshela indoda engumKhushi+ wathi: “Hamba uyetshela inkosi lokho okubonileyo.” UmKhushi wakhothama phambi kukaJowabi wasesuka egijima. 22 U-Ahimazi indodana kaZadokhi waphinda wakhuluma loJowabi wathi: “Loba kunjalo ngicela ungivumele ngigijime ngilandele umKhushi.” Kodwa uJowabi wathi: “Kambe uyabe usiya ngaphi ndodana yami wena ungelambiko ozawubika?” 23 U-Ahimazi waphinda wathi: “Loba kunjalo ngivumela ngigijime.” Ngakho uJowabi wathi kuye: “Gijima!” U-Ahimazi wagijima ngendlela eya esigabeni seJodani wacina esemedlule umKhushi.

24 UDavida wayehlezi phakathi kwamagedi edolobho amabili.+ Umlindi+ wakhwela ephahleni lwegedi elalisemdulini. Wakhangela wabona umuntu ethutsha egijima eyedwa. 25 Umlindi wamemeza watshela inkosi. Inkosi yasisithi: “Nxa eyedwa kutsho ukuthi ulombiko azowubika.” Umuntu lo wathi eseseduze, 26 umlindi wabona omunye umuntu esiza egijima, wasememeza umlindi wegedi wathi: “Kulomunye futhi oza egijima eyedwa!” Inkosi yathi: “Laye uza lombiko.” 27 Umlindi wathi: “Ngibona angathi ophambili ugijima njengo-Ahimazi+ indodana kaZadokhi.” Inkosi yathi: “Lowo ngumuntu olungileyo futhi ubuya lezindaba ezinhle.” 28 U-Ahimazi wamemeza inkosi wathi kuyo: “Konke kuhamba kuhle!” Waseguqa phambi kwenkosi wakhothamisa ikhanda wathi: “Kadunyiswe uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho, onikele esandleni senkosi yami+ abantu abayihlamukeleyo!”

29 Kodwa inkosi yathi: “Indodana yami u-Abhisalomu yona injani?” U-Ahimazi waphendula wathi: “Ngibone kulesiphithiphithi ngesikhathi uJowabi ethuma inceku yenkosi lenceku yakho, kodwa angibonanga ukuthi bekusenzakalani.”+ 30 Ngakho inkosi yathi: “Suka uyekuma laphaya.” U-Ahimazi wasuka wayakuma eceleni.

31 UmKhushi wafika+ wasesithi: “Inkosi yami kayilalele umbiko lo: Lamuhla uJehova ukwenzele okuhle ngokukukhulula esandleni salabo ababekuhlamukele.”+ 32 Kodwa inkosi yathi kumKhushi: “Indodana yami u-Abhisalomu yona injani?” UmKhushi wasephendula wathi: “Kwangathi zonke izitha zenkosi yami labo bonke abakuhlamukelayo befuna ukukulimaza bangaba njengo-Abhisalomu!”+

33 Inkosi yakhathazeka kakhulu yaqansa yaya endlini esephahleni lwegedi yakhala. Yayihamba ikhala isithi: “Ndodana yami Abhisalomu, ndodana yami! Ndodana yami Abhisalomu! Ngabe kufe mina kulokuthi kufe wena Abhisalomu ndodana yami, ndodana yami!”+

19 UJowabi watshelwa ukuthi inkosi iyakhala, ililela u-Abhisalomu.+ 2 Ngakho ngalolosuku intokozo yokunqoba yaguquka yaba yikulila ngoba bonke abantu bezwa ukuthi inkosi ililela indodana yayo. 3 Mhlalokho abantu bangena edolobheni benyenya+ angathi ngabantu abalenhloni zokuthi babaleke empini. 4 Inkosi yamboza ubuso bayo yaqhubeka ikhala iqhinqa isililo isithi: “Ndodana yami Abhisalomu! Abhisalomu ndodana yami, ndodana yami!”+

5 UJowabi wangena endlini eyayilenkosi, wasesithi enkosini: “Lamuhla uyangise zonke izinceku zakho ezisindise impilo yakho, lempilo yamadodana akho,+ leyamadodakazi akho,+ leyamakhosikazi akho kanye leyabafazi bakho beceleni.+ 6 Uthanda labo abakuzondayo, uzonde labo abakuthandayo. Lamuhla ukwenze kwacaca ukuthi awulandaba lezinduna zakho lezinceku zakho. Ngiyabona ukuthi aluba sonke sifile kwasala u-Abhisalomu ubuzathokoza. 7 Yikho-ke sukuma khathesi uyeqinisa izinceku zakho ngoba ngifunga ngoJehova ukuthi ungayekela ukuphuma, kusiyafika ntambama bonke abantu bayabe sebekutshiyile bahamba. Lokho kuzabe kukubi kakhulu ukwedlula bonke ubunzima obakwehlelayo kusukela usesemutsha kuze kube khathesi.” 8 Ngakho inkosi yasukuma yayahlala egedini ledolobho. Bonke abantu batshelwa ukuthi inkosi isihlezi egedini, basebehamba bayabuthana phambi kwenkosi.

