To The Word – Day 114

₁Inkosi uSolomoni yathanda abesifazane abaningi bezizwe kanye nendodakazi kaFaro, abangamaMowabikazi, nama-Amonikazi, nama-Edomikazi, namaSidonikazi, namaHetikazi, ₂abezizwe uJehova ayeshilo ngabo kwabakwa-Israyeli ukuthi: “Aniyikungena kubo, nabo bangangeni kini, ngokuba impela bayakuziphambukisa izinhliziyo zenu, zize zilandele onkulunkulu babo.” Kulabo uSolomoni wanamathela ngothando. ₃Wayenabafazi abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa abangamadodakazi amakhosi, nezancinza ezingamakhulu amathathu; omkakhe bayiphambukisa inhliziyo yakhe. ₄Kwathi uSolomoni esemdala, omkakhe bayiphambukisa inhliziyo yakhe ukuba ilandele abanye onkulunkulu; inhliziyo yakhe yayingekho kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe ngokuphelelyo njengenhliziyo kaDavide uyise. ₅USolomoni walandela u-Ashitaroti unkulunkulukazi wamaSidoni noMilkomu isinengiso sabakwa-Amoni. ₆USolomoni wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova, kamlandelanga uJehova ngokupheleleyo njengoDavide uyise.

₇USolomoni wakhela uKemoshi isinengiso sakwaMowabi indawo ephakemeyo entabeni engaphambi kweJerusalema, noMoloki isinengiso sabantwana bakwa-Amoni. ₈Wabenzela kanjalo bonke omkakhe bezizwe abashisa impepho, bahlabela onkulunkulu babo.

₉UJehova wamthukuthelela uSolomoni, ngokuba inhliziyo yakhe yayiphambukile kuJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli owayebonakele kuye kabili, ₁₀wamyala ngale nto yokuthi akayikulandela abanye onkulunkulu; kepha akagcinanga lokho uJehova amyale ngakho.

₁₁Ngalokho uJehova wathi kuSolomoni: “Njengokuba wenzile lokho wena, ungagcinanga isivumelwano sami nezimiso zami engikuyale ngakho, ngiyakuwuhlwitha nokuhlwitha umbuso kuwe, ngiwunike inceku yakho. ₁₂Kepha angiyikukwenza emihleni yakho ngenxa kaDavide uyihlo, kodwa ngiyakuwuhlwitha esandleni sendodana yakho. ₁₃Nokho wonke umbuso angiyikuwuhlwitha, kepha ngiyakunika indodana yakho isizwe sibe sinye ngenxa kaDavide inceku yami nangenxa yeJerusalema engilikhethileyo.”

₁₄UJehova wamvusela uSolomoni omelana naye, uHadadi wakwa-Edomi; wayengowozalo lwenkosi yakwa-Edomi. ₁₅Kwathi uDavide ekwa-Edomi, noJowabe induna yempi enyukele ukumbela ababuleweyo, ebacekile bonke abesilisa kwa-Edomi ₁₆ngokuba uJowabe naye wonke u-Israyeli bahlala khona izinyanga eziyisithupha, waze waqeda bonke abesilisa kwa-Edomi ₁₇uHadadi wabaleka, yena nabakwa-Edomi abathile bezinceku zikayise benaye, ukuya eGibithe, uHadadi esengumntwana omncane. ₁₈Basuka kwaMidiyani, beza ePharanu; bathatha amadoda ePharanu, baya nawo eGibithe kuFaro inkosi yaseGibithe; yena wamnika indlu, wamnqumela ukudla, wamnika nezwe.

₁₉UHadadi wafumana umusa omkhulu emehlweni kaFaro, waze wamnika umlamu wakhe abe ngumkakhe, udadewabo wenkosikazi uThahipenesi. ₂₀Udadewabo kaThahipenesi wamzalela uGenubati, indodana yakhe, uThahipenesi amlumula endlini kaFaro; uGenubati wayesendlini kaFaro phakathi kwamadodana kaFaro.

₂₁UHadadi esezwile eGibithe ukuthi uDavide ulele koyise nokuthi uJowabe induna yempi ufile, uHadadi wathi kuFaro: “Ngivumele ukuba ngihambe ngiye ezweni lakithi.”

₂₂UFaro wathi kuye: “Uswele ntoni lapha kimi ukuba ufune ukuya ezweni lakini na?”

Wathi: “Lutho, kepha mangivunyelwe impela ukuba ngihambe.”

