EYOKUQALA EYAMAKHOSI

1 INkosi uDavida yayisiluphele,+ iminyaka isihambile. Lanxa yayisembathiswa ingubo ezinengi yayingasakhudumali. 2 Ngakho izinceku zayo zathi kuyo: “Inkosi kayidingelwe intombi egcweleyo ezayinakekela, ibe ngumongikazi wayo. Izalala esifubeni senkosi ukuze inkosi ikhudumale.” 3 Badinga intombi enhle elizweni lonke lako-Israyeli. Bathola u-Abhishagi+ waseShunemi+ basebemletha enkosini. 4 Wayemuhle kakhulu futhi waba ngumongikazi wenkosi eyinakekela. Kodwa inkosi ayizange iye laye emacansini.

5 Ngalesosikhathi u-Adonija+ indodana kaHagithi wayeziphakamisa esithi: “Ngizakuba yinkosi!” Wazidingela inqola labagadi bamabhiza kanye lamadoda angu-50 ayegijima phambi kwakhe.+ 6 Kodwa uDavida wayengakaze ambuze* u-Adonija ngalokho ayekwenza. U-Adonija wayengumnawakhe ka-Abhisalomu, bezalwa belandelana kunina. Laye wayemuhle kakhulu. 7 Wacebisana loJowabi indodana kaZeruya lo-Abhiyatha+ umphristi, bamncedisa njalo bamsekela.+ 8 Kodwa uZadokhi+ umphristi, loBhenaya+ indodana kaJehoyada, lomphrofethi uNathani,+ loShimeyi,+ loReyi kanye lamaqhawe kaDavida+ abazange bamsekele u-Adonija.

9 U-Adonija wenza umhlatshelo+ ngezimvu lenkomo lezifuyo ezinonileyo eceleni kwelitshe leZohelethi eliseduze le-Eni-rogeli. Wanxusa bonke abafowabo, amadodana enkosi, lawo wonke amadoda akoJuda ayezinceku zenkosi. 10 Kodwa kazange anxuse umphrofethi uNathani, loBhenaya, lamaqhawe kaDavida kanye loSolomoni umfowabo. 11 UNathani+ wakhuluma loBhathishebha+ unina kaSolomoni+ wathi: “Ubusuzwile yini ukuthi u-Adonija+ indodana kaHagithi useyinkosi? Inkosi yethu uDavida layo kayikwazi lutho ngakho. 12 Yikho buya ngikutshele okumele ukwenze ukuze usindise impilo yakho leyendodana yakho uSolomoni.+ 13 Hamba enkosini uDavida ufike uthi kuyo, ‘Angithi nguwe nkosi owafunga encekwini yakho wathi: “Indodana yakho uSolomoni izakuba yinkosi ngemva kwami futhi yiyo ezahlala esihlalweni sami sobukhosi.”+ Manje kungani u-Adonija eseyinkosi?’ 14 Uzakuthi ulokhu usakhuluma lenkosi, lami ngihle ngingene ngivumelane lawe.”

15 Ngakho uBhathishebha waya enkosini wangena endlini yayo yokulala. Inkosi yayisiluphele futhi u-Abhishagi+ waseShunemi wayeyinakekela. 16 UBhathishebha waguqa phambi kwenkosi wakhothamisa ikhanda, inkosi yasisithi: “Ufunani?” 17 UBhathishebha waphendula wathi: “Nkosi yami, nguwe owafunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu wakho encekwini yakho wathi, ‘Indodana yakho uSolomoni izakuba yinkosi ngemva kwami futhi yiyo ezahlala esihlalweni sami sobukhosi.’+ 18 Kodwa khathesi u-Adonija nguye oseyinkosi futhi inkosi yami ayikwazi lutho ngakho.+ 19 Wenze umhlatshelo ngezinkunzi lezifuyo ezinonileyo langezimvu ezinengi kakhulu futhi unxuse wonke amadodana enkosi, lomphristi u-Abhiyatha kanye loJowabi induna yebutho.+ Kodwa kazange amnxuse uSolomoni inceku yakho.+ 20 Khathesi nkosi yami, amehlo abo bonke abantu bako-Israyeli akhangele kuwe ukuthi ubatshele ukuthi ngubani ozahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi senkosi yami. 21 Nxa inkosi yami ingasakwenzanga lokho kuzakuthi isifile,* mina lendodana yami uSolomoni kuthiwe singabahlamuki.”

22 Kwathi uBhathishebha esakhuluma lenkosi, umphrofethi uNathani wangena.+ 23 Inkosi yatshelwa ukuthi kwasekufike umphrofethi uNathani. UNathani wasondela enkosini wafika waguqa phambi kwayo wathi mbo phansi ngobuso, 24 wasesithi: “Nkosi yami, wakutsho yini ukuthi u-Adonija uzakuba yinkosi ngemva kwakho lokuthi nguye ozahlala esihlalweni sakho sobukhosi?+ 25 Phela lamuhla uhambe wayakwenza umhlatshelo+ ngezinkunzi lezifuyo ezinonileyo lezimvu ezinengi kakhulu. Unxuse wonke amadodana enkosi lezinduna zamabutho lo-Abhiyatha umphristi.+ Bayadla njalo banatha laye futhi balokhu bememeza besithi, ‘Kayibe lempilo ende iNkosi u-Adonija!’ 26 Kodwa mina loZadokhi umphristi, loBhenaya+ indodana kaJehoyada kanye lenceku yakho uSolomoni kazange asinxuse. 27 Inkosi yami yiyo yini evumileyo ukuthi lokho kwenzakale ingazange itshele inceku yayo ukuthi ngubani ozahlala esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi?”

28 INkosi uDavida yaphendula yathi: “Ngibizelani uBhathishebha.” UBhathishebha wangena wafika wama phambi kwenkosi. 29 Inkosi yafunga yathi: “Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo owangikhipha kubo bonke ubunzima,+ 30 njengoba nje ngafunga kuwe ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ngathi, ‘Indodana yakho uSolomoni izakuba yinkosi ngemva kwami futhi yiyo ezahlala esihlalweni sami sobukhosi!’ Lokho yikho engizakwenza lamuhla.” 31 UBhathishebha waguqa phambi kwenkosi wakhothamisa ikhanda wathi: “Kwangathi inkosi yami uDavida ingaphila kuze kube nini lanini!”

32 INkosi uDavida yahle yathi: “Ngibizelani umphristi uZadokhi lomphrofethi uNathani loBhenaya+ indodana kaJehoyada.”+ Ngakho beza phambi kwenkosi. 33 Inkosi yathi kubo: “Thathani izinceku zami ligadise indodana yami uSolomoni imbongolo* yami,+ lihambe laye eGihoni.+ 34 UZadokhi umphristi lomphrofethi uNathani bazamgcoba+ khonale abe yinkosi yako-Israyeli, beselitshaya uphondo lithi, ‘Kayibe lempilo ende iNkosi uSolomoni!’+ 35 Ngemva kwalokho limlandele abuye azohlala esihlalweni sami sobukhosi njalo uzakuba yinkosi esikhundleni sami. Ngizambeka abe ngumkhokheli wabantu bako-Israyeli labakoJuda.” 36 UBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada wahle wathi: “Ameni! Kwangathi uJehova uNkulunkulu wenkosi yami angakwenza kuphumelele lokho. 37 Njengoba nje uJehova ubelenkosi yami, kwangathi angaba loSolomoni.+ Sengathi angenza umbuso wakhe ube mkhulu ukwedlula owenkosi yami uDavida.”+

38 Ngakho uZadokhi umphristi, lomphrofethi uNathani, loBhenaya+ indodana kaJehoyada, lamaKherethi kanye lamaPhelethi+ bagadisa uSolomoni imbongolo* yeNkosi uDavida,+ basebehamba laye eGihoni.+ 39 UZadokhi umphristi wathatha uphondo lwamafutha+ etendeni+ wagcoba uSolomoni.+ Basebetshaya uphondo, abantu bonke baqalisa ukumemeza besithi: “Kayibe lempilo ende iNkosi uSolomoni!” 40 Ngemva kwalokho bonke bamlandela behamba betshaya amafluthi bethokoza kakhulu, kwaze kwanyikinyeka umhlaba ngenxa yomsindo wabo.+

41 U-Adonija labo bonke ayebanxusile bathi sebeqedile ukudla bezwa umsindo lo.+ UJowabi wathi esizwa uphondo lukhala wabuza wathi: “Kanti umsindo wonke lo osedolobheni ngowani?” 42 Wathi esakhuluma kwafika uJonathani+ indodana ka-Abhiyatha umphristi. U-Adonija wasesithi: “Ngena ngoba ungumuntu olungileyo njalo kumele ukuthi uletha izindaba ezinhle.” 43 Kodwa uJonathani waphendula u-Adonija wathi: “Hatshi, inkosi yethu uDavida isibeke uSolomoni waba yinkosi. 44 Inkosi ithume uZadokhi umphristi, lomphrofethi uNathani, loBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada, lamaKherethi kanye lamaPhelethi bamgadisa imbongolo* yenkosi.+ 45 UZadokhi umphristi lomphrofethi uNathani bamgcobe waba yinkosi eGihoni. Abantu basuke lapho bethokoza futhi bonke abantu edolobheni bayajabula. Lowo yiwo umsindo eliwuzwileyo. 46 Sikhuluma nje uSolomoni usehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, 47 futhi izinceku zenkosi zibuyile zizokwenzela iNkosi uDavida amhlophe zisithi, ‘Kwangathi uNkulunkulu wakho angenza ibizo likaSolomoni libe lodumo kulelakho futhi enze umbuso wakhe ube mkhulu kulowakho!’ Inkosi yakhothamisa ikhanda isembhedeni wayo 48 yasisithi, ‘Kadunyiswe uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli obeke omunye umuntu esihlalweni sami sobukhosi lamuhla njalo ongivumele ukuthi ngikubone lokho!’”

49 Bonke ababenxuswe ngu-Adonija besaba, ngulowo lalowo wasuka wahamba. 50 U-Adonija laye wamesaba uSolomoni, yikho wasuka wayabamba impondo ze-alithare.+ 51 USolomoni watshelwa ukuthi u-Adonija usebambe impondo ze-alithare ngoba wesaba iNkosi uSolomoni njalo uthi, ‘INkosi uSolomoni kayiqale ifunge kimi ukuthi ayisoze ibulale inceku yayo ngenkemba.’ 52 USolomoni waphendula wathi: “Nxa ethembekile akula lolulodwa unwele lwakhe oluzawela phansi kodwa nxa angenza okubi+ uzakufa.” 53 Ngakho iNkosi uSolomoni yathuma abantu ukuthi bayembiza asuke e-alithareni. U-Adonija weza wafika wakhothamela iNkosi uSolomoni, uSolomoni wasesithi: “Hamba endlini yakho.”

2 UDavida wathi esezakufa watshela indodana yakhe uSolomoni lokho okwakumele isale ikwenza. Wathi: 2 “Mina sengizakufa. Ngakho qina+ ube yindoda.+ 3 Kumele wenze konke uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho afuna ukwenze, uhambe ezindleleni zakhe, ugcine imithetho yakhe, lemilayo yakhe, lezahlulelo zakhe kanye lezikhumbuzo zakhe ezibhalwe eMthethweni kaMosi.+ Ungenza njalo uzaphumelela* kukho konke okwenzayo, uphumelele loba ngaphi lapho oya khona. 4 UJehova laye uzasigcwalisa isithembiso asenza kimi esithi: ‘Nxa amadodana akho angananzelela indlela aphila ngayo, athembeke kimi ngenhliziyo yonke langomphefumulo* wonke,+ akusoze kuswelakale umuntu wosendo lwakho ozahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sako-Israyeli.’+

5 “Ukwazi mhlophe lokho uJowabi indodana kaZeruya angenza khona. Wabulala induna ezimbili zamabutho ako-Israyeli, u-Abhineri+ indodana kaNeri lo-Amasa+ indodana kaJetheri. Wababulala+ ngesikhathi sokuthula kungelampi, wangcolisa ibhanti elisekhalweni lwakhe lamanyathela akhe ngegazi lempi. 6 Kumele wenze ngokuhlakanipha, ungamvumeli ukuthi afe ngokuthula njengoba eseluphele.+

7 “Kodwa kumele ube lothando oluqotho emadodaneni kaBhazilayi+ umGiliyadi njalo kumele abe phakathi kwalabo abadla etafuleni yakho ngoba anginceda kakhulu+ ngesikhathi ngibalekela umfowenu u-Abhisalomu.+

8 “Khonapha nje eduze kuloShimeyi indodana kaGera, umBhenjamini waseBhahurimi. Wangithethisa kabuhlungu+ mhla ngisiya eMahanayimi,+ kodwa wathi esezongihlangabeza emfuleni uJodani ngafunga kuye phambi kukaJehova ngathi: ‘Angisoze ngikubulale ngenkemba.’+ 9 Yikho kumele umjezise+ ngoba wena uyindoda ehlakaniphileyo, uyakwazi okumele ukwenze kuye. Kumele umbulale, ungamyekeli afe ngokuthula njengoba eseluphele.”+

10 Ngemva kwalokho uDavida wafa* wangcwatshwa edolobheni likaDavida.+ 11 UDavida wabusa ko-Israyeli okweminyaka engu-40. EHebroni+ wabusa iminyaka eyisikhombisa, eJerusalema wabusa iminyaka engu-33.+

12 USolomoni wahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sikayise uDavida futhi umbuso wakhe waqhubeka usiba lamandla.+

13 Ngemva kwesikhathi u-Adonija indodana kaHagithi waya kuBhathishebha unina kaSolomoni. UBhathishebha wambuza wathi: “Uza ngokuthula yini?” U-Adonija waphendula wathi: “Ye ngiza ngokuthula.” 14 Wasesithi: “Kulento engifuna ukukutshela yona.” UBhathishebha wathi: “Khuluma.” 15 U-Adonija waqhubeka wathi: “Uyakwazi ukuthi ubukhosi kwakumele bube ngobami futhi bonke abako-Israyeli babelindele ukuthi ngibe yinkosi.+ Kodwa ubukhosi bangiceza baya kumfowethu ngoba uJehova nguye owathi kube njalo.+ 16 Khathesi kulento eyodwa engicela ungenzele yona, ungasali isicelo sami.” UBhathishebha wathi kuye: “Khuluma.” 17 Wasesithi: “Ngicela ukhulume leNkosi uSolomoni inginike u-Abhishagi+ waseShunemi abe ngumkami ngoba ayisoze yale nxa ingacelwa nguwe.” 18 UBhathishebha wathi: “Kulungile, ngizakukhulumela lenkosi.”

19 Ngakho uBhathishebha waya enkosini uSolomoni esiyakhulumela u-Adonija. Inkosi yathi imbona yahle yasukuma yamhlangabeza, yakhothama phambi kwakhe. Ngemva kwalokho yahlala esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi, yasisithi unina alungiselwe esinye isihlalo sobukhosi ahlale ngasesandleni sayo sokudla. 20 UBhathishebha wathi enkosini: “Kulento encane engifuna ukuyicela kuwe, ngicela ungilalele.” Inkosi yasisithi kuye: “Khuluma mama, ngilalele.” 21 UBhathishebha wasesithi: “Ngicela ukuthi u-Abhishagi waseShunemi aphiwe umfowenu u-Adonija abe ngumkakhe.” 22 INkosi uSolomoni yathi isizwa lokhu yathi kunina: “Kungani ucela ukuthi u-Abhishagi waseShunemi aphiwe u-Adonija? Nxa kunjalo mcelele lobukhosi+ ngoba ungumnewethu+ futhi u-Abhiyatha umphristi loJowabi+ indodana kaZeruya labo bayamsekela.”+

23 INkosi uSolomoni yasifunga ngoJehova yathi: “UNkulunkulu kangijezise kakhulu nxa u-Adonija engasoze abulawe ngenxa yesicelo sakhe lesi. 24 Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo owangibeka esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavida ubaba, waqinisa umbuso wami+ futhi wanika mina labendlu yami ubukhosi*+ njengoba nje wathembisa, lamuhla u-Adonija kumele abulawe.”+ 25 INkosi uSolomoni yahle yathuma uBhenaya+ indodana kaJehoyada ukuthi ayebulala u-Adonija, uBhenaya wasephuma wayambulala.

26 Inkosi yatshela u-Abhiyatha+ umphristi yathi: “Hamba emzini wakho* e-Anathothi!+ Bekumele ubulawe kodwa lamuhla angisoze ngikubulale ngoba wawuthwala ibhokisi likaJehova iNkosi Enkulu phambi kukaDavida ubaba+ njalo wahlupheka laye kubo bonke ubunzima adlula kubo.”+ 27 Ngakho uSolomoni wamxotsha u-Abhiyatha emsebenzini wokuba ngumphristi kaJehova futhi lokho kwagcwalisa amazwi kaJehova awakhuluma mayelana labendlu ka-Eli+ eShilo.+

28 UJowabi wathi esizwa lokho wabaleka waya etendeni likaJehova+ wafika wabamba impondo ze-alithare. Phela uJowabi wayesekele u-Adonija+ lanxa wayengazange asekele u-Abhisalomu.+ 29 INkosi uSolomoni yatshelwa ukuthi uJowabi usebalekele etendeni likaJehova lokuthi useduze le-alithare. Ngakho uSolomoni wathuma uBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada wathi: “Hamba uyembulala!” 30 UBhenaya wasesiya etendeni likaJehova wafika wathi kuJowabi: “Inkosi ithi phuma lapho!” Kodwa uJowabi wathi: “Hatshi ngizafela khonapha.” Ngakho uBhenaya wabuyela enkosini wayayitshela okwakukhulunywe nguJowabi lokuthi wayephendule wathini. 31 Inkosi yathi kuye: “Yenza lokho akutshele khona, mbulale ubusumngcwaba ususe kimi lasendlini kababa igazi labantu uJowabi ababulala bengelacala.+ 32 UJehova uzamjezisa ngokuchitha kwakhe igazi,* ngoba wabulala ngenkemba amadoda amabili ayelungile ukwedlula yena njalo engcono kulaye. Wabulala u-Abhineri+ indodana kaNeri owayeyinduna yebutho lako-Israyeli,+ lo-Amasa+ indodana kaJetheri owayeyinduna yebutho lakoJuda.+ Lokhu wakwenza ubaba engazi. 33 Icala lokubulawa kwabo alibe sekhanda likaJowabi lasezizukulwaneni zakhe kuze kube nini lanini.+ Kwangathi uDavida lezizukulwane zakhe lendlu yakhe kanye lesihlalo sakhe sobukhosi kungaba lokuthula okuvela kuJehova kuze kube nini lanini.” 34 Ngakho uBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada wasuka wayahlasela uJowabi wambulala. UJowabi wangcwatshwa emzini wakhe enkangala. 35 Ngemva kwalokho inkosi yabeka uBhenaya+ indodana kaJehoyada waba yinduna yebutho esikhundleni sikaJowabi. UZadokhi+ yena yambeka waba ngumphristi esikhundleni sika-Abhiyatha.

36 Inkosi yasibiza uShimeyi+ yathi kuye: “Yakha indlu eJerusalema uhlale khona. Ungaphumi eJerusalema uye kwenye indawo. 37 Ngelanga ozaphuma ngalo uchaphe isigodi seKhidroni,+ uzakufa loba sekutheni. Wena nguwe oyabe uzibulalisile.”* 38 UShimeyi waphendula inkosi wathi: “Lokho inkosi ekutshoyo kuqondile. Inceku yakho izakwenza njengoba nje utshilo.” Ngakho uShimeyi wahlala eJerusalema okwesikhathi eside.

39 Kwathi sekusiyaphela iminyaka emithathu izigqili zikaShimeyi ezimbili zabaleka zaya ku-Akhishi+ indodana kaMahakha inkosi yeGathi. UShimeyi wathi etshelwa ukuthi izigqili zakhe ziseGathi, 40 wahle wabophela isihlalo kubabhemi wakhe wasuka wayadinga izigqili zakhe ku-Akhishi eGathi. UShimeyi wathi esephendukile eGathi lezigqili zakhe, 41 uSolomoni watshelwa ukuthi uShimeyi ubephumile eJerusalema waya eGathi lokuthi usephendukile. 42 Ngakho inkosi yambiza uShimeyi yathi kuye: “Kanti angizange ngikufungise phambi kukaJehova ngakuxwayisa ngathi: ‘Ngelanga ozaphuma ngalo lapha uye kwenye indawo, uhle ukwazi ukuthi uzabulawa’? Angithi lawe waphendula wathi, ‘Okutshoyo kuqondile, kangisoze ngiye ndawo’?+ 43 Manje kungani ungasigcinanga isifungo owasenza phambi kukaJehova lomthetho engakunika wona?” 44 Inkosi yaqhubeka yathi kuShimeyi: “Ukwazi kuhle enhliziyweni yakho konke okubi owakwenza kuDavida ubaba.+ UJehova uzakujezisa ngenxa yakho konke okubi owakwenzayo.+ 45 Kodwa iNkosi uSolomoni yona izabusiswa+ futhi isihlalo sobukhosi sikaDavida sizahlala siqinile phambi kukaJehova kuze kube nini lanini.” 46 Ngemva kwalokho iNkosi uSolomoni yathuma uBhenaya indodana kaJehoyada ukuthi ayebulala uShimeyi, uBhenaya wasehamba wayambulala.+

Ngakho umbuso kaSolomoni waqhubeka usiba lamandla.+

3 USolomoni wathatha indodakazi kaFaro+ inkosi yeGibhithe, wayiletha edolobheni likaDavida+ yahlala khona waze waqeda ukwakha indlu yakhe+ lendlu kaJehova+ kanye lomduli weJerusalema.+ 2 Abantu babelokhu besenza imihlatshelo ezindaweni eziphakemeyo*+ ngoba indlu edumisa ibizo likaJehova yayingakakhiwa.+ 3 USolomoni waqhubeka emthanda uJehova, elandela imithetho ayeyiphiwe nguyise uDavida. Kodwa wayesenza imihlatshelo futhi etshisa iminikelo ezindaweni eziphakemeyo.+

4 INkosi uSolomoni yasuka yaya eGibhiyoni isiyakwenza imihlatshelo ngoba yikho lapho okwakulendawo ephakemeyo eyayiqakatheke kulazo zonke.+ Yanikela e-alithareni ngemihlatshelo yokutshiswa engu-1 000.+ 5 UJehova wabonakala kuSolomoni ephutsheni ngesikhathi eseGibhiyoni wathi kuye: “Cela loba yini ofuna ngikunike yona.”+ 6 USolomoni wasesithi: “Ubulothando oluqotho futhi olukhulu kubaba uDavida inceku yakho. Wahamba phambi kwakho ethembekile, elungile futhi elenhliziyo eqotho. Ubulokhu ulothando oluqotho kuye kwaze kwaba lamuhla njengoba umnike indodana ehlezi esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi.+ 7 Khathesi Jehova Nkulunkulu wami ungibeke ngaba yinkosi esihlalweni sobukhosi sikababa uDavida lanxa nje ngisesemncane futhi ngingelalwazi.+ 8 Inceku yakho iphakathi kwabantu obakhethileyo+ abanengi kakhulu okokuthi ngeke babalwe. 9 Ngakho nika inceku yakho inhliziyo elalelayo ukuze yahlulele abantu bakho+ futhi yehlukanise phakathi kokuhle lokubi.+ Kambe ngubani ongenelisa ukwahlulela abantu bakho abanengi kangaka?”*

10 UJehova wathokoza esizwa isicelo sikaSolomoni.+ 11 Ngakho wathi kuye: “Njengoba ungazange ucele impilo ende loba inotho kumbe ukuthi izitha zakho zife, kodwa ucele ukuthi ube lokuzwisisa nxa usahlulela amacala,+ 12 ngizakwenza lokho okucelileyo.+ Ngizakupha inhliziyo elokuhlakanipha futhi ezwisisayo.+ Uzahlakanipha ukwedlula bonke abantu abake baphila njalo akusoze kube lomunye umuntu ohlakaniphe njengawe.+ 13 Ngizakunika lalokho ongazange ukucele.+ Ngizakunika inotho lodumo+ futhi akusoze kube lenkosi enjengawe ngesikhathi usaphila.+ 14 Nxa ungahamba ezindleleni zami, ugcine imithetho yami lemilayo yami njengoyihlo uDavida,+ ngizakunika lempilo ende.”+

15 USolomoni wathi ephaphama wananzelela ukuthi wayebone umbono. Wasuka waya eJerusalema wayakuma phambi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova, wanikela imihlatshelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yobudlelwano+ njalo wenzela zonke izinceku zakhe idili.

