To The Word – Day 68

₁USamsoni waya eGaza; wabona lapho isifebe, wangena kuso. ₂Kwathiwa kumaGaza: “USamsoni ufikile lapha.” Bamhaqa, bamqamekela ubusuku bonke esangweni lomuzi; bathula ubusuku bonke, bathi: “Makube sekukhanyeni kokusa; khona siyakumbulala.”

₃USamsoni walala kwaze kwaba phakathi kwamabili; wavuka phakathi kobusuku, wabamba izivalo zesango lomuzi nezinsika zombili, wazincothula kanye nomgoqo, wazibeka emahlombe akhe, wazikhuphulela esiqongweni sentaba ephambi kweHebroni.

₄Kwathi ngasemuva wathanda owesifazane esiGodini saseSoreki ogama lakhe lalinguDelila. ₅Amakhosi amaFilisti enyukela kuye, athi kuye: “Myenge, ubone ukuthi amandla akhe amakhulu aphi nokuthi singamahlula ngani ukuba simbophe, simnqobe; siyakukunika, kube yilowo nalowo, izinhlamvu eziyinkulungwane nekhulu zesiliva.”

₆UDelila wathi kuSamsoni: “Ake ungitshele ukuthi amandla akho amakhulu aphi nokuthi ungaboshwa ngani, unqotshwe.”

₇USamsoni wathi kuye: “Uma bengibopha ngezinsinga eziyisikhombisa ezimanzi ezingakomi, ngiyakuba buthakathaka, ngibe njengomunye umuntu.”

₈Amakhosi amaFilisti ayeseletha kuye izinsinga eziyisikhombisa ezimanzi ezingakomi, wambopha ngazo. ₉Wayenabaqamekeli behlezi ekamelweni eliphakathi. Wayesethi kuye: “AmaFilisti aphezu kwakho, Samsoni.” Wayesegqabula izinsinga njengentambo yefilakisi* igqatshulwa, lapho izwa umlilo. Ngalokho amandla akhe awaziwanga.

₁₀Wayesethi uDelila kuSamsoni: “Bheka, udlale ngami, wangitshela amanga; ake ungitshele manje ukuthi ungaboshwa ngani.”

₁₁Wathi kuye: “Uma bengibopha ngamagoda amasha okungasetshenziwanga ngawo, ngiyakuba buthakathaka, ngibe njengomunye umuntu.”

₁₂UDelila wayesethatha amagoda amasha, wambopha ngawo, wathi kuye: “AmaFilisti aphezu kwakho, Samsoni.” Abaqamekeli babehlezi ekamelweni eliphakathi. Wawagqabula ezingalweni zakhe njengomucwana.

₁₃UDelila wayesethi kuSamsoni: “Kuze kube manje udlale ngami, wangitshela amanga; ngitshele ukuthi ungaboshwa ngani.”

Wathi kuye: “Uma weluka amagoda ayisikhombisa ekhanda lami nezintambo zakho zokwelukwa.”

₁₄Wawabethela-ke ngesikhonkwane, wathi kuye: “AmaFilisti aphezu kwakho, Samsoni.” Wavuka ebuthongweni, wasincothula isikhonkwane sokweluka nezintambo zokwelukwa.

₁₅Wayesethi kuye: “Ungasho kanjani ukuthi uyangithanda, nxa inhliziyo yakho ingenami na? Usudlale ngami kathathu, awungitshelanga ukuthi amandla akho aphi.” ₁₆Kwathi lapho emcindezela yonke imihla ngamazwi akhe, emgqugquza, wakhathazeka umphefumulo wakhe kwaze kwaba sekufeni.

₁₇Wamtshela inhliziyo yakhe yonke, wathi kuye: “Akuthintanga mpuco ekhanda lami, ngokuba bengingumNaziri* kaNkulunkulu kwasesizalweni sikamame; uma ngiphuculwa, amandla ami ayakumuka kimi, ngiyakuba buthakathaka, ngibe njengomunye umuntu.”

₁₈UDelila wabona ukuthi wayemtshelile yonke inhliziyo yakhe; wathuma wawabiza amakhosi amaFilisti, wathi: “Yenyukani kalokhu, ngokuba ungitshelile yonke inhliziyo yakhe.” Ayesenyukela kuye amakhosi amaFilisti, aletha imali esandleni sawo. ₁₉Wamlalisa ubuthongo emathangeni akhe, wabiza umuntu, waphucula amagoda ayisikhombisa ekhanda lakhe; waqala ukumhlupha, amandla akhe amuka kuye.