Kodwa abako-Israyeli bona babebalekile baya emizini yabo.+ 9 Abantu bonke kuzo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli babephikisana besithi: “Inkosi yasikhulula ezitheni zethu,+ yasikhulula lasesandleni samaFilisti, kodwa khathesi ibalekile elizweni ngenxa ka-Abhisalomu.+ 10 Lo-Abhisalomu esamgcobayo ukuthi asibuse+ ufile empini.+ Manje kungani lingenzi lutho ukuze libuyise inkosi?”

11 INkosi uDavida yathumela ilizwi kuZadokhi+ lo-Abhiyatha+ yathi: “Khulumani labadala bakoJuda+ lithi kubo, ‘Kungani kumele libe ngabokucina ukuletha inkosi endlini yayo? Phela ilizwi elivela kubo bonke abako-Israyeli selifikile enkosini lapho ehlala khona. 12 Lina lingabafowethu futhi siligazi linye.* Manje kungani kumele libe ngabokucina ukuphendukisa inkosi?’ 13 U-Amasa+ lithi kuye, ‘Wena uligazi lami.* UNkulunkulu kangijezise kakhulu nxa ngingasoze ngikwenze ube yinduna yebutho lami esikhundleni sikaJowabi.’”+

14 Bonke abantu bakoJuda bayisekela inkosi benhliziyonye basebethumela ilizwi kuyo bathi: “Buya lazo zonke izinceku zakho.”

15 Inkosi yasuka yahamba yaze yayafika kuJodani. Abantu bakoJuda babuya eGiligali+ bezoyihlangabeza ukuze bayichaphise umfula uJodani. 16 UShimeyi+ indodana kaGera umBhenjamini waseBhahurimi, wahle wasuka lamadoda akoJuda esiyahlangabeza iNkosi uDavida. 17 Kwakulamadoda akoBhenjamini angu-1 000 ayehamba loShimeyi. UZibha+ inceku yendlu kaSawuli, lamadodana akhe angu-15 lezisebenzi zakhe ezingu-20 labo basuka masinyane bayalindela inkosi emfuleni uJodani. 18 UZibha wachapha emazibukweni* ukuze ayencedisa abemuli yenkosi ukuchapha njalo enze konke inkosi eyayikufuna. Kodwa inkosi yathi isizachapha umfula uJodani, uShimeyi indodana kaGera wafika wazilahla phansi phambi kwayo, 19 wathi kuyo: “Inkosi yami kayingangibeki icala futhi kayikhohlwe okubi okwenziwa yinceku yayo+ ngelanga inkosi yami eyasuka ngalo eJerusalema. Ngicela inkosi ingakugcini enhliziyweni yayo lokho 20 ngoba inceku yakho iyakwazi ukuthi yaphambanisa. Yikho lamuhla ibe ngeyokuqala kwabendlu kaJosefa ukuzohlangabeza inkosi.”

21 U-Abhishayi+ indodana kaZeruya+ wathi: “Kanti uShimeyi akumelanga abulawe yini? Phela wathethisa ogcotshiweyo kaJehova.”+ 22 Kodwa uDavida wathi: “Kanti lokhu kulihlupha ngani lina madodana kaZeruya,+ ukuthi selingaze liphikisane lami? Lamuhla kulomuntu okumele abulawe yini ko-Israyeli? Kambe angikwazi yini ukuthi lamuhla ngiyinkosi yako-Israyeli?” 23 Inkosi yathi kuShimeyi: “Awusoze ubulawe,” yasifunga kuye.+

24 UMefibhoshethi+ umzukulu kaSawuli laye wabuya ezohlangabeza inkosi. Kusukela ngelanga inkosi eyasuka ngalo kwaze kwaba lilanga eyaphenduka ngalo ngokuthula, kazange ake ageze inyawo zakhe kumbe agele indevu zakhe loba awatshe izigqoko zakhe. 25 Wathi efika eJerusalema ezohlangabeza inkosi, inkosi yambuza yathi: “Kungani ungazange uhambe lami Mefibhoshethi?” 26 UMefibhoshethi waphendula wathi: “Nkosi yami, inceku yami+ yangiqila. Mina ngangiyitshele ukuthi ibophele isihlalo phezu kukababhemi wami ngigade ukuze ngihambe lenkosi njengoba inceku yakho iyisigoga.+ 27 Kodwa yona yafika yanginyundisela enkosini yami.+ Loba kunjalo, inkosi yami yona injengengilosi kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. Yikho kayenze loba yini eyibona ifanele. 28 Inkosi yami yayingababulala bonke abendlu kababa, kodwa yathi mina ngizokudla etafuleni yayo.+ Manje kuyini okunye engingakucela enkosini?”