16 Ngalesosikhathi kwafika enkosini abesifazana ababili abayizifebe, bama phambi kwayo. 17 Owokuqala wathi: “Nkosi yami, mina lomama lo sihlala sonke endlini. Ngabeletha ngesikhathi laye ekhona endlini. 18 Ngemva kwamalanga amathathu ngibelethile, laye wabeletha. Sasibabili kuphela endlini, kungela omunye umuntu. 19 Ebusuku umama lo ulele phezu komntanakhe, umntanakhe wasesifa. 20 Yikho uvuke phakathi kobusuku wathatha indodana yami eceleni kwami ngesikhathi ngilele, wayilalisa esifubeni sakhe, kodwa eyakhe efileyo uyithethe wayilalisa esifubeni sami. 21 Ngithe ngivuka ekuseni ngisithi ngimunyise indodana yami ngananzelela ukuthi isifile, ngasengiyihlolisisa ngabona ukuthi ayisiyo indodana yami engiyizeleyo.” 22 Kodwa owesifazana wesibili wathi: “Hatshi, indodana yami yileyi ephilayo, eyakho yiyo efileyo!” Owokuqala laye wayelokhu esithi: “Indodana yakho yiyo efileyo, eyami iyaphila.” Baqhubeka bephikisana phambi kwenkosi.

23 Inkosi yacina isithi: “Omunye uthi, ‘Indodana yami yileyi ephilayo, eyakho yiyo efileyo!’ Omunye laye uthi, ‘Hatshi, indodana yakho yiyo efileyo, eyami iyaphila!’” 24 Inkosi yaqhubeka yathi: “Lethani inkemba,” basebebuya layo. 25 Inkosi yasisithi: “Qumani umntwana phakathi laphakathi, enye ingxenye liyinike omunye owesifazana, enye liyinike omunye.” 26 Unina womntwana ophilayo wathi esizwa lokho wayincenga inkosi ngoba kwasekuhela ngaphakathi, wathi kuyo: “Nkosi yami ngicela ungambulali umntwana! Ngicela umnike umama lo!” Kodwa owesifazana wesibili wayelokhu esithi: “Kaqunywe phakathi! Kakho phakathi kwethu okufanele amthathe!” 27 Inkosi ithe isizwa lokho yathi: “Nikani owesifazana wokuqala umntwana ophilayo ngoba nguye unina. Lingambulali umntwana.”

28 Bonke abantu bako-Israyeli bamangala besizwa ukuthi inkosi yahlulele njani.+ Bananzelela ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayeyiphe ukuhlakanipha, yikho yayisahlulela kuhle.+

4 INkosi uSolomoni yayibusa lonke ilizwe lako-Israyeli.+ 2 Iziphathamandla* zombuso wakhe kwakuyilezi: U-Azariya indodana kaZadokhi+ wayengumphristi, 3 amadodana kaShisha u-Elihorefi lo-Ahija ayengonobhala,+ uJehoshafathi+ indodana ka-Ahiludi yena wayebhala okwakusenzakala. 4 UBhenaya+ indodana kaJehoyada wayengumkhokheli webutho, uZadokhi lo-Abhiyatha+ bona bengabaphristi. 5 U-Azariya indodana kaNathani+ wayekhangele abaphathi bezabelo, uZabhudi indodana kaNathani yena wayengumphristi futhi engumngane wenkosi.+ 6 U-Ahishari wayekhangele isigodlo njalo u-Adoniramu+ indodana ka-Abhida wayekhangele labo ababebuthwa ukuthi bazosebenzela inkosi.+

7 USolomoni wayelabaphathi bezabelo abangu-12 kulo lonke elako-Israyeli futhi yibo ababelethela inkosi labendlu yayo ukudla. Ngamunye wabo wayeletha ukudla okwenyanga eyodwa ngomnyaka.+ 8 Nampa abaphathi bezabelo: Indodana kaHuri yayikhangele isabelo sezintaba zako-Efrayimi. 9 Indodana kaDekheri yayikhangele iMakhazi, leShalabhimi,+ leBhethi-shemeshi, le-Eloni-bhethi-hanani. 10 Indodana kaHesedi yona yayikhangele i-Arubhothi. (ISokho lalo lonke ilizwe leHeferi lalingaphansi kwakhe.) 11 Indodana ka-Abhinadabi yayiphethe isabelo sezintaba zaseDori. (Yayithethe uThafathi indodakazi kaSolomoni.) 12 UBhana indodana ka-Ahiludi wayekhangele iThanakhi leMegido+ layo yonke iBhethi-sheyani+ eseduze kweZarethani endaweni ephansi kuleJeziriyeli. Wayephethe kusukela eBhethi-sheyani kusiya e-Abheli-mehola lasesabelweni seJokhimiyamu.+ 13 Indodana kaGebheri yona yayikhangele iRamothi-giliyadi.+ (Yayiphethe lezigaba zikaJayiri+ indodana kaManase eziseGiliyadi+ lesabelo se-Arigobi+ esiseBhashani.+ Indawo le yayilamadolobho amakhulu angu-60 ayegonjolozelwe ngemiduli futhi elamagedi alemigoqo yekhopha.) 14 U-Ahinadabi indodana ka-Ido wayekhangele iMahanayimi,+ 15 u-Ahimazi yena ekhangele abakoNafithali. (U-Ahimazi wathatha omunye wamadodakazi kaSolomoni okwakuthiwa nguBhasemathi.) 16 UBhana indodana kaHushayi wayekhangele abako-Asheri leBheyalothi, 17 uJehoshafathi indodana kaPharuwa yena ekhangele abako-Isakhari. 18 UShimeyi+ indodana ka-Ela wayekhangele abakoBhenjamini,+ 19 uGebheri indodana ka-Uri yena ekhangele ilizwe leGiliyadi,+ elalingelikaSihoni+ inkosi yama-Amori lo-Ogi+ inkosi yeBhashani. Kwakulomunye umphathi wesabelo owayekhangele bonke abaphathi bezabelo ababeselizweni.

20 Abantu bakoJuda labako-Israyeli babebanengi angathi yitshebetshebe ekhunjini lolwandle.+ Babesidla benatha futhi bethokoza.+

21 USolomoni wayebusa phezu kwayo yonke imibuso kusukela emfuleni*+ kuze kuyefika elizweni lamaFilisti lasemngceleni weGibhithe. Yonke imibuso le yayibhadala umthelo* kuSolomoni okwempilo yakhe yonke njalo abantu bemibuso leyo babezinceku zakhe.+

22 Nsuku zonke uSolomoni wayelethelwa ifulawa ecolekileyo egcwala izilinganiso zamakhori* ezingu-30, lefulawa egcwala izilinganiso zamakhori ezingu-60. 23 Kwakuhlatshwa inkomo ezingu-10 ezinonisiweyo, lezingu-20 ezithethwe emadlelweni, lezimvu ezingu-100, lempala, lemiziki, lenyoni ezinonisiweyo. 24 Phela wayebusa yonke indawo esentshonalanga komfula,*+ kusukela eThifisa kutshaye kuze kuyefika eGaza.+ Wonke amakhosi ayesentshonalanga komfula ayengaphansi kwakhe njalo kwakulokuthula kuzo zonke izabelo zakhe.+ 25 Kusukela koDani kuze kuyefika eBheri-shebha, abantu bakoJuda labako-Israyeli babehlezi kuhle bevikelekile kuzo zonke insuku zikaSolomoni, ngamunye wabo engaphansi kwesihlahla sakhe samagilebisi langaphansi kwesihlahla sakhe somkhiwa.

26 USolomoni wayelezibaya ezingu-4 000* zamabhiza ayedonsa inqola zakhe njalo amabhiza akhe ayengu-12 000.*+

27 Abaphathi bezabelo babeletha ukudla okwakudliwa yiNkosi uSolomoni lalabo ababesidla etafuleni yakhe. Ngamunye wabo wayeletha ukudla ngenyanga okwakuthiwe akulethe ngayo njalo wayesiba leqiniso lokuthi akulalutho oluswelakalayo.+ 28 Babehambisa ibhali lotshani bamabhiza loba ngaphi lapho obabufunakala khona. Babenika lamabhiza adonsa izinqola ukudla kusiya ngokuthi batshelwe ukuthi benzeni.

29 UNkulunkulu wanika uSolomoni ukuzwisisa lokuhlakanipha okumangalisayo. Wamnika lenhliziyo elokuqedisisa okungeke kulinganiswe.+ 30 USolomoni wayehlakaniphe ukwedlula bonke abantu beMpumalanga abahlakaniphileyo labo bonke abantu beGibhithe.+ 31 Wayehlakaniphe ukwedlula bonke abantu, esedlula lo-Ethani+ indodana kaZera lamadodana kaMaholi uHemani+ loKhalikholi+ loDarida. Udumo lwakhe lwasabalala ezizweni zonke ezazingomakhelwane.+ 32 Wabumba izaga+ ezingu-3 000 njalo izingoma+ zakhe zazingu-1 005. 33 Wayesenelisa ukuchasisa zonke izihlahla, kusukela kumisedari yaseLebhanoni kuze kuyefika kumahisopi+ akhula emdulini. Wayekhuluma langezinyamazana,+ lezinyoni,+ lezinanakazana*+ langezinhlanzi. 34 Abantu bazo zonke izizwe babebuya bezokuzwa inhlakanipho kaSolomoni. Lamakhosi ayesithi engezwa ngokuhlakanipha kukaSolomoni abuye ezombona evela kuzo zonke izindawo zomhlaba.+

5 UHiramu inkosi yeThire+ wathi esizwa ukuthi uSolomoni wayesegcotshiwe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sikayise uDavida, wathuma izinceku zakhe kuSolomoni ngoba yena loDavida babengabangane ngesikhathi uDavida esaphila.*+ 2 Ngakho uSolomoni wathumela ilizwi kuHiramu wathi:+ 3 “Ukwazi kuhle ukuthi uDavida ubaba kazange enelise ukwakha indlu ezadumisa ibizo likaNkulunkulu wakhe uJehova ngenxa yezimpi ayezilwa lezitha zakhe ezazimgombolozele. Walwa izimpi kwaze kwaba yilapho uJehova emenza ukuthi anqobe izitha zakhe.*+ 4 Kodwa khathesi uJehova uNkulunkulu wami unginike ukuthula kuzo zonke indawo.+ Akulamuntu olwa lami futhi akulalutho olubi olwenzakalayo.+ 5 Yikho sengifuna ukwakha indlu ezadumisa ibizo likaJehova uNkulunkulu wami, njengoba nje uJehova wathembisa uDavida ubaba wathi: ‘Indodana yakho engizayibeka esihlalweni sakho sobukhosi ukuthi ithathe isikhundla sakho yiyo ezangakhela indlu ezakwenza ibizo lami lidunyiswe.’+ 6 Ngakho ngicela uthume abantu bakho ukuthi bangigamulele imisedari yaseLebhanoni.+ Izisebenzi zami zizasebenza lezakho futhi ngizanika izisebenzi zakho iholo ozaliqamba. Phela lawe uyakwazi ukuthi phakathi kwabantu bami akulamuntu okwazi ukugamula izihlahla njengabantu beSidoni.”+

7 UHiramu wathokoza kakhulu esizwa amazwi kaSolomoni wathi: “Kadunyiswe uJehova lamuhla ngoba uphe uDavida indodana ehlakaniphileyo ukuthi ibuse isizwe lesi esikhulu!”+ 8 Ngakho uHiramu wathumela ilizwi kuSolomoni wathi: “Ngikuzwile konke othe bangitshele khona. Konke okufunayo ngizakwenza, ngizakuthumela izigodo zomsedari lezomjunipha.+ 9 Izisebenzi zami zizathwala izigodo lezo eLebhanoni ziye lazo elwandle. Zingafika lapho ngizathi bazihlanganise bazibophe, besebezichaphisa ulwandle bazise endaweni ofuna ziye kuyo. Bazazithukulula lapho, ubusuzithwala uhambe lazo. Wena uzanginika ukudla engizakucela kuwe okuzakuba ngokwabendlu yami.”+

10 Yikho-ke uHiramu wanika uSolomoni zonke izigodo zomsedari lezomjunipha ayezifuna. 11 USolomoni yena wanika uHiramu labendlu yakhe ukudla. Wamnika ingqoloyi egcwala izilinganiso zamakhori* ezingu-20 000 lamafutha ama-oliva acengekileyo agcwala izilinganiso zamakhori ezingu-20. Lokhu yikho uSolomoni ayekunika uHiramu minyaka yonke.+ 12 UJehova wanika uSolomoni ukuhlakanipha njengoba nje wayemthembisile.+ Kwakulokuthula phakathi kukaHiramu loSolomoni futhi benza isivumelwano.

13 INkosi uSolomoni yabutha abantu kulo lonke elako-Israyeli ukuthi bazoyisebenzela. Kwabuthwa amadoda angu-30 000.+ 14 Yayithuma abangu-10 000 inyanga ngayinye ukuthi baye eLebhanoni. Babehlala inyanga eyodwa eLebhanoni besebebuyela emizini yabo bayehlala inyanga ezimbili. U-Adoniramu+ nguye owayekhangela labo ababebuthwa ukuthi bazosebenzela inkosi. 15 USolomoni wayelezisebenzi ezingu-70 000* kanye labanye abangu-80 000 ababesebenza ukubaza amatshe+ ezintabeni.+ 16 Kwakulabaphathi abangu-3 300+ ababekhangela izisebenzi zakhe. 17 Inkosi yabatshela ukuthi bagebhe amatshe amakhulu aligugu+ futhi bawabaze.+ Amatshe la ayezasetshenziswa nxa sekusakhiwa isisekelo+ sethempeli. 18 Ngakho abakhi bakaSolomoni labakaHiramu kanye labantu baseGebhali+ bawabaza amatshe, balungisa amapulanka lamatshe okwakha ithempeli.

6 Ngomnyaka wesi-480 abako-Israyeli bephume elizweni leGibhithe,+ ngomnyaka wesine uSolomoni eyinkosi yako-Israyeli, ngenyanga kaZivi*+ (inyanga yesibili), uSolomoni waqalisa ukwakha indlu kaJehova.*+ 2 Indlu kaJehova eyakhiwa yiNkosi uSolomoni yayizingalo* ezingu-60 ubude, lezingalo ezingu-20 ububanzi, lezingu-30 ukuphakama.+ 3 Ivurandi+ elaliphambi kwethempeli lalizingalo ezingu-20 ubude, lilingana lobubanzi bendlu. Nxa ulilinganisa usuka phambi kwendlu lalizingalo ezilitshumi.

4 Wenza amawindi ayebanzi ngaphakathi, emancane ngaphandle.+ 5 Waphinda wakha isakhiwo esasibambene lomduli wendlu emaceleni wonke. Sasigombolozele umduli weNdawo Engcwele* kanye lowendlu engaphakathi.*+ Phakathi kwesakhiwo lesi wakha izindlu eceleni komduli wethempeli.+ 6 Izindlu eziphansi ezaziseceleni komduli zazizingalo ezinhlanu ububanzi, ezazisesitezi sesibili zazizingalo eziyisithupha ububanzi futhi ezazisesitezi sesithathu zazizingalo eziyisikhombisa ububanzi. Wakha umduli waba lezindawo okwakuzangena kuzo amapulanka kungazange kugujwe umduli.+

7 Ithempeli lakhiwa ngamatshe ayevele esebaziwe alungiswa,+ yikho akuzwakalanga isando loba ihloka kumbe umsindo wamanye amathuluzi ensimbi ngesikhathi lisakhiwa. 8 Umnyango okwakungenwa ngawo nxa usiya ezindlini eziphansi ezaziseceleni wawuseningizimu yethempeli+ futhi kwakulamasitephisi ayeqansa ebhoda esiyafika ezindlini ezisesitezi sesibili, adlule aze ayefika ezindlini ezisesitezi sesithathu. 9 Wakha ithempeli waze waliqeda,+ waselifulela ngezigodo lamapulanka omsedari.+ 10 Wakha izindlu ezisemaceleni ezazigombolozele ithempeli.+ Indlu ngayinye yayizingalo ezinhlanu ukuphakama. Izindlu lezi zazihlanganiswe lethempeli kusetshenziswa izigodo zomsedari.

11 Ngalesosikhathi ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuSolomoni lathi: 12 “Nxa ungalandela imithetho yami lezahlulelo zami futhi ulandele yonke imilayo yami njalo uyigcine,+ ngizakwenza lokho engakuthembisa uyihlo uDavida mayelana lendlu le oyakhayo,+ 13 njalo ngizahlala phakathi kwabantu bako-Israyeli.+ Angisoze ngibatshiye abantu bami bako-Israyeli.”+

14 USolomoni waqhubeka esakha ithempeli waze waliqeda. 15 Imiduli ephakathi kwethempeli wayifaka amapulanka omsedari. Wayifaka amapulanka kusukela phansi kuze kuyefika entungweni zophahla. Phansi wafaka amapulanka omjunipha.+ 16 Phakathi kwethempeli, kusukela emsamo wabala izingalo ezingu-20 wasesakha umduli ukuze kube lenye indlu.+ Indlu leyo wayakha ngamapulanka omsedari kusukela phansi kuze kuyefika entungweni zophahla. Ngaphakathi kwayo wayilungisa, futhi yiyo eyaba yiNgcwelengcwele.+ 17 INdawo Engcwele*+ eyayiphambi kweNgcwelengcwele yayizingalo ezingu-40. 18 Amapulanka omsedari ayesemdulini wethempeli ngaphakathi ayebazelwe imifanekiso yezithelo ezisamaqhaga+ leyamaluba aqhakazileyo.+ Amapulanka omsedari ayevale wonke umduli, kungabonakali ngitsho lelitshe.

19 Walungisa leNgcwelengcwele+ phakathi* kwethempeli ukuze afake ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova.+ 20 INgcwelengcwele yayizingalo ezingu-20 ubude lezingu-20 ububanzi lezingu-20 ukuphakama.+ Wayigudula ngegolide elicengekileyo njalo i-alithare+ walifaka izigodo zomsedari. 21 USolomoni wagudula ithempeli lonke ngaphakathi ngegolide elicengekileyo,+ wasefaka amaketane egolide phambi kweNgcwelengcwele+ eyayigudulwe ngegolide. 22 Wagudula ithempeli lonke ngegolide waze waqeda. Wahuqa le-alithare+ lonke elaliduze leNgcwelengcwele.

23 Phakathi kweNgcwelengcwele wenza amakherubhi amabili+ ngesigodo sephayini.* Ikherubhi ngalinye lalizingalo ezilitshumi ubude.+ 24 Uphiko olulodwa lwekherubhi lwaluzingalo ezinhlanu, lolunye luzingalo ezinhlanu. Kusukela ekucineni kophiko olulodwa kusiyafika ekucineni kolunye uphiko kwakuzingalo ezilitshumi. 25 Ikherubhi lesibili lalo lalizingalo ezilitshumi. Amakherubhi la womabili ayelingana futhi ebunjwe afanana. 26 Ikherubhi ngalinye lalizingalo ezilitshumi ubude. 27 Ngemva kwalokho wafaka amakherubhi+ eNgcwelengcwele. Impiko zamakherubhi zazivulekile, uphiko lwelinye ikherubhi luthinte umduli, lophiko lwelinye ikherubhi luthinte omunye umduli. Impiko ezazivuleke zisiya phakathi laphakathi kwendlu zazithintene ekucineni. 28 Amakherubhi la wawahuqa ngegolide.

29 Emidulini yonke yethempeli, phakathi langaphandle kweNgcwelengcwele leNdawo Engcwele, wabazela imifanekiso yamakherubhi+ leyezihlahla zelala+ kanye leyamaluba aqhakazileyo.+ 30 Wasinda iphansi lendlu ngegolide futhi lokhu wakwenza eNgcwelengcwele laseNdaweni Engcwele. 31 Emnyango weNgcwelengcwele wenza izivalo ngezigodo zephayini, wenza lezinsika zemaceleni lemigubazi. Wakwenza kwaba yingxenye yesihlanu.* 32 Izivalo zombili zazenziwe ngesigodo sephayini. Ezivalweni lezi wabazela imifanekiso yamakherubhi lezihlahla zelala kanye lamaluba aqhakazileyo. Ngemva kwalokho wahuqa izivalo ngegolide, wahuqa lemifanekiso yamakherubhi leyezihlahla zelala. 33 Le yiyo indlela enza ngayo imigubazi yomnyango wethempeli* ngesigodo sephayini. Lokhu kwakuyingxenye yesine.* 34 Wenza izivalo ezimbili ngesigodo somjunipha. Isivalo ngasinye sasilengxenye ezimbili, ingxenye ngayinye yesivalo yayitshibilika emgubazini wayo.+ 35 Ezivalweni lezi wabazela imifanekiso yamakherubhi lezihlahla zelala lamaluba aqhakazileyo, waseyihuqa ngegolide.