₂₀Wathi: “AmaFilisti aphezu kwakho, Samsoni.”

Wavuka ebuthongweni, wathi: “Ngiyakuphuma njengangezinye izikhathi, ngizithintithe.” Kepha wayengazi ukuthi uJehova wayemukile kuye.

₂₁AmaFilisti ambamba, awakhipha amehlo akhe; amehlisela eGaza, ambopha ngamaketanga; wasila etilongweni. ₂₂Nokho izinwele zekhanda lakhe zaqala ukuhluma futhi esephuculiwe.

₂₃Amakhosi amaFilisti abuthana ukuba ahlabele uDagoni unkulunkulu wawo umhlatshelo omkhulu, athokoze, ngokuba athi: “Unkulunkulu wethu unikele uSamsoni isitha sethu esandleni sethu.”

₂₄Abantu bambona, bamtusa unkulunkulu wabo, ngokuba bathi: “Unkulunkulu wethu unikele esandleni sethu isitha sethu nomchithi wezwe lakithi obulele abaningi phakathi kwethu.”

₂₅Kwathi lapho izinhliziyo zabo sezesasile, bathi: “Mbizeni uSamsoni ukuba asidlalele.” Bambiza uSamsoni esetilongweni, wadlala phambi kwabo, bambeka phakathi kwezinsika. ₂₆USamsoni wathi kumfana owayembambe ngesandla: “Ngivumele ukuphatha izinsika indlu emi ngazo ukuba ngencike kuzo.” ₂₇Indlu yayigcwele abesilisa nabesifazane; namakhosi onke amaFilisti ayelapho; ophahleni kwakukhona abantu kungathi abayizinkulungwane ezintathu, abesilisa nabesifazane, ababebukela ukudlala kukaSamsoni. ₂₈USamsoni wakhala kuJehova, wathi: “Nkosi Nkulunkulu, ake ungikhumbule, ungiqinise kube kanye kuphela, Nkulunkulu, ukuba ngiphindise kumaFilisti ngempindiselo ibenye ngenxa yamehlo ami omabili.” ₂₉USamsoni wayesebamba izinsika ezimbili eziphakathi eyayimi ngazo indlu, wencika kuzo, kwenye ngesandla sokunene, kwenye ngesokhohlo. ₃₀USamsoni wathi: “Mangife namaFilisti.” Wakhothama ngamandla akhe onke, indlu yawela phezu kwamakhosi naphezu kwabo bonke abantu ababe kuyo. Abafileyo ababulalayo ekufeni kwakhe babebaningi kunabo ababulalayo ekuhambeni kwakhe.

₃₁Base behla abafowabo nayo yonke indlu kayise, bamthatha, bamenyusa, bammbela phakathi kweSora ne-Eshitawoli ethuneni likaManowa uyise. Wamahlulela u-Israyeli iminyaka engamashumi amabili.

₁Kwakukhona umuntu wasezintabeni zakwa-Efrayimi ogama lakhe lalinguMika. ₂Yena wathi kunina: “Lezo zinhlamvu eziyinkulungwane nekhulu zesiliva ezathathwa kuwe, owaziqalekisa, wakhuluma ngazo ezindlebeni zami, bheka, leyo mali ikimi; ngayithatha.”

Unina wathi: “Mayibusiswe nguJehova indodana yami.”

₃Wabuyisela kunina lezo zinhlamvu eziyinkulungwane nekhulu zesiliva; unina wathi: “Ngiyangcwelisa impela leli siliva kuJehova esandleni sami, libe ngelendodana yami ukuba kwenziwe isithombe esibaziweyo nesibunjiweyo; manje ngiyakulibuyisela kuwe.”

₄Kepha walibuyisela isiliva kunina, unina wathatha izinhlamvu ezingamakhulu amabili zesiliva, wazinika umkhandi wesiliva owenza ngazo isithombe esibaziweyo nesibunjiweyo; zase zihlala endlini kaMika.

₅Lowo muntu uMika wayenendlu enawonkulunkulu, wenza ingubo yamahlombe namatherafi,* wahlukanisela enye indodana yakhe ibe ngumpristi wakhe. ₆Ngalezo zinsuku kwakungekho nkosi kwa-Israyeli; yilowo nalowo wenza okulungile emehlweni akhe.