29 Inkosi yamphendula yathi: “Kungani ulokhu ukhuluma kanje? Mina esengikukhethile yikuthi wena loZibha lahlukaniselane insimu.”+ 30 UMefibhoshethi wasesithi enkosini: “Kayithathe yonke njengoba inkosi yami iphenduke ngokuthula.”

31 UBhazilayi+ umGiliyadi laye wasuka eRogelimi wabuya eJodani ukuze azophelekezela inkosi aze ayifikise emfuleni uJodani. 32 UBhazilayi wayeseluphele, eseleminyaka engu-80. Ngesikhathi inkosi ihlala eMahanayimi,+ uBhazilayi wayinika ukudla ngoba wayenothe kakhulu. 33 Yikho inkosi yathi kuBhazilayi: “Chapha sihambe sonke, mina ngizakunika ukudla eJerusalema.”+ 34 UBhazilayi waphendula wathi: “Mingaki iminyaka engisele layo ngiphila ukuthi sengingaze ngihambe lenkosi eJerusalema? 35 Khathesi sengileminyaka engu-80.+ Ngisenelisa yini ukwehlukanisa phakathi kokuhle lokubi? Kambe engikudlayo lengikunathayo ngisakuzwa ukuthi kunambitheka njani? Angiselazo lendlebe zokulalela abahlabeleli besilisa labesifazana.+ Pho kungani kumele ngingezelele umthwalo enkosini yami? 36 Kungani kumele inkosi inginike umvuzo ongaka? Mina ngibonga ukuthi ngiyiphelekezele inkosi yami yaze yafika emfuleni uJodani. 37 Ngicela uvumele inceku yakho ibuyele ukuze ngiyefela edolobheni lakithi, lapho okulengcwaba likababa lelikamama.+ Nansi inceku yakho uKhimihami,+ nguye ongamthatha uhambe laye, umenzele konke okubona kufanele nkosi yami.”

38 Ngakho inkosi yathi: “UKhimihami uzahamba lami futhi ngizamenzela loba yini oyibona ifanele. Loba yini ozacela ukuthi ngikwenzele yona ngizayenza.” 39 Bonke abantu bachapha uJodani. Inkosi yathi isizachapha yaqabuza uBhazilayi+ yambusisa, uBhazilayi wasebuyela emzini wakhe. 40 Inkosi yathi isichapha isiya eGiligali,+ uKhimihami wahamba layo. Bonke abantu bakoJuda lengxenye yabantu bako-Israyeli bayiphelekezela inkosi.+

41 Ngemva kwalokho wonke amanye amadoda ako-Israyeli aya enkosini afika athi kuyo: “Kungani abafowethu, amadoda akoJuda, bethethe inkosi yethu thina singazi bayichaphisa uJodani labendlu yayo kanye lamadoda ahamba lenkosi?”+ 42 Wonke amadoda akoJuda aphendula amadoda ako-Israyeli athi: “Inkosi iyisihlobo sethu.+ Manje lizondeleni? Sake sadla ukudla kwenkosi yini kumbe saphiwa isipho yinkosi?”

43 Kodwa amadoda ako-Israyeli aphendula amadoda akoJuda athi: “Thina siyizizwana ezilitshumi embusweni, yikho silesabelo esikhulu kuDavida ukwedlula lina. Manje kungani lisidelele kangaka? Angithi yithi obekumele sibe ngabokuqala ukuphendukisa inkosi yethu?” Lanxa kunjalo amadoda akoJuda awakhulela ngamazwi amadoda ako-Israyeli.

20 Kulomuntu owayeluhlupho okwakuthiwa nguShebha,+ indodana kaBhikhiri umBhenjamini. Watshaya uphondo+ wathi: “Bantu bako-Israyeli, asilasabelo kuDavida futhi akulalifa esizalithola endodaneni kaJese!+ Ngakho lonke buyelani kubonkulunkulu benu.”*+ 2 Wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli amtshiya uDavida alandela uShebha indodana kaBhikhiri.+ Kodwa wonke amadoda akoJuda kusukela emfuleni uJodani kuze kuyefika eJerusalema+ kawazange ayitshiye inkosi yawo.

3 UDavida wathi efika endlini yakhe* eJerusalema,+ wathatha abafazi bakhe beceleni abalitshumi ayebatshiye bekhangele umuzi wakhe,+ wayabafaka endlini eyayilindwa. Waqhubeka ebanakekela kodwa kazange alale labo.+ Bahlala endlini leyo eyayilindwa baze bafa. Babengathi ngabafelokazi lanxa umkabo wayesaphila.