36 Wakha umduli weguma elingaphakathi+ ngamatshe abaziweyo. Wawafaka aba yimizila emithathu, wafaka lomzila owodwa wamapulanka omsedari.+

37 Ngomnyaka wesine ngenyanga kaZivi,* isisekelo sendlu kaJehova sakhiwa.+ 38 Ngomnyaka wesi-11 ngenyanga kaBhuli* (inyanga yesi-8) kwaphela ukwakhiwa kwethempeli, kulandelwa iplani yalo lakho konke okwakumele kwenziwe.+ Ngakho uSolomoni kwamthatha iminyaka eyisikhombisa ukwakha ithempeli.

7 Kwathatha iminyaka engu-13 ukuthi uSolomoni akhe indlu yakhe+ ayiqede.*+

2 Wakha leNdlu yeGusu laseLebhanoni.+ Yayizingalo* ezingu-100 ubude, lezingalo ezingu-50 ububanzi lezingalo ezingu-30 ukuphakama. Yayimi phezu kwensika zezigodo zomsedari ezazimiswe zaba yimizila emine. Phezu kwensika lezi kwakuhlezi izigodo zomsedari.+ 3 Phezulu indlu le yayilamapulanka omsedari. Amapulanka la ayehlezi phezu kwezigodo ezazinqume phezu kwezinsika. Zonke zazingu-45 futhi emzileni ngamunye kwakulezingu-15. 4 Emaceleni ayo wonke kwakulamawindi ayefole aba yimizila emithathu eyayilandelana isiya phezulu. Iwindi ngalinye lalikhangelane lelinye. 5 Yonke iminyango lemigubazi yayilamakhona amane lamacele alinganayo. Yayinjengamawindi ayekhangelene futhi efole aba yimizila emithathu elandelana isiya phezulu.

6 Waphinda wamisa esinye isakhiwo ngezinsika. Ubude baso babuzingalo ezingu-50 lobubanzi baso buzingalo ezingu-30. Phambi kwaso kwakulevurandi elalilezinsika lophahla.

7 Wakha lewolu eyayilesihlalo sobukhosi+ eyayibizwa ngokuthi yiNkundla Yokwahlulela,+ lapho ayezathonisela khona amacala. Phansi yayilungiswe ngamapulanka omsedari njalo ayefakwe lasemdulini kuze kuyefika ephahleni.

8 Indlu ayezahlala kuyo yayakhiwe* egumeni eliseceleni+ kweNkundla Yokwahlulela. Zombili izakhiwo lezi zazifanana, zakhiwe ngobungcitshi. Indodakazi kaFaro ayeyithethe layo wayakhela indlu eyayifanana lenkundla le.+

9 Zonke izakhiwo lezi zazakhiwe ngamatshe adulayo.+ Ayequnywe ngesilinganiso esifaneleyo njalo esahwe ngesaha yamatshe emaceleni wonke. Kwakwakhiwe ngawo kusukela ezisekelweni kuze kuyefika phezulu futhi kwakunjalo laphandle kuze kuyefika egumeni elikhulu.+ 10 Izisekelo zazakhiwe ngamatshe amakhulu adulayo. Amanye akhona ayezingalo ezingu-10, amanye ezingalo ezingu-8. 11 Phezu kwawo kwakulamatshe adulayo kanye lamapulanka omsedari. Amatshe la ayequnywe ngesilinganiso esifaneleyo. 12 Umduli weguma elikhulu wawakhiwe ngamatshe abaziweyo ayeyimizila emithathu, kwafakwa lamapulanka amakhulu omsedari, njengasegumeni lendlu kaJehova elingaphakathi+ lasevurandini lendlu.+

13 INkosi uSolomoni yathumela ilizwi eThire ukuthi kuyebizwa uHiramu.+ UHiramu wasebuya kuyo. 14 Wayeyindodana yomfelokazi wesizwana sakoNafithali njalo uyise wayengumkhandi wekhopha+ owayedabuka eThire. UHiramu wayeyingcitshi, ewazi kuhle umsebenzi wakhe+ futhi esenelisa ukwenza loba yini ngekhopha.* Wabuya enkosini uSolomoni wawenza wonke umsebenzi eyamupha wona.

15 Wenza insika ezimbili zekhopha.+ Insika ngayinye yayizingalo ezingu-18 ubude njalo kwakungadingeka intambo ezingalo ezingu-12 ukuyithandela yonke.+ 16 Wenza leziduku* ezimbili ngekhopha ukuze zifakwe phezu kwezinsika. Esinye isiduku sasizingalo ezinhlanu ubude, lesinye sizingalo ezinhlanu ubude. 17 Isiduku esasiphezu kwensika ngayinye sasiceciswe ngesefa eyenziwe ngamaketane amancane ayephothwe njengentambo.+ Esinye isiduku sasilayisikhombisa, lesinye silayisikhombisa. 18 Waphinda wabumba imiceciso enjengezithelo zamaharinathi. Imiceciso le wayenza yaba yimizila emibili wayifaka esefeni ngayinye ukuze icecise iziduku ezaziphezu kwezinsika. Wayifaka ezidukwini zombili. 19 Ingxenye ephezulu yeziduku lezi ezaziphezu kwezinsika ezisevurandini yayibunjwe yafana lamaluba futhi yayizingalo ezine ubude. 20 Iziduku lezi zazihlezi phezu kwensika ezimbili, phezu kwengxenye eyisigombolozi ebambene lesefa. Emizileni emibili eyayigombolozele isiduku ngasinye kwakulemiceciso engu-200 enjengamaharinathi.+

21 Wamisa insika zevurandi lethempeli.*+ Eyinye insika wayimisa esandleni sokudla* wayibiza ngokuthi nguJakhini,* eyinye wayimisa esandleni senxele* wayibiza ngokuthi nguBhowazi.*+ 22 Phezulu insika lezi zazenziwe zafana leluba. Waphela-ke umsebenzi wokwenza izinsika.

23 Waphinda wabumba inkalakatha yetanka yamanzi* ngensimbi encibilikisiweyo.+ Yayiyisigombolozi futhi ububanzi bomlomo wayo babuzingalo ezilitshumi. Yayizingalo ezinhlanu ukuphakama njalo kwakungadingeka intambo eyizingalo ezingu-30 ukuyithandela yonke.+ 24 Ngaphansi komlomo wayo kwakulemiceciso enjengamaqhaga+ eyayiyigombolozele yonke, ingalo ngayinye ilemiceciso elitshumi. Imiceciso le yayisemizileni emibili njalo yayibunjwe yabambana letanka kwaba yintonye. 25 Itanka yayihlaliswe phezu kwenkunzi ezingu-12 ezazibunjiwe.+ Ezintathu zazikhangele enyakatho, ezintathu zikhangele entshonalanga, ezintathu zikhangele eningizimu njalo ezintathu zikhangele empumalanga. Zonke zazifulathelene futhi itanka yayihlezi phezu kwazo. 26 Ubuqatha bensimbi itanka eyayenziwe ngayo babulingana lobubanzi beminwe emine nxa ihlangene.* Umlomo wayo wawenziwe wafana lowenkomitsho, kungathi liluba eliqhakazileyo. Itanka le yayithelwa amanzi angamalitha angu-44 000.*

27 Waphinda wenza inqola* zekhopha ezilitshumi.+ Inqola ngayinye yayizingalo ezine ubude, lezingalo ezine ububanzi, lezingalo ezintathu ukuphakama. 28 Inqola lezi zazenziwe kanje: Emaceleni azo kwakulensimbi ezaziphambana njalo phakathi laphakathi kwensimbi lezi kwakulamazenge amancane. 29 Emazengeni ayephakathi kwensimbi lezi kwakulemiceciso yezilwane+ lezinkunzi kanye lamakherubhi+ njalo yayikhona lasezinsimbini ezazibambe amazenge. Ngaphansi kwezilwane lezinkunzi langaphezu kwazo kwakubunjelwe imiceciso yamaluba. 30 Inqola ngayinye yayilamaviri amane enziwe ngekhopha kanye lama-ekiseli enziwe ngekhopha njalo amaviri la ayebanjwe zinsimbi ezine ezazisemakhoneni. Phezulu yayilenditshi enkulu eyayibanjwe zinsimbi futhi eceleni kwensimbi ngayinye kwakulomceciso wamaluba obunjiweyo. 31 Umlomo wenditshi le wawuyisigombolozi njalo wawubunjwe wafana lomqhele. Ukusuka phansi kwenditshi kusiyafika lapho okuqalisela khona umqhele kwakuyingalo eyodwa. Nxa sekuhlangene konke lomqhele kwakuyingalo lengxenye. Umqhele lo wawulamazenge alamacele amane alinganayo ayelemiceciso. 32 Amaviri womane ayengaphansi emaceleni wonke njalo insimbi ezazibambe amaviri zazibambene lenqola. Iviri ngalinye laliyingalo eyodwa lengxenye ubude. 33 Amaviri la ayebunjwe afanana lamaviri enqola yamabhiza. Izisekelo zawo lamarimu lezipokisi lamahabha kwakwenziwe ngensimbi encibilikisiweyo. 34 Inqola ngayinye yayilensimbi ezine emakhoneni wonke njalo zazibunjwe zabambana lenqola. 35 Phezulu inqola le yayibunjwe yaba lomqhele oyisigombolozi owawuyingxenye yengalo. Insimbi zomqhele kanye lamazenge awo kwakubunjwe kwabambana lenqola kwaba yintonye. 36 Emazengeni lawo lasezinsimbini zakhona kwakudwetshwe imifanekiso yamakherubhi leyezilwane leyezihlahla zelala kusiya ngokuthi kulendawo enganani. Kwakubunjelwe lomceciso wamaluba, ugombolozele umqhele wonke.+ 37 Wazenza njalo zonke inqola ezilitshumi.+ Zabunjwa zafanana+ futhi zazilingana.

38 Waphinda wenza inditshi ezilitshumi ngekhopha.+ Inditshi ngayinye yayizingalo ezine ububanzi njalo yayingathwala amanzi angamalitha angu-880.* Inqola ngayinye yayilenditshi yayo. 39 Wafaka inqola ezinhlanu esandleni senxele eceleni kwendlu, wasefaka ezinye ezinhlanu eceleni elisesandleni sokudla. Wafaka itanka esandleni sokudla eceleni eliseningizimu kusiya ngasempumalanga.+

40 UHiramu+ wenza lezinditshi lamafotsholo+ lemiganu.+

Wawuqeda wonke umsebenzi ayewenzela iNkosi uSolomoni endlini kaJehova. Nanku akwenzayo:+ 41 Wenza insika ezimbili+ leziduku ezifana lodiwo ezaziphezu kwensika lezo. Wenza lamasefa ekhopha amabili+ ayevala iziduku lezo ezaziphezu kwezinsika, 42 lemiceciso engu-400 eyayibunjwe njengamaharinathi,+ wayifaka emasefeni womabili. Isefa ngayinye yayilemizila emibili yemiceciso le ukuze yembathise iziduku ezifana lodiwo ezaziphezu kwensika ezimbili. 43 Wenza lenqola ezilitshumi+ kanye lenditshi ezilitshumi+ ezaziphezu kwezinqola, 44 letanka,+ lenkunzi ezingu-12 ezazingaphansi kwetanka, 45 lamakani, lamafotsholo lemiganu lazo zonke izitsha ezenziwe ngekhopha ecazimulayo, uHiramu azenzela iNkosi uSolomoni ukuze zifakwe endlini kaJehova. 46 Inkosi yathi zenziwe ngamafoloma enziwe ngobumba esigabeni seJodani phakathi kweSukhothi leZarethani.

47 USolomoni kazange alinganise isisindo sempahla yonke le ngoba yayinengi kakhulu. Ikhopha eyasetshenziswayo akuzange kwaziwe ukuthi yayilesisindo esinganani.+ 48 USolomoni wenza zonke izitsha zendlu kaJehova. Wenza i-alithare+ legolide kanye letafula+ yegolide okwakuzabekwa kuyo isinkwa sokubukiswa. 49 Wenza lezinti zezibane+ ngegolide elicengekileyo, ezinhlanu wazifaka esandleni sokudla, ezinhlanu esandleni senxele duze lendlu engaphakathi. Wenza lemiceciso yamaluba aqhakazileyo,+ lezibane, lensimbi zokukhipha intambo zezibane esezitshile.* Konke lokhu wakwenza ngegolide.+ 50 Waphinda wenza izinditshi, lemiganu, lamankomitsho,+ lezigelo zokuquma intambo zezibane+ kanye lenkezwana zokuthwala amalahle.+ Konke lokhu wakwenza ngegolide elicengekileyo. Wenza lensimbi zegolide ezazibambe izivalo zendlu yangaphakathi+ okwakuthiwa yiNgcwelengcwele kanye lezivalo zendlu yethempeli.+

51 INkosi uSolomoni yawuqeda wonke umsebenzi wendlu kaJehova okwakumele iwenze. Yazingenisa endlini leyo izinto uyise uDavida ayezibekele inkonzo engcwele,*+ yasithatha isiliva legolide lezitsha yakufaka ezindlini zokugcinela inotho yendlu kaJehova.+

8 Ngalesosikhathi uSolomoni wabuthanisa+ abadala bako-Israyeli, bonke abakhokheli bezizwana kanye labakhokheli bezimuli zako-Israyeli.+ Babuya eJerusalema bazobuthana enkosini uSolomoni bezothatha ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova edolobheni likaDavida,+ iZiyoni.+ 2 Wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli abuthana phambi kweNkosi uSolomoni ngesikhathi somkhosi,* ngenyanga ka-Ethanimi,* inyanga yesikhombisa.+ 3 Bonke abadala bako-Israyeli bathi sebefikile, abaphristi bathwala ibhokisi.+ 4 Bathwala ibhokisi likaJehova, letende lokuhlangana,+ lazo zonke izitsha ezingcwele ezazisetendeni. Abaphristi lamaLevi bakuthwala konke lokhu. 5 INkosi uSolomoni labantu bonke bako-Israyeli ababebizwe ukuthi bazohlangana layo babephambi kwebhokisi. Kwenziwa imihlatshelo+ ngezimvu lenkomo ezinengi kakhulu ezazingeke zibalwe.

6 Ngemva kwalokho abaphristi bafaka ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova endaweni yalo+ endlini engaphakathi, iNgcwelengcwele. Balibeka ngaphansi kwempiko zamakherubhi.+

7 Impiko zamakherubhi zazivulekile ziphezu kwendawo okwakubekwe kuyo ibhokisi. Yikho amakherubhi ayeyembese ibhokisi lezibambo zalo.+ 8 Izibambo+ zazizinde zibonakala eNdaweni Engcwele ephambi kwendlu engaphakathi, kodwa zazingakhanyi nxa umuntu ephandle. Izinto lezi zilokhu zikhonapho kuze kube lamuhla. 9 Kwakungelalutho phakathi kwebhokisi ngaphandle kwamatshe amabili+ oMthetho afakwa nguMosi+ eHorebhi, lapho uJehova esenza isivumelwano+ labantu bako-Israyeli ngesikhathi bephuma eGibhithe.+

10 Abaphristi bathi bephuma endaweni engcwele, indlu kaJehova yembeswa liyezi.+ 11 Abaphristi behluleka ukwenza inkonzo yabo ngenxa yeyezi ngoba indlu kaJehova yayisigcwele inkazimulo kaJehova.+ 12 USolomoni wathi ekubona lokho wathi: “Jehova, wena wathi uzahlala emnyameni owesabekayo.+ 13 Sengikwakhele indlu ephakemeyo, indawo ozahlala kuyo kuze kube nini lanini.”+

14 Ngemva kwalokho iNkosi uSolomoni yatshibilika yabusisa bonke abantu bako-Israyeli. Ngalesosikhathi abantu babemile.+ 15 Yathi: “Kadunyiswe uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, lowo okwenzileyo ngesandla sakhe lokho akukhuluma ngomlomo wakhe lapho ethembisa ubaba uDavida esithi, 16 ‘Kusukela ngelanga engakhipha ngalo abantu bami bako-Israyeli eGibhithe, angikaze ngikhethe idolobho kuzo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli ukuthi ngakhelwe kulo indlu okuzadunyiswa khona ibizo lami,+ kodwa ngikhethe uDavida ukuthi abuse abantu bami bako-Israyeli.’ 17 UDavida ubaba wayefisa kakhulu* ukwakha indlu ezakwenza ibizo likaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli lidunyiswe.+ 18 Kodwa uJehova wathi kuDavida ubaba, ‘Ubufisa kakhulu* ukwakha indlu ezakwenza ibizo lami lidunyiswe futhi isifiso sakho besisihle. 19 Kodwa ayisuwe ozakwakha indlu le, indodana yakho ozayizala yiyo ezakwakha indlu ezakwenza ibizo lami lidunyiswe.’+ 20 UJehova usekwenzile lokho ayekuthembisile. Yimi esengingene esikhundleni sikaDavida ubaba futhi sengihlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi sako-Israyeli, njengoba nje uJehova wathembisa. Sengakhe lendlu ezakwenza ibizo likaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli lidunyiswe,+ 21 ngalungisa lendawo ezahlala ibhokisi okugcinwe kulo isivumelwano+ uJehova asenza labokhokho bethu ngesikhathi ebakhipha elizweni leGibhithe.”

22 Ngemva kwalokho uSolomoni wama phambi kwe-alithare likaJehova, abantu bonke bako-Israyeli bephambi kwakhe. Waphakamisela izandla zakhe ezulwini+ 23 wathi: “Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, akula omunye uNkulunkulu onjengawe+ phezulu ezulwini laphansi emhlabeni. Wena uyasigcina isivumelwano sakho futhi ulothando oluqotho+ ezincekwini zakho ezilandela imithetho yakho ngenhliziyo yonke.+ 24 Usigcwalisile isithembiso owasenza encekwini yakho uDavida ubaba. Wathembisa ngowakho umlomo futhi lamuhla ukwenzile ngesandla sakho lokho owawukuthembisile.+ 25 Khathesi-ke Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ngicela usigcine isithembiso owasenza encekwini yakho uDavida ubaba usithi: ‘Nxa amadodana akho angananzelela indlela aphila ngayo, athembeke futhi ahambe ezindleleni zami njengawe, akusoze kuswelakale umuntu wosendo lwakho ozahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sako-Israyeli.’+ 26 Ngakho-ke Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ngicela usigcwalise isithembiso owasenza encekwini yakho uDavida ubaba.

27 “Kambe wena Nkulunkulu ungahlala emhlabeni?+ Phela izulu ngokwalo, lona kanye izulu lamazulu alenelisi ukukuthwala.+ Pho indlu le engikwakhele yona ke? Incane kakhulu!+ 28 Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu wami, khathesi ngicela ulalele umthandazo wenceku yakho, lesicelo sayo sokuthi ube lomusa kuyo. Ngicela uyizwe inceku yakho ekhalela uncedo, uzwe lomthandazo ewuthandaza phambi kwakho lamuhla. 29 Amehlo akho kawahlale ekhangele indlu le ebusuku lemini, akhangele indawo owakhuluma ngayo wathi, ‘Ibizo lami lizakuba kuyo,’+ ukuze ulalele umthandazo inceku yakho ewenza ikhangele endaweni le.+ 30 Kwangathi ungalalela inceku yakho nxa ithandaza icela ukuthi ube lomusa kuyo, ulalele lezicelo abantu bakho bako-Israyeli abazenza bekhangele endaweni le. Sengathi ungezwa usendaweni yakho yokuhlala ezulwini,+ uzwe njalo uthethelele.+

31 “Nxa umuntu angonela umakhelwane wakhe,* umakhelwane wakhe amfungise* ukuze atshengise ukuthi ayisuye okwenzileyo lokho, umuntu lo owonileyo abesesiza phambi kwakho e-alithareni endlini le,+ 32 kwangathi ungezwa usezulwini wahlulele izinceku zakho, umbeke icala owenze okubi, umnike umvuzo walokho akwenzileyo njalo utsho ukuthi olungileyo kalacala ubusumnika umvuzo wokulunga kwakhe.+

33 “Nxa abantu bakho bako-Israyeli banganqotshwa yizitha zabo ngenxa yokuthi bebeqhubeka bekonela,+ besebephenduka badumise ibizo lakho+ njalo bathandaze besendlini le bekuncenga ukuthi ube lomusa kubo,+ 34 kwangathi ungezwa usezulwini uthethelele isono sabantu bakho bako-Israyeli, ubabuyisele elizweni owalinika okhokho babo.+

35 “Nxa amazulu angavaleka kungabi lezulu+ ngoba bebeqhubeka bekonela,+ besebethandaza bekhangele endaweni le badumise ibizo lakho njalo batshiye izono zabo ngenxa yokuthi ubajezisile,+ 36 sengathi ungezwa usezulwini uthethelele isono sezinceku zakho, abantu bako-Israyeli, ubusubafundisa+ okuhle okumele bakwenze njalo wenze ukuthi izulu line elizweni lakho+ owalinika abantu bakho ukuthi libe lilifa labo.

37 “Nxa kungaba lendlala elizweni,+ kumbe isifo, kumbe umoya otshisa izilimo, loba umkhuhlane ohlasela izilimo,+ loba umtshitshi wentethe, kumbe intethe ezitshaya zibhuqe emasimini, kumbe nxa isitha singabavimbezela kwelinye lamadolobho aselizweni, loba kube lolunye uhlupho kumbe umkhuhlane,+ 38 besekusithi loba ngubani kumbe bonke abantu bakho bako-Israyeli bathandaze becela ukuthi ube lomusa kubo+ njalo baphakamise izandla zabo bekhangele endlini le, (ngoba umuntu ngamunye uyalwazi uhlupho olusenhliziyweni yakhe)+ 39 kwangathi ungezwa usezulwini lapho ohlala khona,+ ubathethelele+ njalo ubancede, ubusunika umuntu ngamunye umvuzo ohambelana lezenzo zakhe+ ngoba wena uyazazi inhliziyo zabo. (Nguwe wedwa okwazi kuhle okusenhliziyweni yomuntu ngamunye.)+ 40 Lokhu kuzakwenza bakwesabe zonke insuku behlala elizweni owalinika okhokho bethu.