₇Kwakukhona insizwa yaseBetlehema Juda yomndeni wakwaJuda eyayingumLevi; yayigogobele khona. ₈Lowo muntu wamuka emzini, iBetlehema Juda, ukuyobona lapho engathola khona indawo; ekuhambeni kwakhe wafika ezintabeni zakwa-Efrayimi endlini kaMika.

₉UMika wathi kuye: “Uvelaphi na?”

Wathi kuye: “NgingumLevi waseBetlehema Juda; ngiyahamba ukubona lapho ngingathola khona indawo.”

₁₀UMika wayesethi kuye: “Hlala kimi, ube ngubaba nompristi wami, ngiyakukunika izinhlamvu eziyishumi zesiliva ngomnyaka, nesambatho, nokudla kwakho.” UmLevi wangena. ₁₁UmLevi wavuma ukuhlala kulowo muntu; nensizwa yaba kuye njengendodana yakhe. ₁₂UMika wayesahlukanisela umLevi, leyo nsizwa yaba ngumpristi wakhe, yahlala endlini kaMika. ₁₃Wayesethi uMika: “Manje sengiyazi ukuthi uJehova uyakungenzela okuhle, lokhu nginomLevi ongumpristi wami.”

₁Ngalezo zinsuku kwakungekho nkosi kwa-Israyeli; ngalezo zinsuku isizwe sakwaDani sazifunela ifa lokuhlala, ngokuba kuze kube ngalolo suku babengabelwanga ifa phakathi kwezizwe zakwa-Israyeli. ₂Abantwana bakwaDani bathuma abantu abayisihlanu bomndeni wabo, bephuma kuso sonke isizwe sabo, amaqhawe, beseSora nase-Eshitawoli, ukuba bahlole izwe, balicinge; bathi kubo: “Hambani, nilicinge izwe,” bafika ezintabeni zakwa-Efrayimi endlini kaMika, bahlala khona. ₃Lapha besengasendlini kaMika, balazi izwi lensizwa engumLevi, baphambukela khona, bathi kuye: “Walethwa ngubani lapha? Wenzani kule ndawo? Ufunani lapha?”

₄Wathi kubo: “UMika ungenzele ukuthi nokuthi; ungiqashile ngaba ngumpristi wakhe.”

₅Base bethi kuye: “Ake umbuze uNkulunkulu ukuze sazi uma indlela yethu esiyihambayo iyakuba nempumelelo.”

₆Umpristi wathi kubo: “Hambani nokuthula; indlela eniyihambayo iphambi kukaJehova.”

₇Base bemuka labo bantu abayisihlanu, bafika eLayishi, babona abantu abakulo ukuthi basahlala belondekile ngendlela yamaSidoni, benokuthula, bengenaluvalo, ngokuba kwakungekho ezweni onamandla ukuba abajabhise ngalutho; babekude namaSidoni, bengenandaba nabanye abantu.

₈Babuye bafika kubafowabo eSora nase-Eshitawoli; abafowabo bathi kubo: “Nithini na?”

₉Bathi: “Sukani, senyukele kubo, ngokuba silibonile izwe; bhekani, lihle kakhulu; niyathula yini? Ningenqeni ukuhamba, ningene ukuba nilidle izwe. ₁₀Nxa nihamba, niyakufika kubantu abalondekileyo, izwe libanzi, ngokuba uNkulunkulu ulinikele esandleni senu, indawo lapho kungekho khona ukuswela lutho olusemhlabeni.”

₁₁Kwase kuphuma lapho kumndeni wakwaDani eSora nase-Eshitawoli abantu abangamakhulu ayisithupha bebhincile izikhali zokulwa. ₁₂Benyuka, bamisa eKiriyati Jeharimi kwaJuda; ngalokho bayibiza leyo ndawo ngokuthi iMahane Dani kuze kube namuhla; bheka, lingasemva kweKiriyati Jeharimi. ₁₃Basuka khona, baya ezintabeni zakwa-Efrayimi, bafika endlini kaMika.

₁₄Abantu abayisihlanu ababeyile ukuhlola izwe laseLayishi base bephendula, bathi kubafowabo: “Niyazi yini ukuthi kukhona kulezi zindlu ingubo yamahlombe, namatherafi,* nesithombe esibaziweyo, nesithombe esibunjiweyo na? Ngalokho cabangani manje ukuthi niyakwenzani.” ₁₅Baphambuka khona, bafika endlini yensizwa yomLevi, endlini kaMika, bayibuza impilo. ₁₆Abantu abangamakhulu ayisithupha bebhince izikhali zokulwa abangabantwana bakwaDani bema ngasesikhaleni sesango. ₁₇Abantu abayisihlanu ababeyile ukuhlola izwe benyuka, bafika lapho, basithatha isithombe esibaziweyo, nengubo yamahlombe, namatherafi, nesithombe esibunjiweyo; umpristi wema ngasesikhaleni sesango kanye nabantu abangamakhulu ayisithupha bebhince izikhali zokulwa.