4 Inkosi yathi ku-Amasa:+ “Biza amadoda akoJuda abuye kimi kungakedluli amalanga amathathu futhi lawe kumele ubekhona.” 5 U-Amasa wahamba wayabiza abantu bakoJuda kodwa isikhathi ayesiphiwe sedlula elokhu engakaphenduki. 6 Yikho uDavida wathi ku-Abhishayi:+ “UShebha+ indodana kaBhikhiri angasidalela umonakalo owedlula owenziwa ngu-Abhisalomu.+ Ngakho thatha izinceku zenkosi yakho limxotshanise ukuze angacini esiyangena kwelinye lamadolobho avikelweyo sehluleke ukumbamba.” 7 Yikho-ke amadoda ayeloJowabi,+ lamaKherethi, lamaPhelethi+ lawo wonke amaqhawe asuka eJerusalema ayaxotshanisa uShebha indodana kaBhikhiri. 8 Bathi sebeseduze lelitshe elikhulu laseGibhiyoni+ kwafika u-Amasa+ ezobahlangabeza. UJowabi wayegqoke izembatho zakhe zempi futhi inkemba yakhe yayisekhalweni ihlonywe esikhwameni sayo. Wathi esondela ku-Amasa inkemba yaphuma esikhwameni yawa.

9 UJowabi wathi ku-Amasa: “Unjani mfowethu?” Wasembamba indevu ngesandla sokudla angathi ufuna ukumqabuza. 10 U-Amasa kazange azihluphe ngenkemba eyayisesandleni sikaJowabi. UJowabi wamgwaza esiswini+ amathumbu aphuma awela phansi. Wamgwaza kanye kuphela, kazange amphinde. Ngemva kwalokhu uJowabi lomfowabo u-Abhishayi baxotshanisa uShebha indodana kaBhikhiri.

11 Elinye ijaha elalihamba loJowabi lama eduze kuka-Amasa lathi: “Loba ngubani osekela uJowabi futhi ongokaDavida kalandele uJowabi!” 12 U-Amasa yena wayelele phansi emgwaqweni egiqika egazini lakhe. Ijaha elalihamba loJowabi lathi libona ukuthi wonke umuntu wayefika ame, lasusa u-Amasa emgwaqweni lamusa egangeni. Lamvala ngesembatho ngoba lananzelela ukuthi wonke umuntu wayefika ame lapho ayekhona. 13 Lathi selimsusile emgwaqweni, wonke amadoda alandela uJowabi axotshanisa uShebha+ indodana kaBhikhiri.

14 UShebha wadabula phakathi kwezizwana zonke zako-Israyeli wayafika e-Abheli yaseBhethi-mahakha.+ Labanye abendlu kaBhikhiri baqoqana bamlandela.

15 UJowabi lamadoda ayelawo bafika bavimbezela uShebha e-Abheli yaseBhethi-mahakha. Benza amadundulu ukuze bahlasele idolobho njengoba laligonjolozelwe ngumbundu. Wonke amadoda ayeloJowabi agebha umduli efuna ukuwudiliza. 16 Omunye owesifazana wamemeza esemdulini wedolobho wathi: “Zwanini lina madoda! Ngicela litshele uJowabi ukuthi asondele lapha ngikhulume laye.” 17 Ngakho uJowabi wasondela, owesifazana wasesithi: “Nguwe uJowabi?” Yena waphendula wathi: “Ye yimi.” Owesifazana waqhubeka wathi: “Lalela amazwi encekukazi yakho.” UJowabi wasesithi: “Ngilalele.” 18 Owesifazana wathi: “Kudala babejayele ukuthi, ‘Nxa abantu belohlupho abafuna lulungiswe, kabayebuza e-Abheli.’ Indaba yayiphelela khonapho. 19 Mina ngimele abantu bako-Israyeli abalokuthula futhi abathembekileyo. Kungani ufuna ukudiliza idolobho elinjengomama ko-Israyeli? Kambe usungaze utshabalalise ilifa likaJehova?”+ 20 UJowabi waphendula wathi: “Ngeke ngenze into enjalo, angisoze ngilidilize idolobho leli. 21 Ayisikho lokho engifuna ukukwenza. Kulendoda okuthiwa nguShebha,+ indodana kaBhikhiri evela elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi+ evukele iNkosi uDavida. Nxa lingamnikela kithi sizayekela ukuhlasela idolobho.” Owesifazana waphendula uJowabi wathi: “Kulungile. Ikhanda lakhe lizaphoswa phandle komduli.”

22 Owesifazana ohlakaniphileyo wahle waya ebantwini bonke, baquma ikhanda likaShebha indodana kaBhikhiri baliphosela uJowabi. UJowabi wasetshaya uphondo, amadoda ayelaye ahle asuka edolobheni lelo aya emizini yawo.+ UJowabi yena wabuyela enkosini eJerusalema.