41 “Lomuntu wesinye isizwe ongayisuye wako-Israyeli osuka elizweni elikhatshana ngoba ezwe ngebizo lakho,+ 42 obuya lapha azothandaza ekhangele endlini le (ngoba bazakuzwa ngebizo lakho elikhulu+ langesandla sakho esilamandla langengalo yakho eyeluliweyo), 43 kwangathi ungamlalela usezulwini lapho ohlala khona,+ wenze konke lowomuntu wesinye isizwe acela ukuthi umenzele khona ukuze bonke abantu abasemhlabeni balazi ibizo lakho njalo bakwesabe+ njengabantu bakho bako-Israyeli, bakwazi ukuthi indlu le engiyakhileyo yenza ukuthi ibizo lakho lidunyiswe.

44 “Nxa abantu bakho ungabathuma+ loba ngaphi ukuthi bayekulwa lezitha zabo, besebethandaza+ kuwe Jehova bekhangele edolobheni olikhethileyo+ lasendlini engiyakhele ukuthi yenze ibizo lakho lidunyiswe,+ 45 sengathi ungawuzwa umthandazo wabo usezulwini, uzwe lesicelo sabo sokuthi ube lomusa kubo, ubusubancedisa.

46 “Nxa bangakonela (njengoba kungelamuntu ongoniyo),+ ubusubathukuthelela ubanikele esitheni sabo sibathumbe sihambe labo elizweni laso, kungelani lokuthi likhatshana kumbe liseduze,+ 47 besebezisola bekhonale elizweni lesitha sabo,+ baphenduke kuwe+ bakuncenge ukuthi ube lomusa kubo beselizweni lesitha sabo+ besithi, ‘Sonile senza okubi, siphambanisile,’+ 48 besebephenduka kuwe ngenhliziyo yonke+ langomphefumulo* wonke bekhonale elizweni lesitha sabo esabathumbayo, njalo bathandaze kuwe bekhangele elizweni labo owalinika okhokho babo futhi bekhangele edolobheni olikhethileyo lasendlini engiyakhele ukuthi yenze ibizo lakho lidunyiswe,+ 49 kwangathi ungawuzwa umthandazo wabo usezulwini lapho ohlala khona,+ uzwe lesicelo sabo sokuthi ube lomusa kubo, ubusubanceda 50 njalo ubathethelele abantu bakho abakoneleyo, ubaxolele zonke iziphambeko zabo abazenzileyo phambi kwakho, ubususenza ukuthi izitha zabo ezabathumbayo zibazwele. Zizabazwela sibili+ 51 (ngoba balilifa lakho njalo bangabantu bakho+ owabakhipha eGibhithe+ phakathi kwesithando somlilo wokuncibilikisa insimbi).+ 52 Kwangathi ungavula amehlo akho ubone lapho inceku yakho icela ukuthi uyenzele umusa+ lalapho abantu bakho bako-Israyeli becela ukuthi ube lomusa kubo, ubalalele loba nini lapho bethandaza kuwe.*+ 53 Phela wabakhetha phakathi kwezizwe zonke wabenza baba lilifa lakho,+ njengoba nje watsho usebenzisa inceku yakho uMosi ngesikhathi ukhipha okhokho bethu eGibhithe, awu Nkosi Enkulu Jehova.”

54 USolomoni wathi eqeda ukuthandaza kuJehova lokucela ukuthi amenzele umusa, wasukuma phambi kwe-alithare likaJehova lapho ayeguqe khona ephakamisele izandla zakhe ezulwini.+ 55 Wama wabusisa bonke abantu bako-Israyeli, wakhuluma ngelizwi eliphezulu wathi: 56 “Kadunyiswe uJehova onike abantu bakhe bako-Israyeli indawo yokuphumula njengoba nje wathembisa.+ Asikho ngitsho lesisodwa isithembiso esihle asikhuluma esebenzisa inceku yakhe uMosi esingazange sigcwaliseke.+ 57 Kwangathi uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu angaba lathi njengoba wayelabokhokho bethu,+ angasilahli futhi angasitshiyi.+ 58 Sengathi angenza sibe lesifiso sokuhamba*+ kuzo zonke izindlela zakhe, sigcine imilayo yakhe lemithetho yakhe lezahlulelo zakhe atshela okhokho bethu ukuthi bazigcine. 59 Amazwi la engiwakhulumileyo ngincenga uJehova ukuthi angenzele umusa, kwangathi uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu angahlala ewakhumbula ubusuku lemini ukuze nsuku zonke abone ukuthi inceku yakhe kanye labantu bakhe bako-Israyeli bahlulelwa kuhle. 60 Lokhu kuzakwenza zonke izizwe ezisemhlabeni zikwazi ukuthi uJehova nguNkulunkulu weqiniso,+ kakho omunye.+ 61 Ngakho zinikeleni ngokupheleleyo*+ kuJehova uNkulunkulu wethu, lilandele imithetho yakhe njalo ligcine imilayo yakhe njengoba lisenza lamuhla.”

62 Ngemva kwalokho inkosi labo bonke abantu bako-Israyeli ababelapho benza imihlatshelo eminengi phambi kukaJehova.+ 63 USolomoni wenza imihlatshelo yobudlelwano+ phambi kukaJehova. Wanikela ngenkomo ezingu-22 000 langezimvu ezingu-120 000. Ngakho inkosi labo bonke abantu bako-Israyeli bathakazelela ukuphela kokwakhiwa kwendlu kaJehova.+ 64 Ngalelolanga inkosi yangcwelisa indawo esegumeni eliphambi kwendlu kaJehova ngoba kwasekumele yenzele kuyo imihlatshelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yamabele, inikele langamafutha emihlatshelo yobudlelwano. Phela i-alithare lekhopha+ elaliphambi kukaJehova lalilincane kakhulu ukuthi kwenzelwe kulo imihlatshelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yamabele leyamafutha+ emihlatshelo yobudlelwano. 65 Ngalesosikhathi uSolomoni labantu bonke bako-Israyeli benza umkhosi.+ Kwakulabantu abanengi kakhulu ababebuye bevela eLebho-hamathi* kuze kuyefika esihotsheni* seGibhithe.+ Benza umkhosi phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu okwamalanga ayisikhombisa, baphinda baqhubeka futhi okwamanye amalanga ayisikhombisa, esewonke ayengu-14. 66 Ngelanga elilandelayo* uSolomoni wathi abantu babuyele emizini yabo. Abantu bayibusisa inkosi basebebuyela emizini yabo bethokoza njalo lenhliziyo zabo zichelesile ngenxa yakho konke okuhle+ uJehova ayekwenzele inceku yakhe uDavida labantu bakhe bako-Israyeli.

9 USolomoni wathi eqeda nje ukwakha indlu kaJehova lendlu yenkosi*+ lakho konke ayefuna ukukwakha,+ 2 uJehova wabonakala kuye okwesibili njengoba wayeke wabonakala kuye eGibhiyoni.+ 3 UJehova wathi kuye: “Ngiwuzwile umthandazo wakho lesicelo sakho osenze phambi kwami esokuthi ngibe lomusa kuwe. Indlu le oyakhileyo sengiyenze yaba ngcwele, ngafaka kuyo ibizo lami ukuthi lihlale kuyo kuze kube nini lanini.+ Ngizaqhubeka ngiyikhangele futhi inhliziyo yami izahlala ikuyo zikhathi zonke.+ 4 Nxa ungahamba ezindleleni zami njengoyihlo uDavida,+ ube lenhliziyo eqotho+ futhi uthembeke,+ wenze konke engikutshele khona+ njalo ulalele imithetho yami lezahlulelo zami,+ 5 ngizaqinisa umbuso wakho ko-Israyeli kuze kube nini lanini, njengoba nje ngathembisa uyihlo uDavida ngathi, ‘Akusoze kuswelakale umuntu wosendo lwakho ozahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sako-Israyeli.’+ 6 Kodwa nxa wena lamadodana akho lingayekela ukungilandela futhi lephule imilayo yami lezimiso zami engilinike zona, beselihamba liyekhonza abanye onkulunkulu libakhothamele,+ 7 ngizabasusa bonke abako-Israyeli elizweni engibaphe lona+ futhi lendlu engiyenze yaba ngcwele ngenxa yebizo lami ngizayisusa phambi kwami.+ Abako-Israyeli bazakuba yinhlekisa ebantwini futhi bazachothozwa ngabantu bezizwe zonke.+ 8 Indlu le izakuba lunxiwa+ njalo wonke umuntu odlulayo uzayikhangela amangale kakhulu, anikine ikhanda* esithi, ‘Kungani uJehova enze into enje elizweni leli lasendlini le?’+ 9 Bazamphendula bathi, ‘UJehova ubehlisele umonakalo lo ngenxa yokuthi bamtshiyile uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo owakhipha okhokho babo elizweni leGibhithe, balandela abanye onkulunkulu babakhonza futhi babakhothamela.’”+

10 Kwathi kusiyaphela iminyaka engu-20, uSolomoni wayeseyakhe izindlu ezimbili, indlu kaJehova lendlu yakhe.*+ 11 UHiramu+ inkosi yeThire wayenike uSolomoni izigodo zomsedari lezomjunipha kanye legolide lonke ayelifuna.+ INkosi uSolomoni yona yanika uHiramu amadolobho angu-20 emangweni weGalile. 12 Ngakho uHiramu wasuka eThire wayabona amadolobho ayewaphiwe nguSolomoni, kodwa kazange awathande. 13 Yikho wathi kuSolomoni: “Ngamadolobho bani la onginike wona mfowethu?” Ngakho amadolobho la abizwa ngokuthi lilizwe leKhabhuli* kuze kube lamuhla. 14 UHiramu wathumela iNkosi uSolomoni igolide elingamathalenta* angu-120.+

15 Le yindaba emayelana labantu iNkosi uSolomoni eyababuthayo ukuthi bayisebenzele+ besakha indlu kaJehova,+ lendlu yayo,* leMilo,*+ lomduli weJerusalema, leHazori,+ leMegido+ kanye leGezeri.+ 16 (UFaro inkosi yeGibhithe wayebuye wahlasela idolobho leGezeri walitshisa ngomlilo njalo wabulala amaKhenani+ wonke ayehlala khona. Ngakho wakhunga indodakazi yakhe,+ inkosikazi kaSolomoni ngedolobho lelo.) 17 USolomoni wakha* iGezeri, leBhethi-horoni ephansi,+ 18 leBhahalathi,+ leThamari esenkangala ephakathi kwelizwe. 19 Wakha lawo wonke amadolobho ayeleziphala zikaSolomoni, lawezinqola zakhe zempi,+ lawamabutho agada amabhiza. USolomoni wakha konke nje ayefuna ukukwakha eJerusalema, laseLebhanoni, lakulo lonke ilizwe elalingaphansi kombuso wakhe. 20 Bonke abantu ababengayisibo bako-Israyeli,+ ababeyizizukulwane zama-Amori, lezamaHithi, lezamaPherizi, lezamaHivi, lezamaJebusi,+ 21 labo ababesele elizweni, bathathwa nguSolomoni ukuthi bamsebenzele futhi balokhu beyizigqili kuze kube lamuhla.+ Abantu bako-Israyeli babeyehlulekile ukubatshabalalisa abantu laba. 22 Kodwa uSolomoni kazange enze abako-Israyeli babe yizigqili+ ngoba yibo ababengamabutho akhe, lezinceku zakhe, lezikhulu zombuso, labaphathi bebutho, lezinduna zamabutho agada amabhiza lezinqola zempi. 23 Kwakulezinduna zabaphathi ezingu-550 futhi yizo ezazikhangela izisebenzi zikaSolomoni.+

24 Indodakazi kaFaro+ yasuka edolobheni likaDavida+ yayahlala endlini yayo eyayiyakhelwe nguSolomoni. Ngemva kwalokho uSolomoni wakha leMilo.*+

25 Kathathu ngomnyaka+ uSolomoni wayesenza imihlatshelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yobudlelwano e-alithareni ayelakhele uJehova,+ etshisa imihlatshelo e-alithareni elaliphambi kukaJehova. Waqeda-ke ukwakha ithempeli.+

26 INkosi uSolomoni yenza imikhumbi eminengi e-Eziyoni-gebheri+ eseduze le-Elothi, ekhunjini loLwandle Olubomvu elizweni lako-Edomi.+ 27 UHiramu wathuma izisebenzi zakhe ezazijayele ukuhamba ngemikhumbi+ kanye labatshayeli bemikhumbi ababelwazi kuhle ulwandle ukuthi bayesebenza lezisebenzi zikaSolomoni. 28 Izisebenzi lezi zaya e-Ofiri+ zayathatha igolide elingamathalenta angu-420 zaliletha enkosini uSolomoni.

10 Indlovukazi yeShebha yezwa ngodumo lukaSolomoni lokuthi wayeluthole ngenxa yebizo likaJehova.+ Ngakho yabuya izomlinga ngemibuzo ephicayo.+ 2 Yafika eJerusalema lezinceku zayo ezinengi kakhulu,+ lamakamela ayethwele amafutha ebhalisamu,+ legolide elinengi kanye lamatshe aligugu. Yahamba kuSolomoni yafika yakhuluma laye ngezinto zonke eyayifuna ukuzazi. 3 USolomoni wayiphendula yonke imibuzo yayo. Kazange ehluleke ukuchasisa loba yini eyabuzwa yindlovukazi le.

4 Indlovukazi yeShebha yathi isibone konke ukuhlakanipha kukaSolomoni+ lendlu ayeyakhile,+ 5 lokudla okwakusiba setafuleni yakhe,+ lendlela izinceku zakhe ezazihlezi ngayo, lababeletha okunathwayo, lendlela abaphathi bezitsha* ababesebenza ngayo lababegqoka ngayo, lemihlatshelo yokutshiswa uSolomoni ayeyinikela endlini kaJehova zikhathi zonke, yamangala kakhulu 6 yathi enkosini: “Engakuzwayo ngiselizweni lami mayelana lokuhlakanipha kwakho lemisebenzi yakho* kuliqiniso sibili. 7 Kodwa angizange ngikukholwe engakuzwayo ngaze ngafika lapha ngazibonela ngawami. Engakutshelwayo kulutshwana kakhulu, ukuhlakanipha kwakho lenotho yakho kwedlula khatshana lokho engakuzwayo. 8 Bayathokoza kakhulu abantu bakho futhi ziyathokoza lezinceku zakho ezima phambi kwakho zikhathi zonke zilalela inhlakanipho yakho.+ 9 Kadunyiswe uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho+ owakuthandayo wakubeka esihlalweni sobukhosi sako-Israyeli. Wakubeka waba yinkosi ukuze abako-Israyeli bahlulelwe kuhle langokulunga ngoba uJehova uyabathanda abako-Israyeli futhi uzahlala ebathanda.”

10 Ngemva kwalokho indlovukazi yeShebha yanika inkosi igolide elingamathalenta* angu-120 lamafutha ebhalisamu+ amanengi kakhulu kanye lamatshe aligugu.+ Akuzange kuphinde kulethwe amafutha ebhalisamu amanengi njengalawo indlovukazi yeShebha eyawanika iNkosi uSolomoni.

11 Imikhumbi kaHiramu eyayibuya legolide lase-Ofiri+ yayibuya lezigodo ze-aligami+ ezinengi kakhulu kanye lamatshe aligugu.+ 12 Inkosi yenza izisekelo zendlu kaJehova lezendlu yenkosi* ngezigodo ze-aligami. Yenza lamahabhu* leziginci zabahlabeleli.+ Izigodo ze-aligami ezinjengalezi azizange ziphinde zilethwe njalo azikaze zibonakale kuze kube lamuhla.

13 USolomoni wanika indlovukazi yeShebha konke eyayikufuna lalokho eyayikucela, phezu kwesipho ayeyinike sona ngesihle. Ngemva kwalokho indlovukazi yeShebha yabuyela elizweni layo lezinceku zayo.+

14 Igolide elalitholwa nguSolomoni ngomnyaka lalingamathalenta angu-666,+ 15 kungabalwa lelo ayelithola kubathengi labathengisi, lenzuzo ayeyithola ngamabhizinesi kanye lalelo ayelithola kuwo wonke amakhosi ama-Arabhu lababusi* belizwe.

16 INkosi uSolomoni yenza amahawu amakhulu angu-200 ngegolide elihlanganiswe lensimbi.+ (Ihawu ngalinye lalenziwe ngegolide elingamashekheli* angu-600.)+ 17 Yenza lamahawu amancane* angu-300 ngegolide elihlanganiswe lensimbi. (Ihawu ngalinye lalenziwe ngegolide elingamamina* amathathu.) Yawafaka eNdlini yeGusu laseLebhanoni.+

18 Inkosi yenza lesihlalo sobukhosi esikhulu ngempondo zendlovu,+ yasihuqa ngegolide elicengekileyo.+ 19 Kwakulamasitephisi ayisithupha ayeqansa esiya esihlalweni sobukhosi futhi isihlalo sobukhosi sasilophahla oluyisigombolozi phezu kwaso. Isihlalo sobukhosi sasilezindawo zokubeka ingalo njalo eceleni ngalinye kwakulesilwane esibunjiweyo,+ duze lendawo yokubeka ingalo. 20 Kwakulezilwane ezibunjiweyo ezingu-12 ezazimi emasitephisini ayisithupha, kuleziyisithupha kwelinye icele leziyisithupha kwelinye. Akula omunye umbuso owawulesihlalo sobukhosi esifanana laleso.

21 Zonke izitsha iNkosi uSolomoni eyayinatha ngazo zazenziwe ngegolide futhi zonke izitsha ezaziseNdlini yeGusu laseLebhanoni+ zazenziwe ngegolide elicengekileyo. Kwakungelalutho olwalwenziwe ngesiliva ngoba isiliva sasingasilutho ngensuku zikaSolomoni.+ 22 Inkosi yayilemikhumbi eminengi yeThashishi+ elwandle. Imikhumbi le yayindawonye lemikhumbi kaHiramu. Yayibuya kanye ngemva kweminyaka emithathu ithwele igolide, lesiliva, lempondo zendlovu,+ lenkawu, lamaphikhokho.

23 INkosi uSolomoni yayinothile+ futhi ihlakaniphile+ ukwedlula wonke amakhosi omhlaba. 24 Abantu bonke emhlabeni babefisa ukumbona uSolomoni ukuze bazizwele ngezabo inhlakanipho eyayifakwe nguNkulunkulu enhliziyweni yakhe.+ 25 Babebuya lezipho, izitsha zesiliva lezegolide, lezigqoko, lezikhali, lamafutha ebhalisamu, lamabhiza lezimbongolo.* Lokhu kwakusenzakala minyaka yonke.

26 USolomoni waqhubeka engezelela izinqola zempi lamabhiza.* Wayelezinqola zempi ezingu-1 400 lamabhiza angu-12 000.*+ Wayekugcina emadolobheni ezinqola zempi laseduze lalapho ayehlala khona eJerusalema.+

27 Inkosi yenza ukuthi eJerusalema kube lesiliva esinengi njengamatshe. Yenza lezigodo zomsedari zaba zinengi angathi yizihlahla zomsikhamori eziseShefela.+

28 Amabhiza kaSolomoni ayethengwe eGibhithe futhi izisebenzi ezazithengela inkosi zazithenga umhlambi wamabhiza* ngentengo efakiweyo.+ 29 EGibhithe inqola ngayinye yayithengwa ngenhlamvu zesiliva ezingu-600, ibhiza elilodwa lizinhlamvu zesiliva ezingu-150. Babesithi bangawathenga, labo bawathengisele wonke amakhosi amaHithi+ lamakhosi eSiriya.

11 INkosi uSolomoni yathatha indodakazi kaFaro,+ yaphinda yathanda labanye abafazi abanengi ababengabezinye izizwe.+ Yathatha abesifazana abangamaMowabi,+ lama-Amoni,+ lama-Edomi, lamaSidoni,+ lamaHithi.+ 2 Babengabezizwe uJehova ayekhulume ngazo labako-Israyeli wathi: “Akumelanga lidlelane lazo* ngoba zizahuga inhliziyo zenu ukuthi zilandele onkulunkulu bazo.”+ Kodwa uSolomoni yena wayebathanda abafazi labo njalo wanamathela kubo. 3 Wayelamakhosikazi angu-700 ayengawesikhosini labanye abafazi abangu-300. Amakhosikazi akhe ayiphambula kancane kancane inhliziyo yakhe. 4 USolomoni wathi esegugile,+ amakhosikazi akhe ayiphambula inhliziyo yakhe yalandela abanye onkulunkulu.+ Kazange azinikele kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe ngenhliziyo yonke futhi kenzanga njengoyise uDavida. 5 USolomoni wakhonza u-Ashithorethi+ unkulunkulukazi wamaSidoni loMilikhomu+ unkulunkulu wama-Amoni owenyanyekayo. 6 Wenza okubi phambi kukaJehova njalo kazinikelanga kuJehova ngenhliziyo yonke, kazange enze njengoyise uDavida.+

7 Ngalesosikhathi uSolomoni wakha indawo ephakemeyo+ entabeni ephambi kweJerusalema, esakhela uKhemoshi unkulunkulu wamaMowabi owenyanyekayo. Wakhela loMolekhi+ unkulunkulu wama-Amoni owenyanyekayo+ indawo ephakemeyo. 8 Lokhu yikho akwenzela abafazi bakhe bezinye izizwe ababetshisa imihlatshelo, benikela kubonkulunkulu babo.