₂₃UNkulunkulu wamvusela omunye omelana naye, uRezoni indodana ka-Eliyada owayebalekele inkosi yakhe uHadadezeri inkosi yaseSoba. ₂₄Lapho uDavide ebabulala, wazibuthela abantu, waba yinduna yeviyo; baya eDamaseku, bahlala khona, babusa eDamaseku. ₂₅Wamelana no-Israyeli zonke izinsuku zikaSolomoni phezu kokubi akwenzayo uHadadi, wanengwa ngu-Israyeli, wabusa e-Aramu.

₂₆UJerobowamu indodana kaNebati wakwa-Efrayimi waseSereda, inceku kaSolomoni, ogama likanina lalinguSeruya, umfelokazi, naye waphakamisela enkosini isandla sakhe.

₂₇Isizathu sokuba aphakamisele isandla sakhe enkosini sasiyilesi: USolomoni wayelakha iMilo, wavala isikhala emzini kaDavide uyise. ₂₈Leyo ndoda uJerobowamu yayiyiqhawe elinamandla; uSolomoni wayibona leyo nsizwa ukuthi ikhuthele emsebenzini wayo, wayibeka phezu kwawo wonke umsebenzi wendlu kaJosefa.

₂₉Kwathi ngaleso sikhathi, lapho uJerobowamu ephumile eJerusalema, umprofethi u-Ahiya waseShilo wamfumana endleleni, embethe ingubo entsha; labo bobabili babebodwa endle. ₃₀U-Ahiya wayibamba leyo ngubo entsha eyayikuye, wayiklebhula imidweshu eyishumi nambili. ₃₁Wayesethi kuJerobowamu: “Zithathele imidweshu eyishumi, ngokuba uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli usho kanje, uthi: ‘Bheka, ngiyakuhlwitha umbuso esandleni sikaSolomoni, nginike wena izizwe eziyishumi ₃₂kodwa yena uyakuba nesizwe sibe sinye ngenxa yenceku yami uDavide nangenxa yeJerusalema, umuzi engiwukhethileyo ezizweni zonke zakwa-Israyeli ₃₃ngokuba bangishiyile, bakhuleka ku-Ashitaroti unkulunkulukazi wamaSidoni, nakuKemoshi unkulunkulu wakwaMowabi, nakuMilkomu unkulunkulu wabakwa-Amoni, abahambanga ngezindlela zami ukwenza okulungile emehlweni ami, nezimiso zami, nezahlulelo zami njengoDavide uyise.

₃₄“ ‘Nokho angiyikususa wonke umbuso esandleni sakhe, kepha ngiyakumenza abe yisikhulu zonke izinsuku zokuhamba kwakhe ngenxa kaDavide inceku yami engamkhethayo, owagcina imiyalo yami nezimiso zami; ₃₅kodwa ngiyakuwukhipha umbuso esandleni sendodana yakhe, ngiwunike wena, izizwe eziyishumi. ₃₆Indodana yakhe ngiyakuyinika isizwe sibe sinye, ukuze uDavide inceku yami abe nesibani izinsuku zonke phambi kwami eJerusalema, umuzi engiwukhethileyo ukuba ngibeke khona igama lami. ₃₇Ngiyakukuthatha wena, ubuse phezu kwakho konke okuthandwa yinhliziyo yakho, ube yinkosi phezu kuka-Israyeli. ₃₈Kuyakuthi uma ulalela konke engikuyala ngakho, uhambe ngezindlela zami, wenze okulungile emehlweni ami ukugcina izimiso zami nemiyalo yami njengalokho akwenza uDavide inceku yami, ngiyakuba nawe, ngikwakhele indlu eyiyo njengalokho ngamakhela uDavide, ngikunike u-Israyeli. ₃₉Ngenxa yalokho ngiyakuyithobisa inzalo kaDavide, kodwa akuyikuba njalonjalo.’ ”

₄₀USolomoni wayesefuna ukumbulala uJerobowamu, kepha uJerobowamu wasuka, wabalekela eGibithe kuShishaki inkosi yaseGibithe, wahlala eGibithe waze wafa uSolomoni.

₄₁Ezinye izindaba zikaSolomoni, nakho konke akwenzayo, nokuhlakanipha kwakhe, angithi kulotshiwe encwadini yezindaba zikaSolomoni. ₄₂Isikhathi uSolomoni abusa ngaso eJerusalema phezu kuka-Israyeli wonke sasiyiminyaka engamashumi amane. ₄₃USolomoni wayeselala koyise, wembelwa emzini kaDavide uyise; uRehobowamu indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

₁URehobowamu waya eShekemi, ngokuba wonke u-Israyeli wayefikile eShekemi ukumbeka inkosi. ₂Kwathi lapho uJerobowamu indodana kaNebati ekuzwile – ngokuba wayeseGibithe, lapho ayebalekele khona, ebalekele ubuso benkosi uSolomoni; wahlala-ke uJerobowamu eGibithe, ₃kepha bathuma bambiza – uJerobowamu nebandla lonke lakwa-Israyeli beza, bakhuluma kuRehobowamu, bathi: ₄“Uyihlo wenza ijoka lethu laba lukhuni; ngalokho yenza wena ube lula umsebenzi olukhuni kayihlo nejoka lakhe elisindayo owalibeka phezu kwethu, siyakukukhonza.”

