1 Samweli 26

1 Wazifi wakamwendea Sauli huko Gibea na kusema, “Je, Daudi akujificha katika vilima vya Hakila, ambavyo viko mbele ya jangwa?”

And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying: 'Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?'

2 Kisha Sauli akaamka na kwenda chini ya jangwa la Zifu, akiwa na watu elfu tatu waliochaguliwa katika Israeli, wamtafute Daudi katika jangwa la Zifu.

Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

3 Sauli akaweka kambi kwenye kilima cha Hakila, kilicho mbele ya jangwa, kando ya barabara. Lakini Daudi alikuwa akikaa nyikani, na akaona kwamba Sauli alikuwa anamfuatia huko jangwani.

And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

4 Hivyo Daudi akawatuma wapelelezi na akafahamu kwamba hakika Sauli alikuwa amekuja.

David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.

5 Daudi akaamka na kwenda hadi mahali ambapo Sauli alipiga kambi; akaona mahali alipolala Sauli, na Abneri mwana wa Neri, mkuu wa jeshi lake; Sauli alilala katikati ya kambi, na watu walipiga kambi kumzunguka, na wote wamesinzia.

And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched; and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host; and Saul lay within the barricade, and the people pitched round about him.

6 Ndipo Daudi akamwambia Ahimeleki Mhiti, na Abishai mwana wa Seruya, ndugu yake Yoabu, “Ni nani atakwenda nami kambini kwa Sauli? Abishai akasema, “Mimi nitashuka pamoja nawe.”

Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying: 'Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp?' And Abishai said: 'I will go down with thee.'

7 Hivyo Daudi na Abishai wakaliendea jeshi usiku. Na Sauli alikuwapo akisinzia ndani ya kambi, mkuki wake umechomekwa chini pembeni mwa kichwa chake. Abneri na Askari wake wamelala kwa kumzunguka.

So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the barricade, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay round about him.

8 Kisha Abishai akamwambia Daudi, “Leo Mungu amemweka adui yako mkononi mwako. Basi tafadhali acha nimchome mkuki nimtoboe hadi chini kwa pigo moja. Sitampiga mara mbili.”

Then said Abishai to David: 'God hath delivered up thine enemy into thy hand this day; now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear to the earth at one stroke, and I will not smite him the second time.'

9 Daudi akamwambia Abishai, “Usimwangamize; kwa maana nani awezaye kunyoosha mkono wake dhidi ya mtiwa mafuta wa BWANA na asiwe na hatia?”

And David said to Abishai: 'Destroy him not; for who can put forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?'

10 Daudi akasema, “Kama BWANA aishivyo, BWANA atamuua, au siku ya kufa kwake itakuja, au atakwenda katika vita na ataangamia.

And David said: 'As the LORD liveth, nay, but the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall go down into battle, and be swept away.

11 BWANA apishe mbali nisinyooshe mkono wangu dhidi ya mtiwa mafuta wake; lakini sasa, nakusihi chukua mkuki uliokichwani pake na jagi la maji, tuondoke.”

The LORD forbid it me, that I should put forth my hand against the LORD'S anointed; but now take, I pray thee, the spear that is at his head, and the cruse of water and let us go.'

12 Hivyo Daudi akachukua mkuki na jagi la maji kutoka kichwani pa Daudi, wakatoweka. Hakuna mtu aliyewaona au kufahamu habari hii, wala hakuna aliyetoka usingizini, maana wote walisinzia, kwa sababu usingizi mzito kutoka kwa BWANA uliwaangukia.

So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's head; and they got them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither did any awake; for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.

13 Kisha Daudi akaenda upande mwingine na akasimama juu ya mlima mbali sana; ukiwepo umbali mkubwa katikati yao.

Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off; a great space being between them.

14 Daudi akawapigia kelele watu hao na Abneri mwana Neri; akisema, “Hujibu neno, Abneri?” Ndipo Abneri akajibu na kusema, “Wewe ni nani unayempigia mfalme kelele?”