23 UJowabi wayeyinduna yebutho lonke lako-Israyeli.+ UBhenaya+ indodana kaJehoyada+ yena wayekhangela amaKherethi lamaPhelethi.+ 24 U-Adoramu+ wayekhangela labo ababebuthwa ukuthi bazosebenzela inkosi. UJehoshafathi+ indodana ka-Ahiludi yena wayebhalela inkosi konke okwakusenzakala. 25 USheva wayengunobhala, uZadokhi+ lo-Abhiyatha+ bengabaphristi. 26 U-Ira umJayiri laye wayelesikhundla esikhulu embusweni kaDavida.

21 Ngensuku zikaDavida kwaba lendlala+ iminyaka emithathu ilandelana. Ngakho uDavida wabuza uJehova, uJehova wamphendula wathi: “USawuli labendlu yakhe balecala lokuchitha igazi ngoba babulala abantu baseGibhiyoni.”+ 2 Inkosi yabiza abantu baseGibhiyoni+ yakhuluma labo. (AbaseGibhiyoni babengayisiwo ma-Israyeli kodwa babengama-Amori+ asala elizweni. Abako-Israyeli babefunge ukuthi abasoze babatshabalalise+ kodwa uSawuli wayezimisele ukubaqeda etshisekela isizwe sako-Israyeli labantu bakoJuda.) 3 UDavida wathi kwabaseGibhiyoni: “Manje lifuna ngilenzeleni? Ngibhadale ngani ukuze libusise ilifa likaJehova?” 4 Abantu baseGibhiyoni bamphendula bathi: “Lokho uSawuli labendlu yakhe abakwenza kithi ngeke kubhadalwe ngesiliva langegolide+ futhi thina asilalungelo lokubulala umuntu ko-Israyeli.” UDavida wasesithi: “Loba yini elizayitsho ngizayenza.” 5 Bona baphendula inkosi bathi: “Kulomuntu owasihlaselayo njalo owayefuna ukusitshabalalisa kulo lonke ilizwe lako-Israyeli.+ 6 Sipheni amadodana akhe ayisikhombisa. Sizalengisa izidumbu zawo+ phambi kukaJehova eGibheya+ kaSawuli, lowo owayekhethwe nguJehova.”+ Inkosi yaphendula yathi: “Kulungile ngizalinika wona.”

7 Kodwa inkosi yamzwela uMefibhoshethi+ indodana kaJonathani indodana kaSawuli, ngoba yayenze isifungo loJonathani+ indodana kaSawuli phambi kukaJehova. 8 Yikho inkosi yathatha u-Amoni loMefibhoshethi amadodana amabili kaRizipha+ indodakazi ka-Ayiya, ayewazalele uSawuli. Yathatha lamadodana amahlanu kaMikhali*+ indodakazi kaSawuli, ayewazalele u-Adriyeli+ indodana kaBhazilayi waseMehola. 9 Inkosi yabanikela ebantwini baseGibhiyoni, bona balengisa izidumbu zabo entabeni phambi kukaJehova.+ Bonke beyisikhombisa bafa ngasikhathi sinye. Babulawa ngensuku zokuqala zokuvuna, ngesikhathi abantu beqalisa ukuvuna ibhali. 10 Kodwa uRizipha+ indodakazi ka-Ayiya wathatha isaka walendlala edwaleni. Wahlala lapho kusukela ekuqaliseni kokuvuna, izulu laze lana izidumbu zanethwa. Kavumelanga inyoni ukuthi zihlale phezu kwazo emini kumbe ukuthi inyamazana zeganga zisondele kuzo ebusuku.

11 UDavida watshelwa okwakwenziwe nguRizipha indodakazi ka-Ayiya, owayengomunye wabafazi bakaSawuli. 12 Ngakho uDavida wahamba wayathatha amathambo kaSawuli lawendodana yakhe uJonathani kubakhokheli beJabheshi-giliyadi.*+ Abakhokheli laba bona babehambe bayathatha izidumbu zabo egcekeni ledolobho leBhethi-shani, lapho amaFilisti ayezilengise khona ngelanga abulala ngalo uSawuli eGilibhowa.+ 13 UDavida wabuya lamathambo kaSawuli lawendodana yakhe uJonathani njalo babutha lamathambo amadoda ayebulewe.+ 14 Ngemva kwalokho bangcwaba amathambo kaSawuli lawendodana yakhe uJonathani engcwabeni likayise uKhishi,+ elizweni lakoBhenjamini eZela.+ Bathi sebekwenzile konke inkosi eyayikutshilo, uNkulunkulu wayizwa imithandazo yabo walibusisa ilizwe.+