₅Wathi kubo: “Hambani izinsuku zibe zintathu, bese nibuyela kimi.” Basuka-ke abantu.

₆Inkosi uRehobowamu yelulekana namalunga ayemile phambi kukaSolomoni uyise, esekhona, yathi: “Nina ningeluleka ukubuyisela mpenduloni kulaba bantu na?”

₇Akhuluma kuye, athi: “Uma uyakuba yinceku yalaba bantu namhla nje, ubakhonze, ubaphendule, ukhulume amazwi amahle kubo, bayakuba yizinceku zakho izinsuku zonke.”

₈Kepha walahla isiluleko samalunga ameluleke ngaso, welulekana nezinsizwa eziyintanga yakhe, ezazimi phambi kwakhe. ₉Wathi kuzo: “Nina ningeluleka ukuba sibuyisele mpenduloni kulaba bantu abakhulume kimi ngokuthi: ‘Yenza ijoka uyihlo alibeka phezu kwethu libe lula,’ na?”

₁₀Zase zikhuluma kuye izinsizwa eziyintanga yakhe, zithi: “Uyakusho kanje kulaba bantu abakhulume kuwe ngokuthi: ‘Uyihlo walenza ijoka lethu lasinda, kepha wena ulenze libe lula kithina,’ uyakukhuluma kanje kubo, uthi: ‘Ucikicane wami mkhulu kunokhalo lukababa. ₁₁Manje ubaba wanithwesa ijoka elisindayo, mina ngiyakwenezela ejokeni lenu; ubaba wanishaya ngeziswebhu, mina ngiyakunishaya ngawofezela.’ ”

₁₂UJerobowamu nabantu bonke base befika kuRehobowamu ngosuku lwesithathu njengokusho kwenkosi, ithi: “Buyelani kimi ngosuku lwesithathu.” ₁₃Inkosi yaphendula abantu kalukhuni, yalahla isiluleko samalunga ameluleke ngaso, ₁₄yakhuluma kubo njengesiluleko sezinsizwa ngokuthi: “Ubaba walenza ijoka lenu lasinda, mina ngiyakwenezela ejokeni lenu; ubaba wanishaya ngeziswebhu, mina ngiyakunishaya ngawofezela.” ₁₅Inkosi ayilalelanga abantu, ngokuba kwakuyisiyiba esivela kuJehova, ukuze amise izwi lakhe uJehova alikhulumayo ngesandla sika-Ahiya waseShilo kuJerobowamu indodana kaNebati.

₁₆Wonke u-Israyeli esebonile ukuthi inkosi ayibalalelanga, abantu babuyisela izwi enkosini, bathi:

Wayesesuka u-Israyeli, waya ematendeni akhe. ₁₇Kepha abantwana bakwa-Israyeli abakhe emizini yakwaJuda, uRehobowamu wabusa phezu kwabo.

₁₈Inkosi uRehobowamu yathuma u-Adoramu owayephezu kwezisebenzi; u-Israyeli wonke wamkhanda ngamatshe, wafa. Inkosi uRehobowamu yashesha ukukhwela inqola yayo ukuba ibalekele eJerusalema. ₁₉U-Israyeli wayeseyihlubuka-ke indlu kaDavide kuze kube namuhla.

₂₀Kwathi wonke u-Israyeli esezwile ukuthi uJerobowamu ubuyile, bathuma bambizela emhlanganweni, bambeka inkosi phezu kuka-Israyeli wonke; akubangakho muntu olandela indlu kaDavide, isizwe sakwaJuda kuphela.

₂₁URehobowamu esefikile eJerusalema wabutha yonke indlu yakwaJuda nesizwe sakwaBenjamini, abantu abakhethiweyo abayizinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi ayisishiyagalombili, amabutho, ukuba balwe nendlu yakwa-Israyeli, bawubuyisele umbuso kuRehobowamu indodana kaSolomoni.