And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying: 'Answerest thou not, Abner?' Then Abner answered and said: 'Who art thou that criest to the king?'

15 Daudi akamwambia Abneri, “Wewe siye mtu jasiri? Ni nani yuko kama wewe katika Israeli? Kwa nini basi hukukaa macho kumlinda bwana wako mfalme? Kwa maana mtu fulani aliingia kumuua mfalme, bwana wako.

And David said to Abner: 'Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept watch over thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.

16 Jambo hili ulilolifanya siyo zuri. Kama BWANA aishivyo, unapaswa kufa kwa sababu hukumlinda bwana wako, mtiwa mafuta wa BWANA. Na sasa tazama ulipo mkuki wa mfalme, na jagi la maji lililokuwa kichwani pake.”

This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the LORD liveth, ye deserve to die, because ye have not kept watch over your lord, the LORD'S anointed. And now, see, where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.'

17 Sauli aliitambua sauti ya Daudi akasema, “Hiyo ni sauti yako, Daudi mwanangu?” Daudi akasema, “Ni sauti yangu, mfalme, bwana wangu.”

And Saul knew David's voice, and said: 'Is this thy voice, my son David?' And David said: 'It is my voice, my lord, O king.'

18 Daudi akasema, “Kwa nini bwana wangu anamwandama mtumishi wake? Nimefanya nini? Mkononi mwangu kuna uovu gani?

And he said: 'Wherefore doth my lord pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in my hand?

19 Kwa hiyo sasa, nakusihi, bwana wangu mfalme asikilize maneno ya mtumishi wake. Kama ni BWANA ndiye amekuchochea dhidi yangu, na aikubali sadaka; lakini kama ni wanadamu, na walaaniwe mbele za BWANA, maana leo wamenifukuza, nisishikamane na urithi wa BWANA; wameniambia, 'Nenda ukaabudu miungu mingine.'

Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it be the LORD that hath stirred thee up against me, let Him accept an offering; but if it be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day that I should not cleave unto the inheritance of the LORD, saying: Go, serve other gods.

20 Kwa hiyo, sasa, usiiachilie damu yangu ianguke ardhini mbali na uwepo wa BWANA; kwa kuwa mfalme wa Israeli ametoka nje kutafuta kiroboto, kama vile mtu awindavyo kware milimani.”

Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the LORD; for the king of Israel is come out to seek a single flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.'

21 Kisha Sauli akasema, “Nimefanya dhambi. Rudi, Mwanangu, Daudi; maana sitakudhuru tena, kwa sababu leo maisha yangu yalikuwa yenye thamani machoni pako. Tazama, nimetenda upumbavu na nimekosa sana.”

Then said Saul: 'I have sinned; return, my son David; for I will no more do thee harm, because my life was precious in thine eyes this day; behold, I have played the fool and erred exceedingly.'

22 Daudi akajibu na akasema, “Tazama, mkuki wako uko hapa, mfalme! Mruhusu kijana mmojawapo aje auchukue na aulete kwako.

And David answered and said: 'Behold the king's spear! let then one of the young men come over and fetch it.

23 Na BWANA amlipe kila mtu kwa ajili ya uadilifu wake na kwa uaminifu wake; kwa sababu leo BWANA alikuweka mkononi mwangu, lakini nisinge mpiga mtiwa mafuta wake.

And the LORD will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; forasmuch as the LORD delivered thee into my hand to-day, and I would not put forth my hand against the LORD'S anointed.

24 Na tazama, kama maisha yako leo yalivyokuwa ya thamani machoni pangu, vivyo hivyo maisha yangu yathaminiwe sana machoni pa BWANA, na aweze kuniokoa katika shida zote.”

And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.'

25 Ndipo Sauli akamwambia Daudi, “Na ubarikiwe, mwanangu Daudi, ili uweze kutenda mambo makuu, na hakika uweze kufanikiwa.” Ndipo Daudi akaenda zake, na Sauli akarudi kwake.

Then Saul said to David: 'Blessed be thou, my son David; thou shalt both do mightily, and shalt surely prevail.' So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.