15 Kwaphinda kwaba lempi phakathi kwamaFilisti labako-Israyeli.+ UDavida lezinceku zakhe bahamba bayakulwa lamaFilisti kodwa uDavida wacina edinwa. 16 Kwakulendoda okwakuthiwa ngu-Ishibhi-bhenobhi eyayingeyesizukulwane samaRefayimi.+ Yayilomkhonto owawulesisindo esingamashekheli+ angu-300* futhi yayihlome ngenkemba entsha, ifuna ukubulala uDavida. 17 U-Abhishayi+ indodana kaZeruya wahle wayasiza+ uDavida, wagwaza umFilisti lo wambulala. Ngalesosikhathi amadoda ayeyizinceku zikaDavida afunga kuye athi: “Awusoze uphinde uhambe lathi empini+ ukuze isibane sako-Israyeli singacitshwa!”+

18 Kwaphinda kwavuka enye impi lamaFilisti+ eGobhi. Empini leyo uSibhekhayi+ umHusha wabulala uSafi owayeyisizukulwane samaRefayimi.+

19 Kwaphinda kwaba lenye impi lamaFilisti+ eGobhi. U-Elihanani indodana kaJaware-oregimi waseBhethilehema wabulala uGoliyathi umGithi, owayelomkhonto owawuloluthi olwalungani yisigodo somaluki.+

20 Kwavuka enye impi eGathi. Kwakulendoda eyayinkulu kakhulu eyayileminwe eyisithupha esandleni ngasinye, lamazwane ayisithupha enyaweni ngalunye. Sekukonke kwakungu-24. Layo yayiyisizukulwane samaRefayimi.+ 21 Yayilokhu ichothoza abako-Israyeli.+ Yikho uJonathani indodana kaShimeyi+ umfowabo kaDavida wayibulala.

22 Amadoda la amane ayeyizizukulwane zamaRefayimi aseGathi njalo abulawa nguDavida lezinceku zakhe.+

22 UDavida wahlabelela uJehova ingoma le+ ngelanga uJehova amkhulula ngalo esandleni sezitha zakhe+ zonke lasesandleni sikaSawuli.+ 2 Wathi:

“UJehova ulidwala lami lenqaba yami,+ nguye ongikhululayo.+

 3 UNkulunkulu wami ulidwala lami+ engicatsha kulo,

13 Ekukhanyeni okwakuphambi kwakhe kwakulamalahle avuthayo.

29 Awu Jehova, uyisibane sami!+

UJehova nguye ongikhanyiselayo nxa ngisemnyameni.+

32 Ngubani omunye uNkulunkulu ngaphandle kukaJehova?+

Ngubani olidwala ngaphandle kukaNkulunkulu wethu?+

45 Abezinye izizwe bazabuya kimi betshotshobele.+

Lokho abazakuzwa ngami kuzakwenza bangilalele.

47 UJehova uyaphila! Kalidunyiswe iDwala lami!+

Kaphakanyiswe uNkulunkulu olidwala lami futhi ongisindisayo.+

49 Uyangikhulula ezitheni zami.

50 Yikho ngizakubonga phakathi kwezizwe, awu Jehova!+

Ngizahlabela ngidumisa ibizo lakho.+

Siyikusindiswa kwami lentokozo yami.

Lokhu yikho okwenza enze indlu yami iphumelele.+

8 Nanka amabizo amaqhawe kaDavida alamandla:+ UJoshebi-bhashebhethi umThakhemoni owayengumkhokheli wabathathu.+ Wabulala abantu abangu-800 ngomkhonto ngasikhathi sinye. 9 Wayelandelwa ngu-Eliyazari+ indodana kaDodo,+ indodana ka-Ahohi, owayengomunye wamaqhawe amathathu alamandla ayeseyisa amaFilisti eloDavida. AmaFilisti ayebuye abuthana ezokulwa lama-Israyeli kodwa amadoda ako-Israyeli abaleka. 10 U-Eliyazari yena wajama waqhubeka ewabulala amaFilisti ingalo yakhe yaze yadinwa, isandla sakhe saba buhlungu ngenxa yokubamba inkemba.+ Ngalelolanga uJehova wanqoba.+ Abantu baphenduka sebezothatha impahla yabantu abafileyo.

11 Wayelandelwa nguShama indodana ka-Agi umHarari. AmaFilisti abuthana eLehi lapho okwakulensimu eyayilinywe indumba.* Amabutho ako-Israyeli athi ebalekela amaFilisti, 12 yena wama phakathi kwensimu wayivikela. Waqhubeka ebulala amaFilisti, uJehova wabenza banqoba okumangalisayo.+

13 Abakhokheli abathathu kwabangu-30 baya kuDavida ebhalwini lwase-Adulamu+ ngesikhathi sokuvuna. Ngalesosikhathi amaFilisti ayemise inkamba yawo esigodini seRefayimi.+ 14 UDavida wayesenqabeni+ njalo kwakuleqembu lamabutho amaFilisti eBhethilehema. 15 UDavida wathi: “Aluba nje benginganatha amanzi omgodi osegedini leBhethilehema!” 16 Amaqhawe la amathathu athi esizwa lokhu, angena ngenkani enkambeni yamaFilisti ayakukha amanzi emgodini osegedini leBhethilehema abuya lawo kuDavida. Kodwa uDavida wala ukuwanatha, wawathela phansi phambi kukaJehova,+ 17 wathi: “Awu Jehova, ngeke ngenze into enjalo! Kambe nginganatha igazi+ lamadoda afake impilo zawo engozini?” UDavida wala ukunatha amanzi lawo. Lezi yizo izinto ezenziwa ngamaqhawe akhe amathathu.