₂₂Lase lifika izwi likaNkulunkulu kuShemaya umuntu kaNkulunkulu, lathi: ₂₃“Khuluma kuRehobowamu indodana kaSolomoni inkosi yakwaJuda, nakuyo yonke indlu yakwaJuda neyakwaBenjamini, nakubantu abaseleyo, ngokuthi: ₂₄‘Usho kanje uJehova, uthi: Aniyikukhuphuka, ningalwi nabafowenu abantwana bakwa-Israyeli; buyelani, kube yilowo nalowo endlini yakhe, ngokuba le nto ivela kimi.’ ” Balalela izwi likaJehova, babuya, bahamba njengokusho kukaJehova.

₂₅UJerobowamu waqinisa iShekemi ezintabeni zakwa-Efrayimi, wahlala khona; waphuma lapho, waqinisa iPhenuweli.

₂₆UJerobowamu wathi enhliziyweni yakhe: “Manje umbuso uyakubuyela endlini kaDavide. ₂₇Uma laba bantu benyuka ukunikela ngemihlatshelo endlini kaJehova eJerusalema, inhliziyo yalaba bantu iyakuphindela enkosini yabo, kuRehobowamu inkosi yakwaJuda, bangibulale mina, babuyele kuRehobowamu inkosi yakwaJuda.”

₂₈Inkosi isithathe isiluleko, yenza amathole amabili egolide, yathi kubo: “Sekwanele ukuba nikhuphukele eJerusalema; bheka onkulunkulu bakho, Israyeli, abakukhuphula ezweni laseGibithe.” ₂₉Wabeka elinye eBethele, elinye walibeka kwaDani. ₃₀Leyo nto yaba yisono, ngokuba abantu baya phambi kwelinye nakwaDani.

₃₁Wakha nezindlu zezindawo eziphakemeyo, wenza abapristi ngeningi labantu abangesiwo amadodana kaLevi. ₃₂UJerobowamu wagubha umkhosi ngenyanga yesishiyagalombili ngosuku lweshumi nanhlanu lwenyanga njengomkhosi wakwaJuda, wenyukela e-altare; wenze njalo eBethele ukuba ahlabele amathole awenzileyo; wabeka eBethele abapristi bezindawo eziphakemeyo azenzileyo. ₃₃Wayesenikela e-altare alenzileyo ngosuku lweshumi nanhlanu lwenyanga yesishiyagalombili, inyanga abeyinqumile ngokwakhe nje; wenzela abantwana bakwa-Israyeli umkhosi, wenyukela e-altare ukushisa impepho.

₁Bheka, kwavela kwaJuda umuntu kaNkulunkulu ngezwi likaJehova, weza eBethele; uJerobowamu wayemi e-altare ukushisa impepho. ₂Walibiza i-altare ngezwi likaJehova, wathi: “Altare, altare, usho kanje uJehova, uthi: ‘Bheka, kuzakuzalwa umntwana kuyo indlu kaDavide, nguJosiya igama lakhe; uyakunikela phezu kwakho ngabapristi bezindawo eziphakemeyo abashisa impepho phezu kwakho, bashise namathambo abantu phezu kwakho.’ ” ₃Wabanika isiboniso ngalolo suku, wathi: “Yilesi esiyisiboniso uJehova akhulume ngaso sokuthi: Bheka, i-altare liyakudatshulwa, umlotha ophezu kwalo uchithwe.”

₄Kwathi inkosi isizwile izwi lalowo muntu kaNkulunkulu alibiza ngalo i-altare laseBethele, uJerobowamu waselula isandla sakhe ese-altare, wathi: “Mbambeni.” Kepha isandla sakhe aselulela kuye sashwabana, akaba namandla okusibuyisela kuye. ₅I-altare ladabuka, umlotha we-altare wachitheka e-altare njengesiboniso asinikile lowo muntu kaNkulunkulu ngezwi likaJehova.

₆Inkosi yayisithatha yathi kulowo muntu kaNkulunkulu: “Ake unxuse phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wakho, ungikhulekele ukuba isandla sami siphiliswe.” Lowo muntu kaNkulunkulu wanxusa kuJehova, saphiliswa isandla sakhe, saba njengakuqala.

₇Yayisithi inkosi kulowo muntu kaNkulunkulu: “Woza siye ekhaya, uzihlumelele, ngikuphe isipho.”

₈Kepha lowo muntu kaNkulunkulu wathi enkosini: “Noma unginika inxenye yendlu yakho, angiyikuya khona nawe; futhi angiyikudla isinkwa, ngiphuze amanzi kuleyo ndawo; ₉ngokuba ngayalwa kanjalo ngezwi likaJehova ngokuthi: ‘Awuyikudla sinkwa, ungaphuzi manzi, ungabuyi ngendlela oze ngayo.’ ” ₁₀Wayesehamba ngenye indlela, kabuyanga ngendlela abeze ngayo eBethele.