9 UJehova wamthukuthelela kakhulu uSolomoni ngoba inhliziyo yakhe yayisiphambukile watshiya uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli+ owayebonakale kuye kabili+ 10 wamxwayisa ngakho lokho, wamtshela ukuthi akumelanga akhonze abanye onkulunkulu.+ Kodwa uSolomoni kazange akulalele lokho ayekutshelwe nguJehova. 11 Ngakho uJehova wathi kuSolomoni: “Ngenxa yokuthi ungitshiyile njalo awusigcinanga isivumelwano sami lemilayo yami engakunika yona, ngizakuthathela umbuso ngiwuphe enye yezinceku zakho.+ 12 Kodwa lokhu angisoze ngikwenze wena usaphila ngenxa kayihlo uDavida. Umbuso ngizawuthatha ezandleni zendodana yakho,+ 13 kodwa angisoze ngiyithathele wonke umbuso.+ Indodana yakho ngizayinika isizwana esisodwa+ ngenxa yenceku yami uDavida langenxa yeJerusalema engayikhethayo.”+

14 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wavusela uSolomoni isitha.+ Isitha lesi kwakunguHadadi um-Edomi owayezalwa emulini yesikhosini ko-Edomi.+ 15 Ngesikhathi uDavida aze anqobe abako-Edomi,+ uJowabi induna yebutho wahamba wayangcwaba ababebulewe njalo wazama ukubulala bonke abesilisa bako-Edomi. 16 (UJowabi lawo wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli bahlala lapho okwenyanga eziyisithupha, baze bababulala bonke abesilisa bako-Edomi.) 17 Kodwa uHadadi wabaleka lezinye izinceku zikayise ezazingama-Edomi baya eGibhithe. Ngalesosikhathi uHadadi wayengumfanyana nje. 18 Basuka koMidiyani baya ePharani+ bafika bathatha amanye amadoda bahamba lawo. Bafika eGibhithe kuFaro inkosi yeGibhithe, uFaro wanika uHadadi indawo lendlu kanye lokudla. 19 UFaro wamthanda uHadadi waze wamendisela udadewabo womkakhe, udadewabo kaThaphenesi indlovukazi. 20 Ngemva kwesikhathi udadewabo kaThaphenesi wazalela uHadadi indodana okuthiwa nguGenubhathi njalo uThaphenesi wayikhulisela endlini kaFaro. Ngakho uGenubhathi wahlala endlini kaFaro ndawonye lamadodana kaFaro.

21 UHadadi wathi eseGibhithe wezwa ukuthi uDavida wayesefile+ lokuthi uJowabi induna yebutho laye wayesefile.+ Yikho wathi kuFaro: “Ngicela ungivumele ngiye elizweni lakithi.” 22 Kodwa uFaro wathi kuye: “Kuyini okuswelayo lapha ukuthi usungaze ufune ukubuyela elizweni lakini?” UHadadi waphendula wathi: “Angisweli lutho, kodwa ngicela ungivumele ngihambe.”

23 UNkulunkulu waphinda wavusela uSolomoni esinye isitha,+ uRezoni indodana ka-Eliyada. URezoni wayebalekele inkosi yakhe uHadadezeri,+ inkosi yeZobha. 24 UDavida wathi esenqobe uHadadezeri,+ uRezoni waqoqa amadoda wabumba iqembu labahlaseli, yena waba ngumkhokheli walo. URezoni lamadoda la basuka baya eDamaseko+ bafika bahlala khona, waqalisa ukubusa eDamaseko. 25 URezoni waba yisitha sabako-Israyeli zonke insuku zikaSolomoni, wangezelela phezu komonakalo owawenziwe nguHadadi. Wayebazonda kakhulu abantu bako-Israyeli ngesikhathi ebusa iSiriya.

26 KwakuloJerobhowami+ indodana kaNebhathi, um-Efrayimi waseZereda owayeyinceku kaSolomoni.+ Unina kwakuthiwa nguZeruwa njalo wayengumfelokazi. UJerobhowami laye waqalisa ukuhlamukela inkosi.+ 27 Nanku okwenza wahlamuka: USolomoni wayeyakhe iMilo*+ njalo wakha lomduli wavala isikhala esasisedolobheni likaDavida uyise.+ 28 UJerobhowami wayewenza kuhle umsebenzi ayewuphiwa. Yikho uSolomoni wathi ebona ukuthi wayekhuthele, wambeka ukuthi akhangele+ bonke abendlu kaJosefa ababebuthelwe ukuthi basebenzele inkosi. 29 Ngelinye ilanga uJerobhowami waphuma eJerusalema, wasehlangana lomphrofethi u-Ahija+ waseShilo endleleni. Babebodwa egangeni futhi u-Ahija wayegqoke isembatho esitsha. 30 Wabamba isembatho ayesigqokile wasidabula saba yiziqa ezingu-12, 31 wasesithi kuJerobhowami:

“Thatha iziqa ezilitshumi ngoba nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli: ‘Sengidabula umbuso ngiwususe esandleni sikaSolomoni futhi wena ngizakupha izizwana ezilitshumi.+ 32 Kodwa yena uzasala lesizwana esisodwa+ ngenxa yenceku yami uDavida+ langenxa yeJerusalema, idolobho engilikhethileyo kuzo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli.+ 33 Lokhu ngizakwenza ngoba bangitshiyile+ bayakhonza u-Ashithorethi unkulunkulukazi wamaSidoni, loKhemoshi unkulunkulu wamaMowabi, loMilikhomu unkulunkulu wama-Amoni. Abazange balandele izindlela zami ngokwenza okulungileyo phambi kwami njalo abayigcinanga imithetho yami lezahlulelo zami, abenzanga njengoDavida uyise kaSolomoni. 34 Kodwa uSolomoni angisoze ngimthathele wonke umbuso futhi ngizamyekela engumbusi okwempilo yakhe yonke, ngenxa kaDavida inceku yami engayikhethayo+ ngoba uDavida wayilalela imithetho yami lemilayo yami. 35 Umbuso ngizawuthatha esandleni sendodana yakhe ngiwunike wena, ngizakunika izizwana ezilitshumi.+ 36 Indodana yakhe ngizayinika isizwana esisodwa ukuze kuhlale kulomuntu wosendo lwenceku yami uDavida obusayo eJerusalema,*+ idolobho engalikhethayo ukuze ngibeke kulo ibizo lami. 37 Ngizakubeka ube yinkosi phezu kwabako-Israyeli njalo uzabusa phezu kwakho konke okufunayo. 38 Nxa ungalalela konke engikutshela khona, uhambe ezindleleni zami futhi wenze okulungileyo phambi kwami, ulalele imithetho yami lemilayo yami njengoDavida inceku yami,+ ngizakuba lawe. Ngizakwakhela indlu ezahlala isikhathi eside njengoba nje loDavida ngamakhela indlu+ futhi ngizakunika abantu bako-Israyeli. 39 Izizukulwane zikaDavida ngizazehlisa isithunzi ngenxa yalokho,+ kodwa akusoze kuhlale kunjalo.’”+

40 Ngakho uSolomoni wazama ukubulala uJerobhowami kodwa uJerobhowami wabaleka waya eGibhithe kuShishakhi+ inkosi yeGibhithe+ njalo wahlala khona uSolomoni waze wafa.

41 Yonke imbali kaSolomoni lakho konke akwenzayo kanye lokuhlakanipha kwakhe kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali kaSolomoni.+ 42 USolomoni wabusa eJerusalema phezu kwabo bonke abako-Israyeli okweminyaka engu-40. 43 Wafa wangcwatshwa edolobheni likaDavida uyise. Indodana yakhe uRehobhowami+ yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

12 URehobhowami waya eShekhemu ngoba bonke abako-Israyeli babebuthene khona+ ukuze bambeke ukuthi abe yinkosi.+ 2 UJerobhowami indodana kaNebhathi wakuzwa lokho. (Ngalesosikhathi wayelokhu eseGibhithe ngoba wayebalekele iNkosi uSolomoni wayahlala eGibhithe.)+ 3 Ngakho bathumela ilizwi bathi ayebizwa. UJerobhowami labo bonke abako-Israyeli balanda uRehobhowami bafika bathi kuye: 4 “Uyihlo wayesithwalise ijogwe elinzima.+ Kodwa nxa wena ungenza umthwalo esasiwuthwaliswe nguyihlo ube lula futhi usiphungulele umsebenzi onzima ayesinike wona, sizakuba zinceku zakho.”

5 URehobhowami wathi kubo: “Buyelani liphenduke kimi ngemva kwamalanga amathathu.” Ngakho abantu basuka bahamba.+ 6 INkosi uRehobhowami yakhuluma lamadoda amadala ayezinceku zikayise* uSolomoni ngesikhathi esaphila yathi: “Ngicela lingicebise ukuthi ngibaphendule njani abantu laba.” 7 Bamphendula bathi: “Nxa lamuhla ungakhetha ukuba yinceku yabantu laba, uvume lokho abakucelayo futhi ubaphe impendulo ezabathokozisa, bazahlala bezinceku zakho.”

8 Kodwa uRehobhowami kazange alilalele icebo ayeliphiwe ngamadoda amadala.* Wasuka wayakhuluma lamajaha ayekhule lawo ayesezinceku zakhe.+ 9 Wathi kuwo: “Ngicela lingicebise ukuthi singabaphendula njani abantu laba abathi kimi, ‘Yenza umthwalo osindayo esawuthwaliswa nguyihlo ube lula.’” 10 Amajaha ayekhule lawo athi kuye: “Nanku okumele ukutsho ebantwini abathe kuwe, ‘Uyihlo wenza umthwalo wethu waba nzima kodwa wena kumele uwenze ube lula.’ Uthi kubo, ‘Ucikilicane wami uzakuba qatha ukwedlula ukhalo lukababa. 11 Ubaba walithwalisa umthwalo onzima kodwa mina ngizawenza ube nzima kakhulu. Ubaba wayelitshaya ngemichilo kodwa mina ngizalibhaxabula ngemvubu.’”

12 UJerobhowami labo bonke abantu babuyela kuRehobhowami ngelanga lesithathu, njengoba wayethe baphenduke kuye ngelanga lesithathu.+ 13 Inkosi yaphendula abantu ngamazwi alukhuni, kayizange ilalele lokho amadoda amadala ayeyicebise* khona. 14 Yalandela lokho eyayikucetshiswe ngamajaha eyayikhule lawo, yathi ebantwini: “Ubaba wenza umthwalo wenu waba nzima kodwa mina ngizangezelela umthwalo wenu. Ubaba wayelijezisa ngemichilo kodwa mina ngizalibhaxabula ngemvubu.” 15 Inkosi ayizange ibalalele abantu ngoba uJehova nguye owayebangele ukuthi konke lokhu kwenzakale,+ ukuze kugcwaliseke ilizwi uJehova athuma u-Ahija+ waseShilo ukuthi ayelitshela uJerobhowami indodana kaNebhathi.

16 Bonke abako-Israyeli bathi bebona ukuthi inkosi ayifuni ukubalalela, bayiphendula bathi: “Kanti vele silasiphi isabelo kuDavida? Akulalifa esizalithola endodaneni kaJese. Buyelani kubonkulunkulu benu bantu bako-Israyeli. Khathesi zigcinele indlu yakho Davida!” Abako-Israyeli bahle babuyela emizini yabo.*+ 17 Kodwa uRehobhowami waqhubeka ebusa ama-Israyeli ayehlala emadolobheni akoJuda.+

18 INkosi uRehobhowami yathuma u-Adoramu+ owayekhangela labo ababebuthelwe ukuthi basebenzele inkosi, kodwa bonke abako-Israyeli bamkhanda ngamatshe wafa. INkosi uRehobhowami yona yagada inqola yayo yabalekela eJerusalema.+ 19 Abako-Israyeli bayihlamukela+ indlu kaDavida kusukela ngalesosikhathi kuze kube lamuhla.

20 Bonke abako-Israyeli bathi besizwa nje ukuthi uJerobhowami wayesephendukile, babuthana basebebiza uJerobhowami bambeka ukuthi abe yinkosi phezu kwabo bonke abako-Israyeli.+ Akula ngitsho loyedwa owalandela abendlu kaDavida ngaphandle kwesizwana sakoJuda.+

21 URehobhowami wathi efika eJerusalema waqoqa wonke amadoda akoJuda lawesizwana sakoBhenjamini, amabutho angu-180 000 ayefundele impi,* ukuze ayekulwa labako-Israyeli abuyisele ubukhosi kuRehobhowami indodana kaSolomoni.+ 22 Kusenjalo ilizwi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso lafika kuShemaya+ umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso lathi: 23 “Khuluma loRehobhowami indodana kaSolomoni inkosi yakoJuda, lendlu yonke yakoJuda, labakoBhenjamini kanye labantu bonke nje uthi, 24 ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Akumelanga liyekulwa labafowenu bako-Israyeli. Ngamunye wenu kabuyele emzini wakhe ngoba yimi engibangele ukuthi konke lokhu kwenzakale.”’”+ Ngakho balilalela ilizwi likaJehova babuyela emizini yabo njengoba nje uJehova wayebatshelile.

25 UJerobhowami wakha* iShekhemu+ eyayisezintabeni zako-Efrayimi wahlala khona. Ngemva kwalokho wakha* iPhenuweli.+ 26 UJerobhowami wathi enhliziyweni yakhe: “Umbuso uzabuyela kwabendlu kaDavida.+ 27 Nxa abantu laba bangaqhubeka besiyakwenza imihlatshelo endlini kaJehova eJerusalema,+ inhliziyo zabo zizahugeka babuyele enkosini yabo uRehobhowami, inkosi yakoJuda. Bazangibulala sibili babuyele kuRehobhowami inkosi yakoJuda.” 28 Inkosi yathi isibonisane labeluleki bayo yabumba amathole amabili egolide,+ yasisithi ebantwini: “Ukuya eJerusalema kulithwalisa nzima. Nangu uNkulunkulu wenu owalikhipha elizweni laseGibhithe bantu bako-Israyeli!”+ 29 Elinye ithole legolide walifaka eBhetheli,+ elinye walifaka koDani.+ 30 Lokhu kwenza ukuthi abantu bone.+ Babehamba baze bayefika koDani besiyakhonza ithole elalikhonale.

31 Wakha lezindlu zokukhonzela ezindaweni eziphakemeyo,* wabeka abaphristi ayebakhethe ebantwini abangayisiwo maLevi.+ 32 Mhlaka 15 ngenyanga yesi-8 uJerobhowami wasungula umkhosi owawunjengalowo owawusenziwa koJuda.+ Wenza imihlatshelo phezu kwe-alithare elaliseBhetheli,+ enikela ematholeni ayewenzile. Wabeka abaphristi ukuthi bakhonze ezindaweni eziphakemeyo ayezenze eBhetheli. 33 Mhlaka 15 ngenyanga yesi-8, inyanga ayezikhethele yona, waqalisa ukunikela iminikelo phezu kwe-alithare ayelenze eBhetheli. Wasungula lomkhosi owawuzakwenziwa ngabantu bako-Israyeli futhi waya e-alithareni watshisa imihlatshelo.

13 UJerobhowami wathi emi eceleni kwe-alithare+ elaliseBhetheli etshisa umhlatshelo, kwafika umuntu kaNkulunkulu+ evela koJuda ethunywe nguJehova. 2 Umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso wakhuluma ilizwi likaJehova elimayelana le-alithare, wamemeza wathi: “Alithare, wena alithare! Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: ‘Endlini kaDavida kuzazalwa umntwana ongumfana okuzathiwa nguJosiya!+ Uzanikela phezu kwakho abaphristi bezindawo eziphakemeyo,* labo abatshisa imihlatshelo phezu kwakho futhi uzatshisa amathambo abantu phezu kwakho.’”+ 3 Ngalelolanga wabanika isibonakaliso wathi: “Nansi isibonakaliso esikhulunywe nguJehova: I-alithare lizadabuka phakathi, umlotha* ophezu kwalo uchitheke.”

4 INkosi uJerobhowami yathi isizwa lokho umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso ayekukhuluma mayelana le-alithare elaliseBhetheli, yelula isandla sayo isisusa e-alithareni yamkhombela yathi: “Mbambeni!”+ Khonokho nje isandla eyayiselule sahle soma, yehluleka ukusibuyisela emuva.+ 5 I-alithare ladabuka phakathi umlotha wachitheka, njengoba nje umuntu kaNkulunkulu wayetshilo ngesikhathi ekhuluma ilizwi likaJehova.

6 Inkosi yathi emuntwini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso: “Ngicela uncenge uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho ukuthi abe lomusa kimi, ungithandazele ukuthi isandla sami sisiliswe.”+ Ngakho umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso wancenga uJehova futhi isandla senkosi sabuyela saba njengakuqala. 7 Inkosi yasisithi emuntwini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso: “Asihambe sonke emzini wami siyekudla besengikunika isipho.” 8 Kodwa umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso waphendula inkosi wathi: “Lanxa unganginika ingxenye yendlu yakho, angisoze ngihambe lawe ngiyekudla isinkwa loba nginathe amanzi endaweni le, 9 ngoba nanku engikutshelwe nguJehova, uthe: ‘Akumelanga udle isinkwa loba unathe amanzi futhi akumelanga uphenduke ngendlela ohambe ngayo.’” 10 Ngakho wasuka wabuyela ngenye indlela, kazange ahambe ngendlela ayebuye ngayo eBhetheli.

11 Kwakulomunye umphrofethi owayesegugile owayehlala eBhetheli. Amadodana akhe afika ngekhaya amtshela konke okwakwenziwe ngumuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso ngalelolanga eBhetheli kanye lamazwi ayewatshele inkosi. Athi esemlandisele, 12 yena wawabuza wathi: “Uhambe ngayiphi indlela?” Amadodana akhe asemtshengisa indlela umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso owayevela koJuda ayehambe ngayo. 13 Umphrofethi owayesegugile wasesithi emadodaneni akhe: “Bophelani isihlalo kubabhemi.” Abophela isihlalo kubabhemi wakhe wasegada.

14 Walandela umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso wamthola ehlezi ngaphansi kwesihlahla esikhulu, wathi kuye: “Nguwe yini umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso ovela koJuda?”+ Yena waphendula wathi: “Ye yimi.” 15 Wathi kuye: “Asihambe sonke emzini wami siyekudla.” 16 Kodwa yena wathi: “Angisoze ngihambe lawe loba ngingene emzini wakho futhi angisoze ngidle isinkwa loba nginathe amanzi endaweni le 17 ngoba uJehova ungitshele wathi, ‘Akumelanga udle isinkwa kumbe unathe amanzi kuleyondawo, futhi akumelanga uphenduke ngendlela ohambe ngayo.’” 18 Umphrofethi owayesegugile wamphendula wathi: “Lami ngingumphrofethi njengawe. Ingilosi ingitshele ilizwi elivela kuJehova yathi, ‘Mphendukise abuye endlini yakho azokudla isinkwa anathe lamanzi.’” (Kodwa wayeqamba amanga.) 19 Ngakho wabuyela laye wayakudla isinkwa wanatha lamanzi emzini wakhe.

20 Bathi besahlezi etafuleni, ilizwi likaJehova lafika kumphrofethi owayemphendukisile, 21 waphakamisa ilizwi wathi emuntwini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: ‘Ngenxa yokuthi awulilalelanga ilizwi likaJehova futhi awuwugcinanga umlayo uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho akunike wona, 22 wabuyela wayakudla isinkwa wanatha lamanzi endaweni obutshelwe ukuthi ungadli kuyo lokuthi unganathi amanzi, isidumbu sakho asisoze singcwatshwe emathuneni abokhokho bakho.’”+

23 Umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso wathi esedlile isinkwa futhi wanatha, umphrofethi owayesekhulile wabophela isihlalo kubabhemi ukuze umuntu kaNkulunkulu* agade ahambe. 24 Ngakho wasuka wahamba kodwa wahlangana lesilwane endleleni sambulala.+ Isidumbu sakhe saqhubeka sithe dandalazi emgwaqweni. Ubabhemi wayemi eceleni kwaso, lesilwane silokhu simi khonapho. 25 Kwadlula amanye amadoda khonapho asebona isidumbu sisemgwaqweni, lesilwane simi eceleni kwaso. Yikho afika akhuluma ngakho edolobheni okwakuhlala kulo umphrofethi owayesegugile.

26 Umphrofethi owayephendukise umuntu kaNkulunkulu emgwaqweni wakuzwa lokho wasesithi: “Ngumuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso ongalilalelanga ilizwi likaJehova.+ Yikho uJehova emnikele esilwaneni ukuthi simdabudabule simbulale, njengoba nje uJehova ubemtshelile.”+ 27 Wasesithi emadodaneni akhe: “Bophelani isihlalo kubabhemi.” Ngakho amadodana akhe asibophela isihlalo kubabhemi, 28 umphrofethi wasuka wahamba. Wathola isidumbu sisemgwaqweni, ubabhemi lesilwane kumi eceleni kwaso. Isilwane sasingasidlanga isidumbu futhi lobabhemi sasingamlimazanga. 29 Umphrofethi waphakamisa isidumbu somuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso wasibeka phezu kukababhemi, wasebuyela laso edolobheni ukuze ayemlilela njalo amngcwabe. 30 Ngakho wamngcwaba ethuneni lakhe njalo baqhubeka bemkhalela besithi: “Maye umfowethu!” 31 Wathi esemngcwabile watshela amadodana akhe wathi: “Nxa ngingafa kumele lingingcwabe lapho okungcwatshwe khona umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. Kumele lifake amathambo ami eceleni kwawakhe.+ 32 Ilizwi likaJehova alikhulume mayelana le-alithare eliseBhetheli kanye lazo zonke izindlu zokukhonzela ezisezindaweni eziphakemeyo+ emadolobheni eSamariya lizagcwaliseka loba sekutheni.”+

33 Lanxa kwenzakala konke lokhu, uJerobhowami kazange atshiye okubi ayekwenza. Waqhubeka ebeka abaphristi ayebakhetha ebantwini nje+ ukuthi basebenze ezindaweni eziphakemeyo. Wayefaka loba ngubani owayefuna ukuba ngumphristi, esithi: “Laye kabe ngumphristi ezindaweni eziphakemeyo.”+ 34 Isono lesi esasisenziwa ngabendlu kaJerobhowami+ senza batshabalaliswa bonke baphela du.+

14 Ngalesosikhathi u-Abhija indodana kaJerobhowami wagula. 2 Ngakho uJerobhowami wathi kumkakhe: “Ngicela uye eShilo, uhambe uzivalile ukuze bangananzeleli ukuthi ungumkami. Yikho lapho okulo-Ahija umphrofethi owangitshela ukuthi ngizakuba yinkosi yabantu laba.+ 3 Uhambe lezinkwa ezilitshumi lamakhekhe loluju. U-Ahija uzakutshela ukuthi kuyini okuzakwenzakala emfaneni.”

4 UmkaJerobhowami wenza lokho uJerobhowami ayemtshele khona. Wasuka waya eShilo+ wafika emzini ka-Ahija. U-Ahija wayengasaboni ngenxa yokuthi wayeseluphele.

5 Kodwa uJehova wayemtshele wathi: “UmkaJerobhowami uzafika kuwe ezobuza ngendodana yakhe ngoba iyagula. Ngizakutshela ukuthi uthini kuye. Uzafika ezifihlile ukuze angakhanyi ukuthi ungubani.”