18 U-Abhishayi+ umfowabo kaJowabi indodana kaZeruya+ wayengumkhokheli welinye iqembu lamaqhawe amathathu. Wabulala abantu abangu-300 ngomkhonto futhi wayelodumo njengamaqhawe amathathu+ akuqala. 19 Lanxa wayelodumo ukwedlula amaqhawe eqembu lakhe njalo engumkhokheli wawo, kazange alingane lamaqhawe amathathu eqembu lakuqala.

20 UBhenaya+ indodana kaJehoyada wayeyindoda elesibindi* futhi watshengisa ubuqhawe bakhe kanengi eKhabhuzeli.+ Wabulala amadodana amabili ka-Ariyeli wakoMowabi njalo wangena emgodini wamanzi mhla kulongqwaqwane wabulala isilwane.+ 21 Wabulala lendoda engumGibhithe eyayinkulu okwesabekayo. Lanxa umGibhithe lo wayethwele umkhonto, yena wamlanda ethwele induku nje kuphela, wafika wamjwamulela umkhonto wakhe wambulala ngawo. 22 Lezi yizo izinto ezenziwa nguBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada, njalo wayelodumo olunjengolwamaqhawe amathathu eqembu lakuqala. 23 Lanxa wayelodumo ukwedlula abakhokheli abangu-30, kazange alingane lamaqhawe amathathu eqembu lakuqala. Kodwa uDavida wambeka ukuthi abe yinduna yabalindi bakhe.

24 U-Asaheli+ umfowabo kaJowabi wayephakathi kwabakhokheli abangu-30, lo-Elihanani indodana kaDodo weBhethilehema,+ 25 loShama umHarodi, lo-Elikha umHarodi, 26 loHelezi+ umPhalithi, lo-Ira+ indodana ka-Ikheshi weThekhowa, 27 lo-Abhiyezeri+ we-Anathothi,+ loMebhunayi umHusha, 28 loZalimoni um-Ahohi, loMaharayi+ weNethofa, 29 loHelebi indodana kaBhahana weNethofa, lo-Ithayi indodana kaRibhayi weGibheya yakoBhenjamini, 30 loBhenaya+ umPhirathoni, loHidayi owezihotsheni* zeGahashi,+ 31 lo-Abhi-alibhoni um-Aribhathi, lo-Azimavethi weBhahurimi, 32 lo-Eliyaba umShalabhimi, lamadodana kaJasheni, loJonathani, 33 loShama umHarari, lo-Ahiyamu indodana kaSharari umHarari, 34 lo-Elifelethi indodana ka-Ahasibayi, indodana yomMahakhathi, lo-Eliyami indodana ka-Ahithofeli+ waseGilo, 35 loHeziro umKhameli, loPhaharayi wase-Arabi, 36 lo-Igali indodana kaNathani waseZobha, loBhani wakoGadi, 37 loZelekhi um-Amoni, loNaharayi umBheherothi, owayethwala izikhali zikaJowabi indodana kaZeruya, 38 lo-Ira um-Ithiri, loGarebhi um-Ithiri,+ 39 kanye lo-Uriya+ umHithi. Bonke babengu-37.

24 UJehova waphinda wabathukuthelela kakhulu abako-Israyeli+ ngesikhathi uDavida aze akhuthazwe ukuthi abale abantu+ bako-Israyeli labakoJuda.+ 2 INkosi uDavida yatshela uJowabi+ induna yebutho yathi: “Ngicela udabule kuzo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli kusukela koDani kuze kuyefika eBheri-shebha+ ubhale phansi abantu ukuze ngazi ukuthi bangaki.” 3 Kodwa uJowabi wathi enkosini: “Kwangathi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho angandisa abantu ngokuphindwe ka-100 futhi inkosi yami ikubone lokho. Kanti kungani inkosi yami ifuna ukwenza into enje?”