₁₁Kwakuhlala eBethele umprofethi omdala. Amadodana akhe afika amtshela yonke imisebenzi lowo muntu kaNkulunkulu abeyenzile ngalolo suku eBethele, namazwi abewakhulumile enkosini. Uyise esetsheliwe, ₁₂uyise wathi kuwo: “Uhambe ngayiphi indlela na?” Amadodana ayebonile ukuthi uhambe ngayiphi indlela lowo muntu kaNkulunkulu owavela kwaJuda. ₁₃Wayesethi kumadodana akhe: “Ngibopheleni imbongolo.” Ambophela-ke imbongolo, wayikhwela. ₁₄Wamlandela lowo muntu kaNkulunkulu, wamfumana ehlezi phansi kwe-oki;* wathi kuye: “Wena ungumuntu kaNkulunkulu lowo owavela kwaJuda na?”

Wathi: “Nginguye.”

₁₅Wayesethi kuye: “Woza siye ekhaya, uthole ukudla.”

₁₆Kepha wathi: “Anginakubuya nawe, anginakungena kwakho nawe; futhi anginakudla isinkwa, ngiphuze amanzi nawe kuleyo ndawo, ₁₇ngokuba kwathiwa kimi ngezwi likaJehova: ‘Awuyikudla sinkwa, ungaphuzi manzi khona, ungabuyi ngendlela oze ngayo.’ ”

₁₈Wayesethi kuye: “Nami ngingumprofethi njengawe; kwakhuluma kimi ingelosi ngezwi likaJehova ngokuthi: ‘Mbuyise, uye naye endlini yakho ukuba athole ukudla, aphuze amanzi.’ ” Kodwa waqamba amanga kuye. ₁₉Wayesebuya-ke naye, wadla endlini yakhe, waphuza amanzi.

₂₀Kwathi besahlezi etafuleni, izwi likaJehova lafika kumprofethi owambuyisa; ₂₁wamemeza kulowo muntu kaNkulunkulu owavela kwaJuda, wathi: “Usho kanje uJehova, uthi: ‘Njengokuba ungalilalelanga izwi likaJehova, ungagcinanga umyalo uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho akuyala ngawo, ₂₂kepha ubuyile, wadla, waphuza amanzi endaweni athi ngayo kuwe ungadli sinkwa, ungaphuzi manzi, isidumbu sakho asiyikungeniswa ethuneni lawoyihlo.’ ”

₂₃Kwathi esedlile, esephuzile, wambophelela imbongolo yena lowo mprofethi abembuyisile. ₂₄Esehambile waficwa yingonyama endleleni, yambulala; isidumbu sakhe santshingwa endleleni, imbongolo yema eceleni kwaso, nengonyama yema ngasesidunjini. ₂₅Bheka, abantu badlula, babona isidumbu sintshingwe endleleni nengonyama imi eceleni kwesidumbu, bafika bakhuluma ngakho emzini ayehlala kuwo lowo mprofethi omdala.

₂₆Esezwile lokho umprofethi obembuyisile endlelni wathi: “Ngumuntu kaNkulunkulu lowo owayengalaleli izwi likaJehova; ngalokho uJehova umnikele kuyo ingonyama, yamdwengula; yambulala njengezwi likaJehova alikhuluma kuye.”

₂₇Wayesekhuluma kumadodana akhe, ethi: “Ngibopheleleni imbongolo.” Ayibophela. ₂₈Wahamba, wafumana isidumbu sakhe sintshingwe endleleni, imbongolo nengonyama zimi eceleni kwesidumbu; ingonyama ayidlanga isidumbu, ayidwengulanga nembongolo. ₂₉Umprofethi wasiphakamisa isidumbu salowo muntu kaNkulunkulu, wasibeka embongolweni, wasibuyisa; wafika emzini womprofethi omdala ukuba alile, ammbele. ₃₀Wasibeka isidumbu ethuneni lakhe; bamlilela bathi: “Maye, mfowethu!”

₃₁Kwathi esemmbele, wakhuluma kumadodana akhe, wathi: “Lapho sengifile, ngimbeleni ethuneni embelwe kulo lowo muntu kaNkulunkulu, nibeke amathambo ami eceleni kwamathambo akhe. ₃₂Ngokuba izwi alimemezayo ngokusho kukaJehova kulo i-altare laseBethele nakuzo zonke izindlu zezindawo eziphakemeyo ezisemizini yaseSamariya liyakwenzeka nokwenzeka.”