6 U-Ahija wathi esizwa izisinde zomkaJerobhowami engena wathi kuye: “Ngena nkosikazi kaJerobhowami. Kanti uzifihlelani? Ngithunywe ukuthi ngikutshele amazwi abuhlungu. 7 Hamba uyetshela uJerobhowami uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli: “Ngakukhetha ebantwini bakini ngakwenza waba ngumkhokheli wabantu bami bako-Israyeli.+ 8 Ngadabula umbuso ngawususa endlini kaDavida ngawunika wena.+ Kodwa wena awuzange wenze njengenceku yami uDavida eyagcina yonke imilayo yami futhi yalandela izindlela zami ngenhliziyo yonke, isenza okulungileyo kuphela phambi kwami.+ 9 Wena wenze okubi kakhulu ukwedlula labo ababusa kuqala kulawe, wazenzela omunye unkulunkulu lezithombe zensimbi ukuze ungizondise kakhulu.+ Usungifulathele.+ 10 Ngenxa yalokho ngizaletha umonakalo omkhulu kwabendlu kaJerobhowami. Ngizaqeda bonke abesilisa abasemulini yakhe kugoqela lalabo abangelamandla labazihluphekelayo ko-Israyeli. Ngizabathanyela bonke abendlu kaJerobhowami+ angathi ngumuntu osusa ingcekeza ize iphele yonke! 11 Loba ngubani owendlu kaJerobhowami ofela edolobheni uzadliwa yizinja futhi loba ngubani ofela egangeni uzadliwa zinyoni, ngoba uJehova usekhulumile.”’

12 “Sukuma uye emzini wakho. Uzathi ufika nje edolobheni umntanakho afe. 13 Bonke abako-Israyeli bazamlilela bamngcwabe. Nguye kuphela emulini kaJerobhowami ozangcwatshwa ngoba nguye yedwa uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli athole okuhle kuye phakathi kwabendlu kaJerobhowami. 14 UJehova uzabeka enye inkosi ukuthi ibuse abako-Israyeli. Izabaqeda bonke abendlu kaJerobhowami+ kusukela ngalolosuku, ngitsho lakhathesi ingakwenza. 15 UJehova uzatshaya abako-Israyeli futhi bazakuba njengomhlanga ondenda phezu kwamanzi. Uzabasusa abako-Israyeli elizweni leli elihle alinika okhokho babo,+ abachithachithe ngaphetsheya komfula*+ ngoba benza izithombe zika-Ashera,*+ bathukuthelisa uJehova. 16 Uzabalahla abako-Israyeli ngenxa yezono ezenziwe nguJerobhowami ezibangele lokuthi abako-Israyeli bone.”+

17 Ngakho umkaJerobhowami wasukuma wangena indlela waya eThiriza. Wathi enyathela nje esitubhini sendlu yakhe umfana wahle wafa. 18 Abako-Israyeli bamngcwaba futhi bamlilela njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo esebenzisa inceku yakhe u-Ahija umphrofethi.

19 Yonke imbali kaJerobhowami lezimpi azilwayo+ lendlela ayebusa ngayo, kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali yamakhosi ako-Israyeli. 20 UJerobhowami wabusa okweminyaka engu-22. Ngemva kwalokho wafa+ njalo indodana yakhe uNadabi yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.+

21 URehobhowami indodana kaSolomoni yena wayebusa koJuda. Wayeleminyaka engu-41 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi njalo wabusa okweminyaka engu-17 eJerusalema, idolobho uJehova ayelikhethile+ kuzo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli ukuthi abeke kulo ibizo lakhe.+ Unina kaRehobhowami kwakuthiwa nguNahama futhi wayengum-Amoni.+ 22 Abantu bakoJuda babesenza okubi phambi kukaJehova+ futhi bamthukuthelisa ngezono zabo ukwedlula lokho okwenziwa ngokhokho babo.+ 23 Baqhubeka bezakhela indawo eziphakemeyo* lensika ababezikhonza kanye lezithombe zika-Ashera*+ ababezifaka kuwo wonke amaqaqa aphakemeyo+ langaphansi kwezihlahla zonke eziyizithingithingi.+ 24 Kanti njalo elizweni kwakulamawule esilisa+ ezindaweni ababekhonzela kuzo. Abako-Israyeli babesenza zonke izinto ezenyanyekayo ezazisenziwa yizizwe uJehova ayezixotshe phambi kwabo.

25 Ngomnyaka wesihlanu wokubusa kweNkosi uRehobhowami, uShishakhi+ inkosi yeGibhithe wahlasela iJerusalema.+ 26 Wathatha inotho eyayisendlini kaJehova leyayisendlini yenkosi.*+ Wathatha konke kanye lamahawu egolide uSolomoni ayewenzile.+ 27 Ngakho iNkosi uRehobhowami yenza amahawu ekhopha esikhundleni salawo ayethethwe, yasitshela izinduna zabalindi* ezazilinda egedini lesigodlo ukuthi ziwakhangele. 28 Inkosi yayisithi nxa ifika endlini kaJehova, abalindi bawathwale amahawu lawo. Ngemva kwalokho babewabuyisela endlini yabalindi.

29 Yonke imbali kaRehobhowami lakho konke akwenzayo kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali yamakhosi akoJuda.+ 30 Kwakuhlala kulezimpi phakathi kukaRehobhowami loJerobhowami.+ 31 Unina kaRehobhowami kwakunguNahama futhi wayengum-Amoni.+ URehobhowami wafa wangcwatshwa emangcwabeni abokhokho bakhe edolobheni likaDavida,+ indodana yakhe u-Abhijamu*+ yasisiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

15 Ngomnyaka wesi-18 wokubusa kweNkosi uJerobhowami+ indodana kaNebhathi, u-Abhijamu waba yinkosi yakoJuda.+ 2 Wabusa okweminyaka emithathu eJerusalema. Unina kwakunguMahakha+ umzukulu ka-Abhishalomi. 3 U-Abhijamu wenza zonke izono ezazenziwe nguyise futhi wayengazinikelanga kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe ngenhliziyo yonke, kenzanga njengoDavida ukhokho wakhe. 4 Kodwa ngenxa kaDavida,+ uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe wamnika isibane eJerusalema,+ wabeka indodana yakhe esikhundleni sakhe njalo wagcina iJerusalema. 5 Phela uDavida wenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova futhi kazange ayekele ukulandela yonke imilayo yakhe okwempilo yakhe yonke, ngaphandle kwalokho akwenza ku-Uriya umHithi.+ 6 Kwakuhlala kulempi phakathi kukaRehobhowami loJerobhowami okwempilo yakhe yonke.+

7 Yonke imbali ka-Abhijamu lakho konke akwenzayo kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali yamakhosi akoJuda.+ Laphakathi kuka-Abhijamu loJerobhowami kwaba lempi.+ 8 U-Abhijamu wafa bamngcwaba edolobheni likaDavida. Indodana yakhe u-Asa+ yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.+

9 Ngomnyaka wesi-20 wokubusa kukaJerobhowami inkosi yako-Israyeli, u-Asa waqalisa ukubusa koJuda. 10 Wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-41. Ibizo likagogo wakhe kwakunguMahakha+ umzukulu ka-Abhishalomi. 11 U-Asa wenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova+ njengoDavida ukhokho wakhe. 12 Wonke amawule esilisa+ ayesezindaweni zokukhonzela wawaxotsha elizweni futhi wasusa zonke izithombe ezenyanyekayo* ezazenziwe ngokhokho bakhe.+ 13 Wakhipha logogo wakhe uMahakha+ esikhundleni sokuba yindlovukazi ngoba wayeyenze isithombe esenyanyekayo ukuze sisetshenziswe nxa kukhonzwa isithombe sika-Ashera.* U-Asa wasigamula isithombe leso esasisenyanyeka+ wasesitshisa esigodini seKhidroni.+ 14 Kodwa izindawo eziphakemeyo* azizange zidilizwe.+ Lanxa kunjalo u-Asa wayezinikele kuJehova ngenhliziyo yonke* okwempilo yakhe yonke. 15 Wahambisa endlini kaJehova izinto yena loyise ababezenze zaba ngcwele, isiliva legolide kanye lezitsha ezitshiyeneyo.+

16 Kwakuhlala kulempi phakathi kuka-Asa loBhahasha+ inkosi yako-Israyeli. 17 UBhahasha inkosi yako-Israyeli wabuya wazohlasela abakoJuda. Waqalisa ukwakha* iRama+ ukuze kungabi lomuntu ozaphuma kumbe ozangena elizweni lika-Asa inkosi yakoJuda.+ 18 Ngakho u-Asa wathatha sonke isiliva legolide elalisele ezindlini zokugcinela inotho yendlu kaJehova lasezindlini zokugcinela inotho yendlu yenkosi.* Walinika izinceku zakhe wasezithuma kuBheni-hadadi indodana kaThabhrimoni indodana kaHeziyoni, inkosi yeSiriya+ eyayihlala eDamaseko. U-Asa wathi: 19 “Kulesivumelwano phakathi kwami lawe, laphakathi kukababa loyihlo. Ngikuthumele isipho, isiliva legolide, buya uzokwephula isivumelwano sakho loBhahasha inkosi yako-Israyeli ukuze asuke kimi.” 20 UBheni-hadadi wayilalela iNkosi u-Asa, wasethuma izinduna zamabutho akhe ukuthi ziyehlasela amadolobho ako-Israyeli. Zahlasela i-Ijoni,+ ledolobho lakoDani,+ le-Abheli-bhethi-mahakha leKhinerethi yonke lalo lonke ilizwe lakoNafithali. 21 UBhahasha wathi ekuzwa lokho wahle wayekela ukwakha* iRama, waqhubeka ehlala eThiriza.+ 22 INkosi u-Asa yasibiza bonke abantu bakoJuda, akusalanga ngitsho loyedwa. Bahamba bayathwala amatshe lezigodo uBhahasha ayesakha ngazo iRama. INkosi u-Asa yakha* iGebha+ yakoBhenjamini leMizipha+ isebenzisa amatshe la lezigodo lezo.

23 Yonke imbali ka-Asa lamandla akhe, lakho konke akwenzayo kanye lamadolobho awakhayo, kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali yamakhosi akoJuda. Wathi eseluphele waqalisa ukubulawa zinyawo.+ 24 U-Asa wafa wangcwatshwa emangcwabeni abokhokho bakhe edolobheni likaDavida ukhokho wakhe. Indodana yakhe uJehoshafathi+ yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

25 UNadabi+ indodana kaJerobhowami waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli ngomnyaka wesibili wokubusa kuka-Asa inkosi yakoJuda njalo wabusa abako-Israyeli okweminyaka emibili. 26 Waqhubeka esenza okubi phambi kukaJehova, elandela okwakusenziwa nguyise+ futhi wenza lezono ezenziwa nguyise ezabangela ukuthi abako-Israyeli bone.+ 27 UBhahasha indodana ka-Ahija owesizwana sako-Isakhari wenza icebo lokuhlamukela uNadabi, wamhlasela wambulala eGibhethoni+ yamaFilisti. Ngalesosikhathi uNadabi labo bonke abako-Israyeli babevimbezele iGibhethoni. 28 UBhahasha wabulala uNadabi ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kuka-Asa inkosi yakoJuda, wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe. 29 UBhahasha wathi esiba yinkosi wahle wabulala bonke abendlu kaJerobhowami, kazange atshiye ngitsho loyedwa owemuli kaJerobhowami ephila. Wabaqeda bonke njengoba nje uJehova wayekhulumile esebenzisa inceku yakhe u-Ahija waseShilo.+ 30 Lokhu kwakungenxa yezono ezazenziwe nguJerobhowami lalezo ayebangele abako-Israyeli ukuthi bazenze kanye lokuthi wayemthukuthelise kakhulu uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. 31 Yonke imbali kaNadabi lakho konke akwenzayo kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali yamakhosi ako-Israyeli. 32 Kwakuhlala kulempi phakathi kuka-Asa loBhahasha inkosi yako-Israyeli.+

33 Ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kuka-Asa inkosi yakoJuda, uBhahasha indodana ka-Ahija waba yinkosi eThiriza, wabusa sonke isizwe sako-Israyeli futhi wabusa okweminyaka engu-24.+ 34 Kodwa waqhubeka esenza okubi phambi kukaJehova+ njalo walandela okwakusenziwa nguJerobhowami lezono azenzayo ezabangela ukuthi abako-Israyeli bone.+

16 Ilizwi likaJehova elalimayelana loBhahasha lafika kuJehu+ indodana kaHanani+ lisithi: 2 “Ngakuphakamisa ngakususa ethulini ngakwenza waba ngumkhokheli wabantu bami bako-Israyeli,+ kodwa wena waqhubeka ulandela okwakusenziwa nguJerobhowami wenza abantu bako-Israyeli bona, bangithukuthelisa ngezono zabo.+ 3 Yikho ngizatshabalalisa uBhahasha labemuli yakhe baphele du. Ngizakwenza kwabendlu kaBhahasha lokho engikwenze kwabendlu kaJerobhowami+ indodana kaNebhathi. 4 Loba ngubani owemuli kaBhahasha ozafela edolobheni uzadliwa yizinja futhi loba ngubani ozafela egangeni uzadliwa zinyoni.”

5 Yonke imbali kaBhahasha lalokho akwenzayo kanye lobuqhawe bakhe kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali yamakhosi ako-Israyeli. 6 UBhahasha wafa wangcwatshwa eThiriza,+ u-Ela indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe. 7 Ilizwi likaJehova lalifike kumphrofethi uJehu indodana kaHanani liqondiswe kuBhahasha labendlu yakhe ngenxa yazo zonke izinto ezimbi ayezenza phambi kukaJehova, emthukuthelisa ngalokho ayekwenza njengoba nje kwenza abemuli kaJerobhowami, langenxa yokuthi wabulala uNadabi.+

8 Ngomnyaka wesi-26 wokubusa kuka-Asa inkosi yakoJuda, u-Ela indodana kaBhahasha waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli eThiriza futhi wabusa okweminyaka emibili. 9 Inceku yakhe uZimri eyayiyinduna yengxenye yebutho elaligada izinqola zempi yamhlamukela. Ngesikhathi leso u-Ela wayeseThiriza ezinathela edakwa endlini ka-Ariza owayekhangela indlu yenkosi eyayiseThiriza. 10 UZimri wangena wafika wamhlasela wambulala+ wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe. Kwakungumnyaka wesi-27 wokubusa kuka-Asa inkosi yakoJuda. 11 Wathi esehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi futhi eseyinkosi wahle wabulala bonke abendlu kaBhahasha. Wabulala bonke abesilisa, kugoqela lalabo ababeyizihlobo zakhe labangane bakhe. 12 UZimri watshabalalisa bonke abendlu kaBhahasha njengoba nje uJehova wayekhulumile esebenzisa umphrofethi uJehu.+ 13 Lokhu wakwenza ngenxa yezono ezazenziwe nguBhahasha lendodana yakhe u-Ela kanye lezono zabo ezabangela ukuthi abako-Israyeli bone, bemthukuthelisa uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ngezithombe zabo ezingelancedo.+ 14 Yonke imbali ka-Ela lakho konke akwenzayo kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali yamakhosi ako-Israyeli.

15 Ngomnyaka wesi-27 wokubusa kuka-Asa inkosi yakoJuda, uZimri waba yinkosi okwamalanga ayisikhombisa eThiriza, ngesikhathi amabutho esenkambeni efuna ukuhlasela iGibhethoni+ eyayingeyamaFilisti. 16 Amabutho ayesenkambeni ezwa ukuthi uZimri wayesehlamukile lokuthi wayesebulele inkosi. Ngakho wonke amabutho ako-Israyeli abeka u-Omri+ induna yebutho waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli ngalelolanga besenkambeni. 17 U-Omri lawo wonke amabutho ako-Israyeli basuka eGibhethoni bayavimbezela iThiriza. 18 UZimri wathi ebona ukuthi idolobho selivinjezelwe, waya enqabeni yendlu yenkosi* wafika wazitshisela endlini wafa.+ 19 Wafa ngenxa yezono zakhe ayezenzile ngoba wayesenza okubi phambi kukaJehova, elandela okwakusenziwa nguJerobhowami njalo esenza lezono ezabangela ukuthi abako-Israyeli bone.+ 20 Yonke imbali kaZimri kanye lokuhlamuka kwakhe kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali yamakhosi ako-Israyeli.

21 Kungalesosikhathi lapho abantu bako-Israyeli abehlukana khona baba ngamaqembu amabili. Elinye iqembu lalandela uThibhini indodana kaGinathi lifuna ukumbeka ukuthi abe yinkosi, elinye lalandela u-Omri. 22 Kodwa abantu ababelandela u-Omri babanqoba labo ababelandela uThibhini indodana kaGinathi. UThibhini wafa, u-Omri wasesiba yinkosi.

23 Ngomnyaka wesi-31 wokubusa kuka-Asa inkosi yakoJuda, u-Omri waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli futhi wabusa okweminyaka engu-12. EThiriza wabusa okweminyaka eyisithupha. 24 Wathenga intaba yeSamariya kuShemeri ngamathalenta* esiliva amabili wasesakha idolobho phezu kwayo. Idolobho alakhayo walibiza ngokuthi yiSamariya,*+ ethathela ebizweni likaShemeri umnikazi wentaba. 25 U-Omri waqhubeka esenza okubi phambi kukaJehova futhi wenza okubi ukwedlula wonke amakhosi ayebuse ngaphambi kwakhe.+ 26 Walandela konke okwakusenziwa nguJerobhowami indodana kaNebhathi njalo wenza lesono esabangela ukuthi abako-Israyeli bone, bathukuthelise uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ngezithombe zabo ezingelancedo.+ 27 Yonke imbali ka-Omri lalokho akwenzayo kanye lobuqhawe bakhe kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali yamakhosi ako-Israyeli. 28 U-Omri wafa wangcwatshwa eSamariya. Indodana yakhe u-Ahabi+ yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

29 U-Ahabi indodana ka-Omri waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli ngomnyaka wesi-38 wokubusa kuka-Asa inkosi yakoJuda. U-Ahabi indodana ka-Omri wabusa abako-Israyeli eSamariya+ okweminyaka engu-22. 30 U-Ahabi indodana ka-Omri wenza okubi phambi kukaJehova ukwedlula wonke amakhosi ayebuse ngaphambi kwakhe.+ 31 Kwakungathi akwenelanga kuye ukwenza izono ezazenziwe nguJerobhowami+ indodana kaNebhathi, ngakho wathatha uJezebheli+ indodakazi ka-Ethibhali inkosi yamaSidoni,+ waqalisa ukukhonza uBhali+ lokumkhothamela. 32 Wakhela uBhali+ i-alithare endlini ayemakhele yona* eSamariya. 33 U-Ahabi wenza lesithombe sika-Ashera.*+ Wenza okunengi okwathukuthelisa uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ukwedlula wonke amakhosi ako-Israyeli ayebuse ngaphambi kwakhe.

34 Ngensuku zakhe, uHiyeli waseBhetheli wakha kutsha iJerikho. Wathi ebeka isisekelo sayo wafelwa lizibulo lakhe u-Abhiramu njalo wathi esefaka amagedi ayo wafelwa yisicino sakhe uSegubi, njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo esebenzisa uJoshuwa indodana kaNuni.+

17 U-Elija*+ umThishibi owayehlala eGiliyadi+ wathi ku-Ahabi: “Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli engimkhonzayo,* akusoze kune izulu loba kube lamazolo okweminyaka yonke le, mina ngize ngitsho!”+

2 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuye lathi: 3 “Suka lapha uqonde empumalanga uyecatsha esigodini seKherithi, empumalanga komfula uJodani. 4 Uzabe unatha esifuleni esilapho futhi ngizabe ngithuma amawabayi azokunika ukudla.”+ 5 Ngakho u-Elija wahle wasuka wahamba, wenza lokho uJehova ayemtshele khona. Waya esigodini seKherithi wahlala khona, ngasempumalanga komfula uJodani. 6 Amawabayi ayemphathela isinkwa lenyama ekuseni, aphinde amphathele futhi isinkwa lenyama ntambama. Amanzi wayenatha esifuleni.+ 7 Kodwa ngemva kwesikhathi isifula satsha+ ngenxa yokuthi izulu lalingasani elizweni.

8 Ilizwi likaJehova laselifika ku-Elija lathi: 9 “Suka uye eZarefathi yeSidoni ufike uhlale khona. Ngizatshela omunye umfelokazi ohlala kuleyondawo ukuthi abe ekunika ukudla.”+ 10 Ngakho wasuka waya eZarefathi. Wathi efika egedini ledolobho wabona owesifazana ongumfelokazi etheza inkuni wasembiza, wathi kuye: “Ngicela ungiphathele amanzi amalutshwana ngenkomitsho nginathe.”+ 11 Umfelokazi uthe esesiyawathatha, u-Elija wathi kuye: “Ngicela ungiphathele locezu lwesinkwa.” 12 Umfelokazi wasemphendula wathi: “Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu wakho, uNkulunkulu ophilayo, angilasinkwa kodwa ngilefulawa encane esembizeni enkulu lamafutha amancane embizeni encane.+ Khathesi ngisadobhadobha okuzinkuni, ngingaqeda ngizakuya endlini ngifike ngilungise ukudla, ngidle lendodana yami. Kuzakuba yikudla kwethu kokucina besesisifa.”

13 U-Elija wasesithi kuye: “Ungesabi. Hamba endlini uyekwenza okutshoyo, kodwa uqale ungiphekele isinkwa esincane ngefulawa ekhona ubususiletha kimi. Ngemva kwalokho usungazilungisela okwakho ukudla lendodana yakho. 14 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli: ‘Ifulawa esembizeni enkulu ayisoze iphele, lamafutha asembizeni encane awasoze aphele, lize lifike ilanga uJehova azakwenza ukuthi izulu line elizweni.’”+ 15 Ngakho umfelokazi wahamba wayakwenza lokho u-Elija ayekutshilo. Yena lemuli yakhe kanye lo-Elija abazange baswele ukudla okwensuku ezinengi ezalandelayo.+ 16 Ifulawa eyayisembizeni enkulu ayizange iphele, lamafutha ayesembizeni encane awazange aphele, njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo esebenzisa u-Elija.