4 Lanxa kunjalo ilizwi lenkosi lakhulela elikaJowabi lelezinduna zamabutho. Ngakho uJowabi lezinduna zamabutho basuka enkosini bayabhala abantu bako-Israyeli.+ 5 Bachapha umfula uJodani bamisa inkamba yabo e-Aroweri+ eningizimu yedolobho phakathi kwesigodi, basebehamba beqonde elizweni lakoGadi, baqhubeka baya eJazeri.+ 6 Basuka lapho baya eGiliyadi+ laselizweni leThahithimi-hodishi, baqhubeka baze bayafika eDani-jawani, basebebhoda baya eSidoni.+ 7 Besuka lapho baya enqabeni yaseThire+ lakuwo wonke amadolobho amaHivi+ lawamaKhenani, bacina eNegebhi+ yakoJuda eBheri-shebha.+ 8 Balibhoda lonke ilizwe baze baphenduka eJerusalema ngemva kwenyanga ezingu-9 lamalanga angu-20. 9 UJowabi wafika wanika inkosi inani labantu ababebhaliwe. Ko-Israyeli kwakulamabutho angu-800 000 ayehlome ngezinkemba njalo koJuda kwakulamadoda angu-500 000.+

10 Kodwa uDavida wathi esebale abantu, inhliziyo yakhe yamsola*+ kakhulu. Yikho wathi kuJehova: “Ngonile+ kakhulu ngokwenza lokhu. Khathesi Jehova, ngicela uyixolele+ inceku yakho ngoba yenze ubuthutha obukhulu.”+ 11 UDavida wathi evuka ekuseni, ilizwi likaJehova lafika kumphrofethi uGadi+ umboni* kaDavida lisithi: 12 “Hamba uyekuthi kuDavida, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Ngizakunika izinto ezintathu, wena ubusukhetha okukodwa phakathi kwazo ofuna ngikwehlisele khona.”’”+ 13 Ngakho uGadi wafika kuDavida wathi: “Ukhetha ukuthi elizweni kube lendlala okweminyaka eyisikhombisa,+ kumbe ukuthi ubalekele izitha zakho okwenyanga ezintathu zikuxotshanisa,+ loba ukuthi kube lesifo esibulalayo elizweni okwensuku ezintathu?+ Cabangisisa ukuthi ufuna ngimphendule ngithini lowo ongithumileyo.” 14 UDavida wasesithi kuGadi: “Into le iyangikhathaza kakhulu. Kasingaweli esandleni sabantu,+ kungcono siwele esandleni sikaJehova+ ngoba isihawu sakhe sikhulu.”+

15 Ngakho uJehova wehlisela abantu bako-Israyeli isifo esibulalayo+ futhi wabulala abantu kusukela ekuseni kwaze kwafika isikhathi esasibekiwe. Kwafa+ abantu abangu-70 000 kusukela koDani kusiyafika eBheri-shebha.+ 16 Ingilosi yathi iselula isandla sayo phezu kweJerusalema ukuze iyitshabalalise, uJehova wezwa ubuhlungu* ngomonakalo+ owawehlele abantu, wasesithi engilosini eyayibulala abantu: “Sekwanele, yehlisa isandla sakho.” Ngalesosikhathi ingilosi kaJehova yayiseduze lesiza* sika-Arawuna+ umJebusi.+

17 UDavida wathi ebona ingilosi eyayibulala abantu, wathi kuJehova: “Mina yimi engonileyo futhi yimi engenze icala. Pho izimvu+ lezi zona zoneni? Ngicela isandla sakho sehlele phezu kwami labendlu kababa.”+

18 Ngakho uGadi waya kuDavida mhlalokho wathi kuye: “Hamba uyekwakhela uJehova i-alithare esizeni sika-Arawuna umJebusi.”+ 19 UDavida wasuka wayakwenza lokho uGadi ayemtshele khona, njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo. 20 U-Arawuna wathi ekhangela wabona inkosi lezinceku zayo besiza kuye, wahle waphuma waseguqa phambi kwenkosi wathi mbo phansi ngobuso, 21 wabuza wathi: “Kungani inkosi yami ize encekwini yayo?” UDavida wasephendula wathi: “Ngizothenga isiza sakho ngoba ngifuna ukwakhela uJehova i-alithare ukuze umkhuhlane lo oqeda abantu uphele.”+ 22 Kodwa u-Arawuna wathi kuDavida: “Inkosi yami kayisithathe isiza futhi inikele ngaloba yini eyibona ifanele. Nanzi inkomo zomnikelo wokutshiswa lesileyi sokubhula kanye lamajogwe azakuba zinkuni zokubasa umlilo. 23 Konke lokhu ngikunika inkosi yami.” U-Arawuna waqhubeka wathi enkosini: “Kwangathi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho angaba lomusa kuwe.”

24 Kodwa inkosi yathi ku-Arawuna: “Hatshi, ngizasithenga isiza. Angisoze nginikele kuJehova uNkulunkulu wami imihlatshelo yokutshiswa engingazange ngiyibhadalele lutho.” Ngakho uDavida wathenga isiza lenkomo ngamashekheli*+ esiliva angu-50, 25 wasesakhela uJehova i-alithare+ endaweni leyo, wanikela imihlatshelo yokutshiswa lemihlatshelo yobudlelwano. UJehova walalela ukuncenga kwabo bencengela ilizwe,+ wasuphela umkhuhlane owawuhlasele abako-Israyeli.