₃₃Emva kwalokho uJerobowamu akaphendukanga nokho endleleni yakhe embi, kepha wabuye wenza abapristi bezindawo eziphakemeyo ngeningi labantu; othandayo wahlukaniselwa, wabangumpristi wendawo ephakemeyo. ₃₄Leyo nto yaba yisono kuyo indlu kaJerobowamu ngangokuba inqunywe, ichithwe ebusweni bomhlaba.

₁Ngaleso sikhathi u-Abiya indodana kaJerobowamu wagula. ₂UJerobowamu wathi kumkakhe: “Ake usuke uzifihle, ukuze kungaziwa ukuthi wena ungumkaJerobowamu, uye eShilo; bheka, u-Ahiya umprofethi ulapho, yena owakhuluma ngami ukuthi ngiyakuba yinkosi phezu kwalaba bantu. ₃Uphathe ngesandla sakho izinkwa eziyishumi, nemiqathane, nophiso lwezinyosi, uye kuye; uyakukutshela ukuthi kuzakuba njani kumntwana.” ₄UmkaJerobowamu wenze njalo; wasuka, waya eShilo, wafika endlini ka-Ahiya.

U-Ahiya wayengenakubona, ngokuba amehlo akhe ayequndekile ngenxa yobudala bakhe. ₅UJehova wayeshilo ku-Ahiya, ethi: “Bheka, umkaJerobowamu uyeza ukubuza kuwe ngendodana yakhe, ngokuba iyagula; womphendula ngokuthi nangokuthi, ngokuba kuyakuthi ekungeneni kwakhe azishaye omunye umuntu.”

₆Kwathi lapho u-Ahiya ezwa izigqi zezinyawo zakhe ekungeneni kwakhe emnyango, wathi: “Ngena, mkaJerobowamu; uzishayelani omunye; mina ngithunyiwe kuwe nginendaba elukhuni. ₇Hamba umtshele uJerobowamu ukuthi: ‘UJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli usho kanje, uthi: Njengokuba ngakuphakamisa phakathi kwabantu, ngakubeka ube ngumbusi wabantu bami u-Israyeli, ₈ngawuhlwitha umbuso endlini kaDavide, ngawunika wena, kepha awubanga njengenceku yami uDavide owagcina imiyalo yami nowangilandela ngayo yonke inhliziyo yakhe ukwenza okulungile emehlweni ami kuphela, ₉kodwa wenzile okubi kunabo bonke ababe phambi kwakho, wahamba wazenzela abanye onkulunkulu nezithombe ezibunjiweyo ukungivusa ukuba ngithukuthele, wangilahla nyovane, ₁₀bheka, ngalokho ngiyakwehlisela indlu kaJerobowamu okubi, nginqume kuJerobowamu wonke umlisa, omncane nomkhulu kwa-Israyeli, ngikhukhule indlu kaJerobowamu njengokukhukhulwa komquba, uze uphele. ₁₁Yena wakwaJerobowamu ofela emzini uyakudliwa yizinja, nofela endle uyakudliwa yizinyoni zezulu, ngokuba uJehova ukukhulumile.’

₁₂“Ngalokho suka uye endlini yakho; ekungeneni kwezinyawo zakho emzini uyakufa umntwana. ₁₃Wonke u-Israyeli uyakumlilela, ammbele, ngokuba nguyena yedwa wakwaJerobowamu oyakuya ethuneni, lokhu kufunyanwa kuye okuhle kuJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli endlini kaJerobowamu.

₁₄“Futhi uJehova uyakuzivusela inkosi phezu kuka-Israyeli eyakunquma indlu kaJerobowamu ngalolo suku. Kepha ngithini? Yebo, namanje. ₁₅Ngokuba uJehova uyakushaya u-Israyeli njengohlanga oluzanyazanyiswa emanzini, asiphule u-Israyeli kuleli zwe elihle alinika oyise, abahlakazele ngaphesheya koMfula,* lokhu benzile o-Ashera* babo, bathukuthelisa uJehova. ₁₆Uyakulahla u-Israyeli ngenxa yezono zikaJerobowamu one ngazo, futhi onisa ngazo u-Israyeli.”

₁₇UmkaJerobowamu wayesesuka wahamba, wafika eTirisa; esefike embundwini wendlu, umntwana wafa. ₁₈Wonke u-Israyeli wammbela, wamlilela njengezwi likaJehova alikhulumayo ngesandla senceku yakhe u-Ahiya umprofethi.