₁₈Labo sebengenile endlini kaMika basithatha isithombe esibaziweyo, nengubo yamahlombe, namatherafi, nesithombe esibunjiweyo; umpristi wathi kubo: “Nenzani na?”

₁₉Bathi kuye: “Thula, ubeke isandla sakho emlonyeni wakho, uhambe nathi, ube ngubaba nompristi wethu; kuhle yini ukuba ube ngumpristi wendlu yomuntu munye kunokuba ube ngumpristi wesizwe nomndeni kwa-Israyeli na?” ₂₀Yayisithokoza inhliziyo yompristi, wayithatha ingubo yamahlombe, namatherafi, nesithombe esibaziweyo, wangena phakathi kwabantu. ₂₁Baphenduka, bamuka, babeka izingane, nezinkomo, nempahla phambi kwabo.

₂₂Sebekude nendlu kaMika abantu abasezindlini eziseduze nendlu kaMika babuthana, babafica abantwana bakwaDani. ₂₃Bamemeza kubantwana bakwaDani, baphenduka, bathi kuMika: “Yini ukuba ufike nesixuku na?”

₂₄Wathi: “Nithathile onkulunkulu bami engabenzayo, nompristi, namuka; ngisenani na? Nisholoni kimi ukuthi: ‘Yini na?’ ”

₂₅Abantwana bakwaDani base bethi kuye: “Izwi lakho malingezwakali phakathi kwethu, funa abantu bathukuthele, banehlele, ulahlekelwe ngukuphila kwakho kanye nabendlu yakho.” ₂₆Bahamba abantwana bakwaDani; uMika esebonile ukuthi banamandla kunaye, waphenduka, wabuyela endlini yakhe.

₂₇Bathatha abekwenzile uMika nompristi wakhe, bafika eLayishi kubantu abanokuthula belondekile, bababulala ngosiko lwenkemba; bashisa umuzi ngomlilo. ₂₈Kwakungekho owophulayo, ngokuba wawukude neSidoni; babengenandaba nabanye abantu; wawusesigodini esingaseBeti Rehobe. Bawakha umuzi, bahlala kuwo. ₂₉Baqamba igama lomuzi ngokuthi uDani ngegama likaDani uyise owazalelwa u-Israyeli; kepha igama lomuzi laliyiLayishi kuqala. ₃₀Abantwana bakwaDani bazimisela isithombe esibaziweyo; uJonathani indodana kaGereshomu kaMose yena namadodana akhe babe ngabapristi besizwe sakwaDani kwaze kwaba ngosuku lokuthunjwa kwezwe. ₃₁Base bemisa isithombe esibaziweyo sikaMika abesenzile sonke isikhathi indlu kaNkulunkulu iseShilo.

₁Kwathi ngalezo zinsuku kungekho inkosi kwa-Israyeli, kwakukhona umLevi othile owayegogobele ohlangothini olungasemuva kwezintaba zakwa-Efrayimi, owazithathela isancinza eBetlehema Juda. ₂Isancinza sakhe samgilela ubufebe, sasuka kuye, saya endlini kayise eBetlehema Juda, sahlala khona isikhathi esiyizinyanga ezine. ₃Umyeni waso wasuka, wasilandela ukuba akhulume kuyo inhliziyo yaso, asibuyise, enenceku yakhe nezimbongolo ezimbili; samngenisa endlini kayise; lapho uyise wentombi embona, wathokoza ukuhlangana naye. ₄Umukhwe wakhe, uyise wentombi, wambambezela, wahlala kuye izinsuku ezintathu; badla, baphuza, bahlala khona.

₅Kwathi ngosuku lwesine bavuka ekuseni kakhulu, wasuka ukuba ahambe; uyise wentombi wathi kumkhwenyana wakhe: “Hlumelela inhliziyo yakho ngocezu lwesinkwa, andukuba nihambe.” ₆Bahlala phansi, badla, baphuza bobabili kanyekanye; uyise wentombi wathi kuyo indoda: “Ake udele, ulale ubusuku, ithokoze inhliziyo yakho.” ₇Kepha lowo muntu wasukuma nokho ukuba ahambe; wayesemncengisisa umukhwe wakhe, wabuye walala khona. ₈Wavuka ekuseni kakhulu ngosuku lwesihlanu ukuba ahambe; uyise wentombi wathi: “Ake uhlumelele inhliziyo yakho, nihlale lize lithambame ilanga.” Badla-ke bobabili.

