2 Samweli 15

1 Ikawa baada ya haya Absalomu akaandaa gari la farasi na farasi kwa ajili yake pamoja na watu hamsini wa kwenda mbele zake.

And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

2 Absalomu alikuwa akiamka mapema na kusimama kando ya njia iliyoelekea katika lango la mji. Mtu yeyote aliyekuwa na shauri la kuja kwa mfalme kwa ajili ya hukumu, Absalomu alimwita na kumwuliza, “Unatoka mji upi?” Na mtu yule hujibu, Mtumishi wako anatoka mojawapo ya kabila za Israeli.”

And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

3 Hivyo Absalomu umwambia, “Tazama, shitaka lako ni jema na la haki, lakini hakuna aliyepewa mamlaka na mfalme kusikiliza shitaka lako.

And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

4 Absalomu uongeza, “Natamani kwamba ningefanywa mwamzi ndani ya nchi ili kwamba kila mtu aliye na shitaka angeweza kuja kwangu nami ningempa haki.

Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

5 Hivyo ikawa kila mtu aliyekuja kumweshimu Absalomu yeye hunyosha mkono na kumshika na kumbusu.

And it was so, that when any man came nigh to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him.

6 Absalomu alifanya hivi kwa Israeli wote waliokuja kwa mfalme kwa ajili ya hukumu. Hivyo Absalomu akaipotosha mioyo ya watu wa Israeli.

And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 Ikawa mwishoni mwa miaka minne Absalomu akamwambia mfalme, “Tafadhari niruhusu niende ili nitimize nadhiri niliyoiweka kwa Yahwe huko Hebroni.

And it came to pass at the end of forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.

8 Kwa maana mtumishi wako aliweka nadhiri alipokuwako Geshuri katika Shamu akisema, 'Ikiwa Yahwe kweli atanirejesha Yerusalemu, ndipo nitamwabudu yeye.”

For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

9 Hivyo mfalme akamwambia, “Nenda kwa amani”. Absalomu akainuka na kwenda Hebroni.

And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

10 Kisha Absalomu akatuma wapelelezi katika jamaa zote za Israeli, kusema, “Mara msikiapo sauti ya tarumbeta semeni, 'Absalomu anatawala katika Hebroni.”

But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom is king in Hebron.

11 Watu mia mbili waliokuwa wamearikwa kutoka Yerusalemu wakaenda na Absalomu. Wakaenda katika ujinga wao bila kujua Absalomu alichokipanga. Wakati

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they knew not any thing.

12 Absalomu akitoa dhabihu, alituma watu kwa Ahithofeli katika mji wake huko Gilo. Yeye alikuwa mshauri wa Daudi. Uaini wa Absalomu ukawa na nguvu kwa kuwa watu waliomfuata waliendelea kuongezeka.

And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

13 Mjumbe akaja kwa Daudi na kusema, “Mioyo ya watu wa Israeli inaambatana na Absalomu.”

And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

14 Hivyo Daudi akawambia watumishi wake waliokuwa pamoja naye huko Yerusalemu, “Haya na tuinuke na kukimbia kwani hakuna hata mmoja atakayesalimika kwa Absalomu. Jiandaeni kuondoka mara moja asije akatupata mara hata akasababisha madhara juu yetu na kuushambulia mji kwa makali ya upanga.”

And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for else none of us shall escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

15 Watumishi wa mfalme wakamwambia, “Tazama, watumishi wako wapo tiyari kufanya lolote bwana wetu mfalme atakaloamua.

And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall choose.

16 Mfalme akaondoka na familia yake yote pamoja naye, lakini mfalme akawaacha wanawake kumi waliokuwa masuria wa mfalme ili walitunze kasri.

And the king went forth, and all his household after him, And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

17 Baada ya mfalme kwenda na watu wote pamoja naye, wakasimama katika nyumba ya mwisho.

And the king went forth, and all the people after him; and they tarried in Beth-merhak.

18 Jeshi lake lote likaenda pamoja naye na mbele yake wakaenda Wakerethi na Wapelethi, na Wagiti mia sita wote waliokuwa wamemfuata kutoka Gathi.

And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

19 Kisha mfalme akamwambia Itai Mgiti, “Kwa nini wewe pia uende nasi? Rudi na ukae na mfalme Absalomu kwa kuwa wewe ni mgeni tena mfungwa. Rudi mahali pako mwenyewe.

Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile; [return] to thine own place.

20 Kwani ni jana tu umeondoka, kwa nini nikufanye uzunguke nasi popote? Hata sijui niendako. Hivyo rudi pamoja na wenzako. Utiifu na uaminifu viambatane nawe.”

Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us, seeing I go whither I may? return thou, and take back thy brethren; mercy and truth be with thee.

21 Lakini Itai akamjibu mfalme na kusema, “Kama Yahwe aishivyo na kama bwana wangu mfalme aishivyo, kwa hakika mahali popote bwana wangu mfalme aendako, mtumishi wako pia ndipo atakapokwenda, kwamba ni maisha au kifo.”

And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, even there also will thy servant be.

22 Hivyo Daudi akamwambia Itai, haya tangulia uende pamoja nasi.” Hivyo Itai Mgiti akaenda pamoja na mfalme, pamoja na watu wake wote na familia zao zote.

And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

23 Nchi yote ikalia kwa sauti kadili watu walivyokuwa wakivuka Bonde la Kidroni, mfalme naye pia akavuka. Watu wote wakasafiri kuelekea nyikani.

And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

24 Walikuwepo pia Sadoki pamoja na Walawi wote wamebeba sanduku la Mungu la agano. Wakaliweka sanduku la Mungu chini na kisha Abiathari akaungana nao. Wakasubiri mpaka watu wote walioondoka mjini walipokwisha kupita.

And, lo, Zadok also [came], and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God; and they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

25 Mfalme akamwambia Sadoki, “Ulirudishe sanduku la Mungu mjini. Ikiwa nitaona neema machoni pa Yahwe atanirudisha na kunionesha tena sanduku na mahali likaapo.

And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:

26 Lakini ikiwa atasema, sipendezwi nawe,' tazama mimi nipo hapa, na anitendee yaliyo mema machoni pake.”

but if he say thus, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

27 Pia mfalme akamwambia Sadoki kuhani, “Je wewe siyo mwonaji? Rudi mjini kwa amani na wanao wawili, Ahimaazi mwanao na Yonathani mwana wa Abiathari.

The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art thou [not] a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

28 Tazama nitasubiri katika vivuko vya Araba mpaka nitakapo pata neno kutoka kwenu kunitaarifu.”

See, I will tarry at the fords of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

29 Hivyo Sadoki na Abiathari wakalirudish sanduku la Mungu Yerusalemu nao wakakaa humo.

Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they abode there.

30 Lakini Daudi akaenda bila viatu huku akilia hata Mlima wa Mizeituni, naye alikuwa amefunika kichwa chake. Kila mtu miongoni mwao waliokuwa pamoja naye akafunika kichwa chake, nao wakaenda huku wakilia.

And David went up by the ascent of the [mount of] Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot: and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

31 Mtu mmoja akamwambia Daudi kusema, Ahithofeli ni miongoni mwa waaini walio pamoja na Absalomu.” Hivyo Daudi akaomba, “Ee Yahwe, tafadhari badili ushauri wa Ahithofeli kuwa upumbavu.”

And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

32 Ikawa Daudi alipofika juu njiani mahala Mungu alipokuwa akiabudiwa, Hushai Mwarki akaja kumlaki vazi lake limeraruliwa na mavumbi kichwani pake.

And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top [of the ascent], where God was worshipped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:

33 Daudi akamwambia, “Ikiwa utaenda nami utakuwa mzigo kwangu.

And David said unto him, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

34 Lakini ukirudi mjini na kumwambia Absalomu, 'Nitakuwa mtumishi wa mfalme kama nilivokuwa mtumishi wa baba yako, ndivyo nitakavyokuwa mtumishi wako,' ndipo utayageuza mashauri ya Ahithofeli kwa ajili yangu.

but if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant in time past, so will I now be thy servant: then shalt thou defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.

35 Je haunao pamoja nawe Sadoki na Abiathari makuhani? Hivyo chochote ukisikiacho katika kasri, uwaambie Sadoki na Abiathari makuhani.

And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

36 Tazama wanao pamoja nao wana wao wawili, Ahimaasi, mwana wa Sadoki, na Yonathani mwana wa Abiathari. Mniletee habari juu ya kila mnachokisikia.”

Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye shall hear.

37 Hivyo Hushai, rafiki wa Daudi, akaja mjini wakati Absalomu anafika na kuingia Yerusalemu.

So Hushai David’s friend came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.