₁₉Ezinye izindaba zikaJerobowamu, ukuthi walwa kanjani nokuthi wabusa kanjani, bheka, zilotshiwe encwadini yezindaba zemihla ngemihla yamakhosi akwa-Israyeli. ₂₀Izinsuku zokubusa kukaJerobowamu zaziyiminyaka engamashumi amabili nambili; wayeselala koyise; uNadabi indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

₂₁URehobowamu indodana kaSolomoni wabusa kwaJuda. URehobowamu wayeneminyaka engamashumi amane nanye ekuqaleni kwakhe ukubusa, wabusa iminyaka eyishumi nesikhombisa eJerusalema, umuzi awukhethileyo uJehova ezizweni zonke zakwa-Israyeli ukuba abeke khona igama lakhe; igama likanina lalinguNahama wabakwa-Amoni.

₂₂UJuda wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova, bamvusela umhawu naphezu kwakho konke ababekwenzile oyise ngezono zabo abazenzayo. ₂₃Nabo bazakhela izindawo eziphakemeyo, nezinsika, nawo-Ashera* emagqumeni onke aphakemeyo naphansi kwemithi yonke eluhlaza. ₂₄Kwakukhona nezifebe zethempeli kulelo zwe; benza njengazo zonke izinengiso zabezizwe uJehova abaxosha phambi kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli.

₂₅Kwathi ngomnyaka wesihlanu wenkosi uRehobowamu, uShishaki inkosi yaseGibithe wenyukela eJerusalema. ₂₆Wathatha ingcebo yendlu kaJehova nengcebo yendlu yenkosi, yebo, wathatha konke, wathatha zonke izihlangu zegolide ezenziwe nguSolomoni. ₂₇Inkosi uRehobowamu yenza izihlangu zethusi esikhundleni sazo, yazinikela ezandleni zezinduna zabalindi abagcina umnyango wendlu yenkosi. ₂₈Kwathi njalo uma inkosi ingena endlini kaJehova, izigijimi zazithwala, zazibuyisela ekamelweni labalindi.

₂₉Ezinye izindaba zikaRehobowamu nakho konke akwenzayo angithi kulotshiwe encwadini yezindaba zemihla ngemihla yamakhosi akwa-Israyeli na? ₃₀Kwakukhona njalo ukulwa phakathi kukaRehobowamu noJerobowamu. ₃₁URehobowamu wayeselala koyise, wembelwa koyise emzini kaDavide; igama likanina lalinguNahama wabakwa-Amoni. U-Abiyamu indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

₁Ngomnyaka weshumi nesishiyagalombili wenkosi uJerobowamu indodana kaNebati u-Abiyamu waba yinkosi kwaJuda. ₂Wabusa iminyaka emithathu eJerusalema; igama likanina lalinguMahakha, indodakazi ka-Abisalomu.

₃Wahamba ezonweni zonke zikayise ayezenzile ngaphambi kwakhe; inhliziyo yakhe yayingekho kuNkulunkulu wakhe ngokupheleleyo njengenhliziyo kaDavide uyise. ₄Nokho ngenxa kaDavide uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe wamnika isibani eJerusalema ngokuvusa indodana yakhe emva kwakhe nokumisa iJerusalema, ₅ngokuba uDavide wenza okulungile emehlweni kaJehova, kaphambukanga ngalutho amyala ngalo zonke izinsuku zokuhamba kwakhe, kuphela endabeni ka-Uriya umHeti.

₆Kwakukhona ukulwa phakathi kukaRehobowamu noJerobowamu zonke izinsuku zokuhamba kwakhe.

₇Ezinye izindaba zika-Abiyamu nakho konke akwenzayo angithi kulotshiwe encwadini yezindaba zemihla ngemihla yamakhosi akwaJuda na? Kwakukhona ukulwa phakathi kuka-Abiyamu noJerobowamu. ₈U-Abiyamu wayeselala koyise; bammbela emzini kaDavide; u-Asa indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

₉Ngomnyaka wamashumi amabili kaJerobowamu, inkosi yakwa-Israyeli, u-Asa waqala ukubusa phezu kukaJuda. ₁₀Wabusa iminyaka engamashumi amane nanye eJerusalema; igama likanina lalinguMahakha indodakazi ka-Abisalomu.