17 Ngemva kwakho konke lokhu, indodana yomfelokazi lo owayengumnikazi womuzi yagula. Umkhuhlane waba mubi kakhulu yaze yacina isifa.+ 18 Yikho wathi ku-Elija: “Ngoneni kuwe muntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso? Kanti uze lapha ukuzongikhumbuza izono zami lokuzobulala indodana yami?”+ 19 Kodwa u-Elija wathi kuye: “Letha lapha indodana yakho.” Waseyithatha ezandleni zikanina wayithwala waqansa layo waya endlini ephezulu ayehlala kuyo, wafika wayilalisa embhedeni wakhe.+ 20 Wathandaza kuJehova wathi: “Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu wami,+ kambe usungaze umehlisele usizi olungaka umfelokazi lo engihlala emzini wakhe, ubulale indodana yakhe?” 21 U-Elija wakhothama phezu komntwana kathathu, wasethandaza kuJehova wathi: “Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu wami, ngicela umntwana lo avuke aphinde aphile.” 22 UJehova wasilalela isicelo sika-Elija,+ umntwana wavuka waphila.+ 23 U-Elija wathatha umntwana wehla laye endlini ephezulu waya laye endlini ephansi, wafika wamnika unina wathi: “Khangela indodana yakho iyaphila.”+ 24 Owesifazana wasesithi ku-Elija: “Khathesi sengikwazi sibili ukuthi ungumuntu kaNkulunkulu+ lokuthi ilizwi likaJehova olikhulumileyo liliqiniso.”

18 Kwathi sekwedlule isikhathi, sekungumnyaka wesithathu,+ ilizwi likaJehova lafika ku-Elija lathi: “Hamba uyeziveza ku-Ahabi, mina ngizakwenza izulu line elizweni.”+ 2 Ngakho u-Elija wahamba wayaziveza ku-Ahabi. Ngalesosikhathi kwakulendlala enzima+ eSamariya.

3 U-Ahabi wabiza u-Obhadiya owayekhangela indlu yenkosi. (U-Obhadiya wayemesaba kakhulu uJehova. 4 Ngesikhathi uJezebheli+ ebulala abaphrofethi bakaJehova, u-Obhadiya wathatha abaphrofethi abangu-100 wayabafihla. Wafihla abangu-50 ebhalwini olulodwa, kwathi abanye abangu-50 wabafaka kolunye ubhalu futhi wayebanika ukudla* lamanzi.) 5 U-Ahabi wathi ku-Obhadiya: “Bhoda ilizwe uye kuzo zonke izindawo ezilemithombo lakuzo zonke izigodi. Mhlawumbe singathola utshani bokupha amabhiza lezimbongolo* zethu ukuze singafelwa yizifuyo zonke.” 6 Yikho behlukaniselana izindawo ababezakuya kuzo. U-Ahabi wahamba yedwa ngenye indlela, u-Obhadiya laye wahamba yedwa ngenye indlela.

7 U-Obhadiya wathi esendleleni kwathutsha u-Elija emhlangabeza. U-Obhadiya wathi embona waguqa wakhangela phansi wathi: “Nguwe yini nkosi yami Elija?”+ 8 U-Elija wamphendula wathi: “Ye yimi. Hamba uyetshela inkosi yakho ukuthi ngikhona.” 9 U-Obhadiya wasesithi: “Kanti inceku yakho ikoneleni ukuthi usungaze uyinikele ku-Ahabi ukuthi ayibulale? 10 Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu wakho, uNkulunkulu ophilayo, akulasizwe loba umbuso inkosi yami engazange ikudinge kuwo. Bekusithi abantu balesosizwe loba balowombuso bangathi awukho, yona ithi abafunge ukuthi bakudinge bakuswela.+ 11 Kodwa khathesi wena uthi ngihambe ngiyetshela inkosi yami ukuthi ukhona. 12 Ngizathi ngisuka lapha umoya kaJehova ukuthwale+ ukuse endaweni engingayaziyo. Nxa u-Ahabi ngingamtshela abesekudinga akuswele, uzangibulala loba sekutheni. Kodwa inceku yakho yona ibimesaba uJehova kusukela isesemutsha. 13 Kanti awukuzwanga yini nkosi yami engakwenzayo ngesikhathi uJezebheli ebulala abaphrofethi bakaJehova? Awukuzwanga yini ukuthi ngafihla abaphrofethi bakaJehova abangu-100? Ngafaka abangu-50 ebhalwini olulodwa, kwathi abanye abangu-50 ngabafaka kolunye ubhalu futhi ngaqhubeka ngibanika ukudla* lamanzi.+ 14 Kodwa khathesi uthi ngihambe ngiyetshela inkosi yami ukuthi wena ukhona. Izangibulala sibili.” 15 U-Elija wamphendula wathi: “Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo, uNkulunkulu wamabutho engimkhonzayo,* lamuhla ngizaziveza ku-Ahabi.”

16 Ngakho u-Obhadiya wahamba wayahlangana lo-Ahabi wasemtshela, u-Ahabi wasesuka wayabonana lo-Elija.

17 U-Ahabi wathi ebona u-Elija wathi kuye: “Kanti nguwe wena? Udale uhlupho olukhulu ko-Israyeli!”

18 U-Elija wamphendula wathi: “Ayisimi engidalele abako-Israyeli uhlupho kodwa nguwe lendlu kayihlo ngoba litshiye imilayo kaJehova lalandela oBhali.+ 19 Khathesi tshela bonke abantu bako-Israyeli ukuthi babuye entabeni iKhameli,+ ubize labaphrofethi bakaBhali abangu-450 kanye labaphrofethi abangu-400 abakhonza isigodo sika-Ashera,*+ abaphiwa ukudla nguJezebheli.” 20 Ngakho u-Ahabi wathumela ilizwi kubo bonke abantu bako-Israyeli waqoqa abaphrofethi wababuthanisa entabeni iKhameli.

21 U-Elija wasesiya ebantwini wathi kubo: “Kuzaze kube nini lilokhu linhliziyombili?+ Nxa uJehova enguye uNkulunkulu weqiniso, mlandeleni;+ nxa kunguBhali, landelani yena!” Kodwa abantu abazange bamphendule. 22 U-Elija wasesithi ebantwini: “Yimi ngedwa umphrofethi kaJehova oseleyo,+ kodwa abaphrofethi bakaBhali bangu-450. 23 Abantu kabalethe amajongosi amabili, abaphrofethi bakaBhali besebekhetha elilodwa baliqumaqume libe yiziqa balifake phezu kwenkuni. Kodwa akumelanga balumathise umlilo. Lami ngizaqumaquma elinye ijongosi ngilifake phezu kwenkuni, kodwa angisoze ngilumathise umlilo. 24 Ngemva kwalokho lizabiza ibizo likankulunkulu wenu,+ lami ngibize ibizo likaJehova. UNkulunkulu ozaphendula ngokuthumela umlilo nguye uNkulunkulu weqiniso.”+ Abantu bathi besizwa lokho bathi: “Okutshoyo kuqondile.”

25 U-Elija wasesithi kubaphrofethi bakaBhali: “Khethani ijongosi elilodwa lililungise, yini elizaqala ngoba libanengi. Nxa selililungisile, libize ibizo likankulunkulu wenu kodwa lingalumathisi umlilo.” 26 Yikho bathatha ijongosi ababeliphiwe balilungisa, baqhubeka bebiza ibizo likaBhali kusukela ekuseni kwaze kwaba semini besithi: “Awu Bhali, siphendule!” Kodwa akulalizwi elazwakalayo njalo akulamuntu owabaphendulayo.+ Babelokhu beseqa bebhoda i-alithare ababelenzile. 27 Ngezikhathi zemini enkulu u-Elija waqalisa ukubachothoza esithi: “Memezani kakhulu! Angithi ungunkulunkulu!+ Mhlawumbe ujule emcabangweni kumbe uye ngaphandle.* Mhlawumbe ulele, sekumele omunye ayemvusa!” 28 Babememeza beklabalala, bezisika ngezingqamu njalo bezigwaza ngemikhonto, njengoba kwakungumkhuba wabo. Bacina sebevuza igazi yonke indawo. 29 Imini enkulu yadlula, baqhubeka bexokozela angathi baphambene* kwaze kwaba yisikhathi sokunikela umnikelo wamabele wakusihlwa, kodwa akulalizwi elazwakalayo njalo akulankulunkulu owabaphendulayo. Kakho owayebezwa.+

30 Ngemva kwesikhathi u-Elija wathi ebantwini bonke: “Sondelani kimi.” Ngakho abantu basondela kuye, waselungisa i-alithare likaJehova elaselidilikile.+ 31 U-Elija wathatha amatshe angu-12 ayelingana lenani lezizwana zamadodana kaJakhobe, lowo uJehova ayekhulume laye wathi: “Ibizo lakho lizakuba ngu-Israyeli.”+ 32 Amatshe la wawasebenzisa ukwakha i-alithare+ lokudumisa ibizo likaJehova. Wagebha umgelo owawugombolozela i-alithare kanye lendawo eyayibanzi okokuthi kwakungahlanyelwa kuyo inhlanyelo egcwala izilinganiso ezimbili zamaseya.* 33 Ngemva kwalokho wabeka kuhle inkuni, waqumaquma ijongosi laba yiziqa walibeka phezu kwenkuni.+ Wasesithi: “Gcwalisani imbiza ezinkulu ezine ngamanzi, libe seliwathela phezu komhlatshelo wokutshiswa laphezu kwenkuni.” 34 Ngemva kwalokho wathi: “Phindani.” Ngakho benza njalo. Wasesithi kubo: “Phindani okwesithathu.” Yikho bakwenza okwesithathu, 35 amanzi agcwala aze ageleza kuwo wonke amacele e-alithare. Wagcwalisa lomgelo ngamanzi.

36 Kwathi sekuyisikhathi okwakunikelwa ngaso umnikelo wamabele wakusihlwa,+ u-Elija umphrofethi wasondela phambili wasesithi: “Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Abrahama+ lo-Isaka+ lo-Israyeli, lamuhla kwenze kwaziwe ukuthi wena nguwe uNkulunkulu ko-Israyeli lokuthi mina ngiyinceku yakho njalo konke engikwenzileyo ngikwenze ngilandela ilizwi lakho.+ 37 Awu Jehova, ngicela ungiphendule ukuze abantu laba bazi ukuthi wena Jehova nguwe uNkulunkulu weqiniso lokuthi usuguqulela izinhliziyo zabo kuwe.”+

38 Ngalesosikhathi kwehla umlilo kaJehova uvela ezulwini watshisa umhlatshelo wokutshiswa,+ lenkuni, lamatshe, lenhlabathi, waqeda lamanzi ayesemgelweni.+ 39 Abantu bonke bathi bekubona lokho bazilahla phansi bathi mbo ngobuso basebesithi: “UJehova nguNkulunkulu weqiniso! UJehova nguNkulunkulu weqiniso!” 40 U-Elija wasesithi ebantwini: “Bambani abaphrofethi bakaBhali! Lingavumeli ngitsho loyedwa wabo aphunyuke!” Bahle bababamba, u-Elija wasehamba labo emfuleni uKhishoni+ wababulalela khona.+

41 Ngemva kwalokho u-Elija wathi ku-Ahabi: “Hamba uyekudla unathe ngoba kuzwakala umsindo wezulu elikhulu.”+ 42 U-Ahabi wahamba wayakudla wanatha, u-Elija yena waqansa intaba iKhameli waya phezulu, wafika waguqa wafaka ikhanda emadolweni.+ 43 Wathi encekwini yakhe: “Ngicela uqanse ukhangele ngaselwandle.” Ngakho inceku yakhe yahamba yayakhangela yathi: “Akulalutho.” Kwaze kwaba kasikhombisa u-Elija elokhu esithi kuyo, “Buyela.” 44 Inceku yakhe yathi isiphenduka okwesikhombisa yathi: “Kulokuliyezi okuncane okungangesandla somuntu okuphakamayo kusuka elwandle.” U-Elija wasesithi: “Hamba uyetshela u-Ahabi uthi, ‘Bopha inqola uhambe ukuze izulu lingakuvimbezeli!’” 45 Ngesikhatshana nje isibhakabhaka saba mnyama tshu ngamayezi, kwavunguza umoya kwasekusina izulu elikhulu.+ U-Ahabi waqhubeka egade inqola esiya eJeziriyeli.+ 46 UJehova wanika u-Elija amandla,* wabophela isembatho sakhe ekhalweni, wagijima phambi kuka-Ahabi waze wayafika eJeziriyeli.

19 U-Ahabi+ watshela uJezebheli+ konke okwakwenziwe ngu-Elija lokuthi wayebulele bonke abaphrofethi ngenkemba.+ 2 UJezebheli wathi esizwa lokhu wathumela isithunywa ku-Elija wathi siyemtshela sithi: “Onkulunkulu kabangijezise kabuhlungu nxa kusasa ngalesi isikhathi ngingakwenzanga wafana labaphrofethi labo obabuleleyo!” 3 U-Elija uthe ekuzwa lokho wesaba wabaleka ukuze asindise impilo yakhe.+ Wafika eBheri-shebha+ yakoJuda+ wasetshiya inceku yakhe khona. 4 Wahamba umango welanga elilodwa engena enkangala, wasehlala ngaphansi kwesihlahla wacela ukuthi afe. Wathi: “Awu Jehova, sekwanele! Susa impilo yami+ ngoba angingcono kulabokhokho bami.”

5 Walala ngaphansi kwesihlahla leso wajunywa yibuthongo. Khonokho nje kwafika ingilosi yamthinta+ yathi kuye: “Vuka udle.”+ 6 U-Elija wathi ekhangela wabona eduze kwekhanda lakhe kulenkomitsho elamanzi kanye lesinkwa esasiphezu kwamatshe atshisayo. Wadla wanatha waselala futhi. 7 Ngemva kwesikhathi ingilosi kaJehova yaphenduka okwesibili yafika yamthinta yathi: “Vuka udle ngoba umango ozawuhamba mude kakhulu.” 8 Ngakho u-Elija wavuka wadla wanatha wasesiba lamandla. Wasuka lapho wahamba insuku ezingu-40 lobusuku obungu-40 waze wayafika entabeni kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, iHorebhi.+

9 Wangena ebhalwini+ walala khona ebusuku. UJehova wakhuluma laye wathi: “Udingani lapha Elija?” 10 Yena waphendula wathi: “Bengimtshisekela kakhulu uJehova uNkulunkulu wamabutho+ ngoba abantu bako-Israyeli basitshiyile isivumelwano sakho,+ badiliza ama-alithare akho futhi babulala labaphrofethi bakho ngenkemba,+ kusele mina ngedwa. Khathesi bayangizingela bafuna ukungibulala.”+ 11 Kodwa uNkulunkulu wathi: “Phuma uyekuma entabeni phambi kukaJehova.” UJehova wadlula lapho,+ kwaba lomoya omkhulu olamandla kwaqhekezeka izintaba lamadwala phambi kukaJehova,+ kodwa uJehova wayengekho phakathi komoya. Umoya usudlulile kwalandela ukuzamazama komhlaba,+ kodwa uJehova wayengekho phakathi kokuzamazama komhlaba. 12 Ngemva kokuzamazama komhlaba kwaba lomlilo,+ kodwa uJehova wayengekho phakathi komlilo. Umlilo wathi usudlulile kwezwakala ilizwi elipholileyo likhulumela phansi.+ 13 U-Elija wathi esizwa ilizwi lelo wahle wazivala ubuso ngesembatho somphrofethi,+ wasuka wayakuma entubeni yobhalu. Ilizwi lathi kuye: “Udingani lapha Elija?” 14 Yena waphendula wathi: “Bengimtshisekela kakhulu uJehova uNkulunkulu wamabutho ngoba abantu bako-Israyeli basitshiyile isivumelwano sakho,+ badiliza ama-alithare akho futhi babulala labaphrofethi bakho ngenkemba, kusele mina ngedwa. Khathesi bayangizingela bafuna ukungibulala.”+

15 UJehova wathi kuye: “Phenduka uye enkangala yeDamaseko. Nxa ungafika lapho ugcobe uHazayeli+ ukuthi abe yinkosi yeSiriya. 16 Kumele ugcobe uJehu+ umzukulu kaNimishi ukuthi abe yinkosi yako-Israyeli njalo ugcobe lo-Elisha* indodana kaShafathi wase-Abheli-mehola ukuthi abe ngumphrofethi esikhundleni sakho.+ 17 Loba ngubani ozabalekela inkemba kaHazayeli+ uzabulawa nguJehu.+ Ozabalekela inkemba kaJehu uzabulawa ngu-Elisha.+ 18 Ngilabangu-7 000 ko-Israyeli+ abangazange baguqele uBhali+ futhi abangazange bamqabuze ngemilomo yabo.”+

19 Ngakho u-Elija wasuka lapho wahamba. Wathola u-Elisha indodana kaShafathi elima, kulezipani ezingu-12 zenkunzi phambi kwakhe futhi yena wayelima ngesipani sesi-12. U-Elija waya kuye wafika wamphosela isembatho sakhe somphrofethi.+ 20 U-Elisha wahle watshiya inkunzi ayelima ngazo wagijima walandela u-Elija wathi kuye: “Ngicela ungivumele ngiyeqabuza umama lobaba ngibavalelise, besengikulandela.” U-Elija wamphendula wathi: “Hamba, mina ngeke ngikwalise.” 21 Ngakho wabuyela wafika wathatha inkunzi ezimbili wenza umhlatshelo. Wabasa umlilo ngezinto ayelima ngazo, wapheka inyama wayinika abantu badla. Ngemva kwalokho wasuka walandela u-Elija waba yinceku yakhe.+

20 Inkosi yeSiriya+ uBheni-hadadi+ yaqoqa lonke ibutho layo yayahlangana lamanye amakhosi angu-32 kanye lamabutho awo lamabhiza lezinqola zawo zempi. UBheni-hadadi wasuka wayavimbezela+ iSamariya+ efuna ukuyihlasela. 2 Wathuma izithunywa ku-Ahabi+ inkosi yako-Israyeli wathi zifike zithi kuye: “Nanku okutshiwo nguBheni-hadadi, 3 ‘Isiliva sakho legolide lakho ngokwami, futhi ngizathatha abafazi bakho abahle lamadodana akho amahle.’” 4 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yaphendula yathi: “Okutshoyo kuliqiniso nkosi yami, mina ngingowakho futhi lempahla yami yonke ngeyakho.”+

5 Izithunywa lezo zaphenduka futhi ku-Ahabi zathi: “Nanku okutshiwo nguBheni-hadadi, ‘Ngikuthumele ilizwi ngisithi kuwe: “Isiliva sakho legolide lakho ngokwami futhi uzanginika abafazi bakho lamadodana akho.” 6 Kusasa ngesikhathi lesi ngizathumela izinceku zami kuwe zizohlolisisa indlu yakho lezindlu zezinceku zakho, zithathe yonke impahla yakho eligugu.’”

7 Inkosi yako-Israyeli ithe isizwa lokho yabiza bonke abadala besizwe yathi kubo: “Ngicela lilalele lizwe ukuthi umuntu lo uzimisele njani ukusidalela uhlupho. Uthe ufuna ngimnike abafazi bami, lamadodana ami, lesiliva sami legolide lami futhi angizange ngale.” 8 Abadala kanye labantu bonke bathi kuye: “Ungamlaleli futhi ungakuvumi lokho akutshoyo.” 9 Ngakho watshela izithunywa zikaBheni-hadadi wathi: “Lifike lithi enkosini yami, ‘Konke okukhulume kuqala, othe inceku yakho ikwenze izakwenza, kodwa lokhu okunye angisoze ngikwenze.’” Yikho izithunywa zasuka zayatshela uBheni-hadadi lokho ezazikutsheliwe.

10 UBheni-hadadi wasethumela ilizwi ku-Ahabi wathi: “Onkulunkulu abangijezise kabuhlungu nxa ngingayitshabalalisanga iSamariya. Ngizayilobisa kuze kungasali ngitsho lenhlabathi engagcwala izandla zabantu abangilandelayo!” 11 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yaphendula yathi: “Mtsheleni lithi, ‘Lowo ogqoka izembatho zakhe zempi akumelanga azigqaje njengalowo ozikhiphayo esevela empini.’”+ 12 UBheni-hadadi wathi esizwa lokho ngesikhathi ezinathela lamanye amakhosi ematendeni abo, wahle wathi ezincekwini zakhe: “Lungelani ukuhlasela!” Ngakho balungela ukuhlasela idolobho.

13 Kusenjalo omunye umphrofethi waya ku-Ahabi+ inkosi yako-Israyeli wathi kuye: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘Uyalibona yini ibutho leli elikhulu? Ngizalinikela esandleni sakho lamuhla. Lapho-ke uzakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova.’”+ 14 U-Ahabi wabuza wathi: “Uzasebenzisa bani?” Umphrofethi wasesithi: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘Ngizasebenzisa izinceku zabaphathi bezabelo.’” U-Ahabi wasebuza wathi: “Manje ngubani ozahlasela kuqala?” Yena wamphendula wathi: “Nguwe!”

15 Ngakho u-Ahabi wabala izinceku zabaphathi bezabelo wathola ukuthi zingu-232. Ngemva kwalokho wabala wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli, ayengu-7 000. 16 Basuka emini enkulu ngesikhathi uBheni-hadadi ezinathela edakwa ematendeni elamakhosi angu-32 ayemncedisa empini. 17 Izinceku zabaphathi bezabelo zaphuma kuqala, uBheni-hadadi wahle wathuma izithunywa. Izithunywa zamtshela zathi: “Kulamadoda afikileyo avela eSamariya.” 18 UBheni-hadadi wasesithi: “Nxa beze ngokuthula bathumbeni lingababulali. Nxa bezokulwa, lakho kumele libathumbe lingababulali.” 19 Kodwa izinceku zabaphathi bezabelo kanye lamabutho azo bathi bephuma edolobheni, 20 baqalisa ukubulala amabutho eSiriya. Amabutho eSiriya abaleka,+ abako-Israyeli bawaxotshanisa. Inkosi yeSiriya uBheni-hadadi yabaleka ngebhiza ilamanye amabutho ayegade amabhiza. 21 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yaphuma yaqhubeka ibulala amabutho ayegade amabhiza kanye lamabutho ayegade izinqola zempi. Yawatshaya yawabhuqa amaSiriya.