₁₁U-Asa wenza okulungile emehlweni kaJehova njengoDavide uyise. ₁₂Waxosha izifebe zethempeli ezweni, wasusa nezithombe ayezenzile uyise. ₁₃Wamsusa uMahakha unina ebukhosikazini, ngokuba wayenzela u-Ashera* isithombe esinengekayo; u-Asa wanquma isithombe sakhe, wasishisa ngasemfudlaneni iKidroni. ₁₄Kodwa izindawo eziphakemeyo azisuswanga; nokho inhliziyo ka-Asa yayikuJehova ngokupheleleyo zonke izinsuku zakhe. ₁₅Wangenisa endlini kaJehova izinto ezingcwele zikayise nezinto zakhe ezingcwele: isiliva, negolide, nezitsha.

₁₆Kwakukhona ukulwa phakathi kuka-Asa noBahasha inkosi yakwa-Israyeli zonke izinsuku zabo. ₁₇UBahasha inkosi yakwa-Israyeli wenyuka ukuhlasela uJuda, wakha iRama, ukuze angavumeli muntu ukuphuma nokungena ku-Asa inkosi yakwaJuda.

₁₈U-Asa wayesethatha lonke isiliva negolide elalisele engcebeni yendlu kaJehova nengcebo yendlu yenkosi, wakunikela ezandleni zezinceku zakhe; inkosi u-Asa yazithuma kuBeni Hadadi indodana kaTabirimoni kaHeziyoni, inkosi yase-Aramu, owayehlala eDamaseku, yathi: ₁₉“Kukhona isivumelwano phakathi kwami nawe naphakathi kukababa noyihlo; bheka, ngithuma kuwe isipho sesiliva negolide; hamba waphule isivumelwano sakho noBahasha inkosi yakwa-Israyeli ukuba asuke kimi.”

₂₀UBeni Hadadi wayilalela inkosi u-Asa, wathuma izinduna zempi yakhe ukuba zihlasele imizi yakwa-Israyeli, wanqoba i-Ijoni, neDani, ne-Abela Beti Mahakha, nalo lonke iKineroti, kanye nalo lonke izwe lakwaNafetali. ₂₁Kwathi lapho uBahasha esekuzwile lokho, wayeka ukwakha iRama, wahlala eTirisa. ₂₂Inkosi u-Asa yayisibiza wonke uJuda, akwababikho owayenokuzilandulela, basusa amatshe aseRama nemithi yalo uBahasha ayakhe ngakho; inkosi u-Asa yakha ngakho iGeba lakwaBenjamini neMispa.

₂₃Zonke ezinye izindaba zika-Asa, nawo onke amandla akhe, nakho konke akwenzayo, nemizi ayakhayo, angithi kulotshiwe encwadini yezindaba zemihla ngemihla yamakhosi akwaJuda na? Ngesikhathi sobudala bakhe wayenesifo ezinyaweni zakhe. ₂₄Wayeselala u-Asa koyise, wembelwa koyise emzini kaDavide uyise; uJehoshafati indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

₂₅UNadabi indodana kaJerobowamu waqala ukubusa phezu kuka-Israyeli ngomnyaka wesibili ka-Asa inkosi yakwaJuda, wabusa phezu kuka-Israyeli iminyaka emibili. ₂₆Wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova, wahamba endleleni kayise nasesonweni sakhe onisa ngaso u-Israyeli.

₂₇UBahasha indodana ka-Ahiya wendlu ka-Isakare wamenzela ugobe; uBahasha wamnqoba eGibethoni elingelamaFilisti, ngokuba uNadabi naye wonke u-Israyeli babelivimbezela iGibethoni. ₂₈Ngomnyaka wesithathu ka-Asa inkosi yakwaJuda uBahasha wambulala, wabusa esikhundleni sakhe.

₂₉Kwathi eseyinkosi, wabulala yonke indlu kaJerobowamu, kashiyelanga uJerobowamu noyedwa ophefumulayo, waze wamqothula njengezwi uJehova alikhulumile ngesandla senceku yakhe u-Ahiya waseShilo, ₃₀ngenxa yezono zikaJerobowamu ona ngazo, futhi onisa ngazo u-Israyeli, ngokucunula kwakhe acunula ngakho uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.

₃₁Ezinye izindaba zikaNadabi nakho konke akwenzayo angithi kulotshiwe encwadini yezindaba zemihla ngemihla yamakhosi akwa-Israyeli na? ₃₂Kwakukhona ukulwa phakathi kuka-Asa noBahasha inkosi yakwa-Israyeli zonke izinsuku zabo.

₃₃Ngomnyaka wesithathu ka-Asa inkosi yakwaJuda uBahasha indodana ka-Ahiya waqala ukubusa phezu kuka-Israyeli wonke eTirisa, wabusa iminyaka engamashumi amabili nane. ₃₄Wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova, wahamba endleleni kaJerobowamu nasesonweni sakhe onisa ngaso u-Israyeli.