22 Ngemva kwesikhathi umphrofethi+ walanda inkosi yako-Israyeli wathi kuyo: “Hamba uyeqinisa ibutho lakho ubone ongakwenza+ ngoba umnyaka ozayo uzathi uqala nje inkosi yeSiriya izakuhlasela.”+

23 Izinceku zenkosi yeSiriya zathi kuyo: “UNkulunkulu wabo nguNkulunkulu wezintaba, yikho besinqobile, kodwa nxa singalwa labo endaweni eligceke sizabanqoba. 24 Okunye ongakwenza yikubeka ababusi* kube yibo abakhokhela amabutho kulokuthi akhokhelwe ngamakhosi.+ 25 Kanti njalo qoqa amanye amabutho, inani lawo lilingane lenani lamabutho afele empini. Udinge inani lamabhiza lelezinqola elilingana lalelo owawulalo. Sizakulwa labo endaweni eligceke futhi sizabanqoba loba sekutheni.” Inkosi yazilalela izinceku zayo yenza lokho ezaziyicebise khona.

26 Ekuqaliseni komnyaka uBheni-hadadi waqoqa amaSiriya waya e-Afekhi+ esiyakulwa labako-Israyeli. 27 Abantu bako-Israyeli labo babuthana. Banikwa imiphako basebesuka bayadibana lamaSiriya. Bafika bamisa inkamba yabo yaqondana leyamaSiriya. Abako-Israyeli babengathi yimihlambi yembuzi emibili emincane, amaSiriya wona emanengi egcwele indawo yonke.+ 28 Kusenjalo umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso walanda inkosi yako-Israyeli wathi kuyo: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: ‘AmaSiriya athe, “UJehova nguNkulunkulu wezintaba hatshi owamagceke,” yikho ngizanikela lonke ibutho leli elikhulu ezandleni zenu+ futhi lina lizakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova.’”+

29 Amabutho aqhubeka esezinkambeni zawo ezazikhangelene okwamalanga ayisikhombisa. Ngelanga lesikhombisa impi yaqala. Abako-Israyeli babulala amabutho eSiriya angu-100 000 ngelanga elilodwa. 30 Amanye amabutho abaleka ayangena edolobheni le-Afekhi,+ kodwa angu-27 000 awelwa ngumduli afa. UBheni-hadadi laye wabaleka waya edolobheni wafika wangena kwenye indlu wacatsha phakathi.

31 Izinceku zakhe zathi kuye: “Sizwe kuthiwa amakhosi ako-Israyeli alesihawu.* Yikho sicela usivumele ukuthi sizithandele ngezembatho zamasaka futhi sifake lezintambo emakhanda siphume siye enkosini yako-Israyeli, mhlawumbe izakuyekela ingakubulali.”+ 32 Ngakho bazithandela ngezembatho zamasaka bafaka lezintambo emakhanda, basebesiya enkosini yako-Israyeli bafika bathi: “Inceku yakho uBheni-hadadi ithi, ‘Ngicela ungangibulali.’” U-Ahabi wasephendula wathi: “Kanti usaphila? Ungumfowethu.” 33 Amazwi la aba yisiqinisekiso emadodeni la futhi amkholwa u-Ahabi asesithi: “UBheni-hadadi ngumfowenu.” U-Ahabi wasesithi: “Hambani liyemthatha.” Ngemva kwalokho uBheni-hadadi waphuma waya kuye, u-Ahabi wasemgadisa enqoleni.

34 UBheni-hadadi wathi kuye: “Ngizabuyisela kuwe amadolobho ubaba awathathela uyihlo futhi ungazenzela amamakethe* eDamaseko njengoba ubaba laye wenza njalo eSamariya.”

U-Ahabi waphendula wathi: “Ngizakuyekela uhambe ngenxa yokuthi wenze isivumelwano lesi lami.”

Ngakho u-Ahabi wenza isivumelwano loBheni-hadadi wasemyekela wahamba.

35 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika komunye wamadodana abaphrofethi,*+ wasesithi kumngane wakhe: “Ngicela ungitshaye.” Kodwa umngane wakhe wala ukumtshaya. 36 Ngakho wathi kuye: “Uzathi usuka nje lapha ubulawe yisilwane ngoba awuzange ulilalele ilizwi likaJehova.” Umngane wakhe wathi esesukile wahlangana lesilwane sambulala.

37 Umphrofethi wathola enye indoda wasesithi kuyo: “Ngicela ungitshaye.” Indoda leyo yamtshaya yamlimaza.

38 Wasuka waya emgwaqweni wayalindela inkosi ezivale ngebhanditshi emehlweni. 39 Inkosi yathi isedlula, umphrofethi wayimemeza wathi kuyo: “Inceku yakho ibilapho impi ebitshisa khona futhi kufike enye indoda kimi iletha omunye umuntu yathi, ‘Linda umuntu lo. Nxa singathi sesimfuna simswele, wena nguwe ozabulawa esikhundleni sakhe+ kumbe ubhadale ngethalenta* elilodwa lesiliva.’ 40 Inceku yakho ithe isabamba lokhu lalokhuya, umuntu lowo wanyamalala.” Inkosi yako-Israyeli yamphendula yathi: “Leso yiso isijeziso sakho, wena ngokwakho uzahlulele.” 41 Umphrofethi wakhipha ibhanditshi emehlweni, inkosi yako-Israyeli yasinanzelela ukuthi ngomunye wabaphrofethi.+ 42 Wasesithi enkosini: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘Njengoba uyekele umuntu engithe umbulale waphunyuka,+ wena nguwe osuzakufa esikhundleni sakhe+ njalo abantu bakho yibo abazakufa esikhundleni sabantu bakhe.’”+ 43 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yathi ikuzwa lokhu yadana kakhulu yasuka yaya eSamariya+ ubuso bayo buhlobile.

21 Ngemva kwakho konke lokho kwavuka indaba ephathelane lensimu yamagilebisi kaNabhothi waseJeziriyeli. Insimu leyo yayiseJeziriyeli+ eceleni kwesigodlo sika-Ahabi inkosi yeSamariya. 2 U-Ahabi wathi kuNabhothi: “Ngicela ungiphe insimu yakho yamagilebisi, ngifuna ukulima kuyo imibhida ngoba iseduze kwendlu yami. Mina ngizakunika insimu engcono kulayo kodwa nxa ufuna ukungithengisela ngingayithenga ngemali.” 3 Kodwa uNabhothi wathi ku-Ahabi: “Angisoze ngikunike ilifa labokhokho bami ngoba uJehova kakuvumeli lokho.”+ 4 Ngakho u-Ahabi wabuyela endlini yakhe edanile lobuso bakhe buhlobile ngenxa yokuthi uNabhothi umJeziriyeli wayemphendule wathi: “Angisoze ngikunike ilifa labokhokho bami.” U-Ahabi wafika walala embhedeni wakhe efulathele wakhangela emdulini. Waqhubeka enjalo futhi esala lokudla.

5 Umkakhe uJezebheli+ wangena wasembuza wathi: “Kungani udanile futhi usala ukudla?” 6 U-Ahabi wamphendula wathi: “Ngikhulume loNabhothi umJeziriyeli ngisithi angithengisele insimu yakhe yamagilebisi kumbe ngimnike eyinye insimu nxa efuna. Kodwa yena walile wathi, ‘Angisoze ngikunike insimu yami.’” 7 Umkakhe uJezebheli wamphendula wathi: “Kanti ayisuwe yini inkosi yako-Israyeli? Vuka udle futhi uthokoze, mina ngizakunika insimu kaNabhothi umJeziriyeli.”+ 8 Ngakho uJezebheli wabhala izincwadi ngebizo lika-Ahabi, wazifaka uphawu+ luka-Ahabi wasezithumela kubadala+ lezikhulu ezazihlala edolobheni lakibo kaNabhothi. 9 Ezincwadini lezo wabhala wathi: “Memezelani ukuthi abantu bazile ukudla, beselihlalisa uNabhothi phambi kwabantu. 10 Lidinge amadoda amabili angelancedo azahlala phambi kwakhe afakaze amanga ngaye+ athi, ‘Simuzwe ethuka uNkulunkulu lenkosi!’+ Ngemva kwalokho limkhiphele ngaphandle kwedolobho limkhande ngamatshe aze afe.”+

11 Ngakho amadoda edolobho lakibo kaNabhothi, abadala lezikhulu ezazihlala edolobheni lakibo, zakwenza konke okwakubhalwe ezincwadini ezazithunyezwe nguJezebheli. 12 Bamemezela ukuthi abantu bazile ukudla, basebehlalisa uNabhothi phambi kwabantu. 13 Kwabuya amadoda amabili angelancedo afika ahlala phambi kukaNabhothi, aqalisa ukufakaza amanga ngaye phambi kwabantu esithi: “Sizwe uNabhothi ethuka uNkulunkulu lenkosi!”+ Ngemva kwalokho bamkhiphela ngaphandle kwedolobho basebemkhanda ngamatshe waze wafa.+ 14 Bathumela ilizwi kuJezebheli bathi: “UNabhothi ukhandwe ngamatshe wafa.”+

15 UJezebheli wathi esizwa nje ukuthi uNabhothi bamkhande ngamatshe wafa, wathi ku-Ahabi: “Hamba uyethatha insimu kaNabhothi umJeziriyeli,+ leyo ayala ukukuthengisela yona ngoba kasekho, usefile.” 16 U-Ahabi wathi esizwa ukuthi uNabhothi usefile, wahle wasuka waya ensimini kaNabhothi umJeziriyeli ukuze ayithathe ibe ngeyakhe.

17 Kodwa ilizwi likaJehova lafika ku-Elija+ umThishibi lathi: 18 “Suka uye eSamariya+ uyehlangana lo-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli. Khathesi usensimini kaNabhothi ngoba ufuna ukuyithatha ibe ngeyakhe. 19 Kumele umtshele uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Kambe ungabulala umuntu+ uphinde uthathe lempahla yakhe?”’+ Ngemva kwalokho kumele uthi kuye, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Endaweni lapho izinja ezikhothe khona igazi likaNabhothi, zizakhotha lelakho.”’”+

20 U-Ahabi wathi ku-Elija: “Usungitholile wena sitha sami!”+ U-Elija waphendula wathi: “Ye sengikutholile. ‘Ngenxa yokuthi wena uzimisele ukwenza okubi phambi kukaJehova,+ 21 ngizakwehlisela umonakalo, futhi ngemva kwakho ngizathanyela ngiqede bonke abesilisa abendlu ka-Ahabi,+ kugoqele lalabo abangelamandla labazihluphekelayo ko-Israyeli.+ 22 Ngizakwenza indlu yakho ibe njengendlu kaJerobhowami+ indodana kaNebhathi kanye lendlu kaBhahasha+ indodana ka-Ahija ngoba ungithukuthelisile njalo wenza ukuthi abako-Israyeli bone.’ 23 Kanti njalo uJehova uthi ngoJezebheli: ‘UJezebheli uzadliwa yizinja ensimini eseJeziriyeli.+ 24 Loba ngubani ongoka-Ahabi ozafela edolobheni uzadliwa yizinja njalo loba ngubani ozafela egangeni uzadliwa zinyoni.+ 25 Phela akula omunye owenze njengo-Ahabi.+ Yena uzimisele ukwenza okubi phambi kukaJehova etshotshozelwa ngumkakhe uJezebheli.+ 26 Wenze okubi kakhulu wakhonza izithombe ezenyanyekayo,* njengalokho okwakusenziwa ngama-Amori uJehova awaxotsha phambi kwabako-Israyeli.’”+

27 U-Ahabi wathi esizwa amazwi la, wadabula izigqoko zakhe wagqoka isembatho sesaka njalo wazila ukudla. Wayeselala phansi egqoke isembatho sesaka futhi wayehamba edanile. 28 Ilizwi likaJehova laselifika ku-Elija umThishibi lathi: 29 “Ubonile yini ukuthi u-Ahabi uthe esizwa amazwi ami wazithoba?+ Yikho umonakalo angisoze ngiwulethe esaphila ngenxa yokuthi uzehlisile phambi kwami. Sengizakwehlisela umonakalo phezu kwendlu yakhe ngensuku zendodana yakhe.”+

22 Kwahlala iminyaka emithathu kungelampi phakathi kwamaSiriya labako-Israyeli. 2 Ngomnyaka wesithathu inkosi yakoJuda uJehoshafathi+ yavakatshela u-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli.+ 3 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yakhuluma lezinceku zayo yathi: “Angithi liyakwazi ukuthi iRamothi-giliyadi+ ngeyethu? Kodwa lokhu sidonda ukuyithatha enkosini yeSiriya.” 4 Ngemva kwalokho yathi kuJehoshafathi: “Uzahamba lami yini siyehlasela iRamothi-giliyadi?” UJehoshafathi waphendula inkosi yako-Israyeli wathi: “Mina lawe singabantu banye, abantu bami ngabakho lamabhiza ami ngawakho.”+

5 UJehoshafathi waqhubeka wathi enkosini yako-Israyeli: “Kodwa ngicela uqale ubuze+ ukuthi uJehova uthini.”+ 6 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yasiqoqa abaphrofethi abangaba ngu-400 yababuza yathi: “Ngihambe yini ngiyekulwa leRamothi-giliyadi kumbe ngingayi?” Bona bayiphendula bathi: “Hamba nkosi ngoba uJehova uzakwenza ukuthi uyinqobe.”

7 UJehoshafathi wasesithi: “Kanti lapha akulamphrofethi kaJehova yini sibuze lakuye?”+ 8 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yaphendula uJehoshafathi yathi: “Ukhona oyedwa esingabuza kuye ukuthi uJehova uthini+ kodwa ngiyamzonda+ ngoba kakaze aphrofethe okuhle ngami, uhlala ephrofetha okubi kuphela.+ NguMikhaya indodana ka-Imla.” Kodwa uJehoshafathi wathi: “Inkosi kayingatsho njalo.”

9 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yasibiza esinye isiphathamandla sayo sesigodlweni yathi kuso: “Phangisa uyethatha uMikhaya indodana ka-Imla.”+ 10 Inkosi yako-Israyeli loJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda babehlezi ezihlalweni zobukhosi begqoke izembatho zesikhosini. Babesesizeni* esisegedini leSamariya futhi bonke abaphrofethi babephrofetha phambi kwabo.+ 11 UZedekhiya indodana kaKhenana wenza impondo zensimbi wasesithi: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘AmaSiriya uzawahlaba ngempondo lezi uze uwaqede.’” 12 Bonke abaphrofethi babephrofetha okufananayo besithi: “Hamba eRamothi-giliyadi, uzanqoba. UJehova uzayinikela esandleni senkosi.”

13 Isithunywa esasithunywe ukuyabiza uMikhaya sathi kuye: “Bonke abaphrofethi bakhuluma okuhle enkosini futhi bayavumelana. Ngicela lawe ukhulume amazwi anjengawabo, ukhulume okuhle.”+ 14 Kodwa uMikhaya wathi: “Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo, mina ngizakhuluma loba yini uJehova azangitshela yona.” 15 UMikhaya wafika enkosini, inkosi yasimbuza yathi: “Mikhaya, sihambe yini siyekulwa leRamothi-giliyadi kumbe singayi?” Yena wahle waphendula wathi: “Hamba uzanqoba. UJehova uzanikela iRamothi-giliyadi esandleni senkosi.” 16 Inkosi yasisithi kuye: “Ufuna ngikufungise kuze kube kangaki ukuthi ungangitsheli olunye ulutho kodwa ukhulume iqiniso ebizweni likaJehova?” 17 UMikhaya wasesithi: “Ngibona bonke abako-Israyeli besabalele ezintabeni+ njengezimvu ezingelamelusi. UJehova uthe, ‘Abantu laba abalankosi, omunye lomunye kabuyele emzini wakhe ngokuthula.’”

18 Ngakho inkosi yako-Israyeli yathi kuJehoshafathi: “Angikutshelanga yini ukuthi kasoze aphrofethe okuhle ngami kodwa uzakhuluma okubi kuphela?”+

19 UMikhaya wasesithi: “Zwana ilizwi likaJehova: Ngibone uJehova ehlezi esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi,+ lonke ibutho elisemazulwini limi eduze kwakhe ngakwesokudla lakwesenxele.+ 20 UJehova wasesithi, ‘Ngubani ozaqila u-Ahabi ukuze ahambe ayefela eRamothi-giliyadi?’ Omunye ubekhuluma lokhu, omunye ekhuluma lokhuya. 21 Enye ingilosi+ yasihamba yayakuma phambi kukaJehova yathi, ‘Mina ngizamqila.’ UJehova waseyibuza wathi, ‘Uzamqila njani?’ 22 Yona yaphendula yathi, ‘Ngizahamba kuye ngenze bonke abaphrofethi bakhe bamqambele amanga.’+ UNkulunkulu wathi, ‘Uzamqila sibili futhi icebo lakho lizaphumelela. Hamba uyekwenza okutshoyo.’ 23 Yikho uJehova wenze ukuthi bonke abaphrofethi bakho bakuqambele amanga.+ Kodwa iqiniso yikuthi uJehova uthe uzakwehlelwa ngumonakalo.”+

24 UZedekhiya indodana kaKhenana walanda uMikhaya wamtshaya esihlathini wathi: “Umoya kaJehova udlule njani kimi wayakhuluma lawe?”+ 25 UMikhaya wasephendula wathi: “Ngelanga ozangena ngalo endlini engaphakathi usiyacatsha uzabona ukuthi lokho kwenzakale njani.” 26 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yathi: “Thathani uMikhaya lihambe laye ku-Amoni umphathi wedolobho lakuJowashi indodana yenkosi. 27 Libatshele lithi, ‘Inkosi ithi: “Fakani umuntu lo ejele,+ limnike ukudla okuncane* lamanzi amalutshwana ngize ngiphenduke ngokuthula.”’” 28 Kodwa uMikhaya wathi: “Nxa ungaphenduka ngokuthula, uJehova uyabe engakhulumanga lami.”+ Wasephinda wathi: “Ngithemba lonke liyawezwa amazwi ami.”

29 Inkosi yako-Israyeli loJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda basuka baya eRamothi-giliyadi.+ 30 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yathi kuJehoshafathi: “Ngizahamba empini ngizifihlile ukuze banganginanzeleli ukuthi ngingubani, kodwa wena kumele ugqoke izembatho zakho zesikhosini.” Ngakho inkosi yako-Israyeli yathi isisiya empini yatshintsha izigqoko zayo+ ukuze abantu bangayinanzeleli. 31 Inkosi yeSiriya yayitshele izinduna zamabutho ezingu-32 ezazikhokhela amabutho ayehamba ngezinqola+ yathi: “Lingalwi lamuntu, kungaba ngomncane loba omkhulu. Lina lihlasele inkosi yako-Israyeli kuphela.” 32 Izinduna zamabutho ayehamba ngezinqola zathi zibona uJehoshafathi zahle zathi: “Nansi inkosi yako-Israyeli.” Ngakho zatshibilika zamhlasela, uJehoshafathi waqalisa ukukhala ecela uncedo. 33 Izinduna zamabutho zathi zibona ukuthi ayisiyo inkosi yako-Israyeli zahle zaphenduka zayekela ukumxotshanisa.

34 Enye indoda yatshoka umtshoko ingaqondanga muntu, umtshoko wayagwaza u-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli lapho okwakuhlangana khona insimbi zejazi lakhe lempi. Ngakho inkosi yathi kulowo owayetshayela inqola: “Tshibilika ungikhiphe lapho okuliwa khona ngoba bangilimaze kubi.”+ 35 Balwa ilanga lonke kwaba nzima. Inkosi babelokhu beyijekile enqoleni ikhangele amaSiriya. Igazi elaliphuma enxebeni lagelezela enqoleni njalo kwathi sekuntambama inkosi yafa.+ 36 Ilanga lathi selisiyatshona kwamenyezelwa enkambeni kwathiwa: “Bonke abantu ababuyele emadolobheni akibo! Bonke ababuyele ezindaweni zabo!”+ 37 Yafa njalo inkosi, basebeyithwala bayisa eSamariya bayingcwaba khona. 38 Bathi begezisa inqola echibini leSamariya izinja zakhotha igazi lika-Ahabi njalo amawule abuya azogeza khonapho* njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo.+

39 Yonke imbali ka-Ahabi, lakho konke akwenzayo, lokwakha kwakhe indlu* ngempondo zendlovu+ kanye lamadolobho wonke awakhayo, kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali yamakhosi ako-Israyeli. 40 U-Ahabi wafa,+ indodana yakhe u-Ahaziya+ yasisiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

41 UJehoshafathi+ indodana ka-Asa waba yinkosi yakoJuda ngomnyaka wesine wokubusa kuka-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli. 42 UJehoshafathi wayeleminyaka engu-35 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-25. Unina kwakungu-Azubha indodakazi kaShilihi. 43 UJehoshafathi waqhubeka elandela konke okwakusenziwa nguyise u-Asa+ futhi kazange aphambuke, wenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova.+ Kodwa izindawo eziphakemeyo* azizange zidilizwe futhi abantu babelokhu betshisa imihlatshelo njalo benikela ezindaweni eziphakemeyo.+ 44 UJehoshafathi wahlalisana ngokuthula lenkosi yako-Israyeli.+ 45 Yonke imbali kaJehoshafathi lobuqhawe bakhe lezimpi azilwayo, kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali yamakhosi akoJuda. 46 UJehoshafathi wasusa wonke amawule esilisa+ ayesele elizweni ngensuku zikayise u-Asa.+

47 Ngalesosikhathi kwakungelankosi ko-Edomi,+ kwakubusa omunye wabasekeli benkosi.+

48 UJehoshafathi wenza imikhumbi yeThashishi* ukuze iyethwala igolide+ e-Ofiri, kodwa ayisahambanga ngoba yabhidlikela e-Eziyoni-gebheri.+ 49 Yikho lapho u-Ahaziya indodana ka-Ahabi atshela khona uJehoshafathi wathi: “Izinceku zami azihambe lezakho ngemikhumbi.” Kodwa uJehoshafathi wala.

50 UJehoshafathi wafa+ wangcwatshwa emangcwabeni abokhokho bakhe edolobheni likaDavida ukhokho wakhe. Indodana yakhe uJehoramu+ yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

51 U-Ahaziya+ indodana ka-Ahabi waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli eSamariya ngomnyaka wesi-17 wokubusa kukaJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda futhi wabusa ko-Israyeli iminyaka emibili. 52 Waqhubeka esenza okubi phambi kukaJehova, elandela okwakusenziwa nguyise+ lonina+ kanye lalokho okwenziwa nguJerobhowami indodana kaNebhathi owabangela ukuthi abako-Israyeli bone.+ 53 Waqhubeka ekhonza uBhali+ njalo emkhothamela, ethukuthelisa uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli+ njengalokho okwakusenziwa nguyise.