₉Lapho umuntu esesukuma ukuba ahambe, yena nesancinza sakhe nenceku yakhe, umukhwe wakhe, uyise wentombi, wathi kuye: “Bheka, ilanga seliyathambama, sekuzakuhlwa; ake uhlale ubusuku bonke; yebo, ilanga seliyakuphela; hlala lapha ukuba inhliziyo yakho ithokoze, nivuke kusasa ekuseni kakhulu, nihambe indlela yenu ukuba ufike etendeni lakho.” ₁₀Kepha akavumanga lowo muntu ukuhlala lobo busuku, kodwa wavuka wahamba, wafika malungana neJebusi eliyiJerusalema; kwakukhona naye izimbongolo ezimbili ziboshelwe izihlalo; nesancinza sakhe sasinaye.

₁₁SebengaseJebusi, ilanga lase lidlulile kakhulu; inceku yathi enkosini yayo: “Ake uze, siphambukele kulo muzi wamaJebusi, sihlale kuwo.”

₁₂Inkosi yayo yathi kuyo: “Asiyikuphambukela emzini wabafokazi ongesiwo owabantwana bakwa-Israyeli, kepha siyakudlulela eGibeya.” ₁₃Yayisithi encekwini: “Woza, sisondele kwenye yalezi zindawo; siyakulala eGibeya noma eRama.” ₁₄Base bethula bahamba; ilanga lashona bengaseGibeya elingelakwaBenjamini. ₁₅Baphambukela lapho ukuba bangene, balale eGibeya; wangena, wahlala phansi esigcawini somuzi; ngokuba kwakungekho muntu owabamukela endlini yakhe ukuba balale khona.

₁₆Bheka, kwafika ixhegu livela emsebenzini walo ensimini kusihlwa; lalingumuntu wasezintabeni zakwa-Efrayimi, lagogobala eGibeya; kepha abantu baleyo ndawo babe ngabakwaBenjamini. ₁₇Waphakamisa amehlo akhe, wabona isihambi esigcawini somuzi; ixhegu lase lithi: “Uyangaphi na? Uvelaphi na?”

₁₈Wathi kulo: “Siyadlula sivela eBetlehema Juda, siya ohlangothini olungasemuva kwezintaba zakwa-Efrayimi; ngivela khona; ngaya eBetlehema Juda; sengiya endlini kaJehova, kepha akukho muntu ongamukela endlini yakhe. ₁₉Kukhona nokho utshani nefoliji* lezimbongolo zethu; mina-ke nginesinkwa newayini, kanjalo nencekukazi yakho nensizwa enathi, izinceku zakho; akusweleke lutho.”

₂₀Lase lithi ixhegu: “Ukuthula makube kuwe; kepha konke okuswelayo makube phezu kwami; kepha ungalali esigcawini.” ₂₁Lase limngenisa endlini yalo, lazinika izimbongolo ifoliji;* bageza izinyawo zabo, badla, baphuza.

₂₂Besajabulisa izinhliziyo zabo, bheka, abantu bomuzi, abantu ababi, bahaqa indlu nxazonke, bangqongqotha emnyango; basho kumninindlu, ixhegu, bathi: “Khipha lowo muntu owangena endlini yakho ukuba simazi.”

₂₃Ixhegu, umninindlu, laphumela kubo, lathi kubo: “Hhayi, bafowethu, ngiyanicela, ningenzi okubi okungako; lokhu lo muntu engenile endlini yami, ningenzi lobu buwula. ₂₄Bhekani, nansi indodakazi yami, intombi, nesancinza sakhe; ngiyakubakhipha bona manje, nibone, nenze kubo njengokuthanda kwenu; kepha kulo muntu ningenzi ubuwula obunjalo.”

₂₅Kepha abantu kabavumanga ukumlalela; khona lowo muntu wasibamba isancinza sakhe, wasikhiphela kubo; basazi, basona ubusuku bonke kwaze kwaba sekuseni; ekuthatheni kokusa basiyeka. ₂₆Owesifazane wayesefika ngovivi lokusa, wawa ngasemnyango wendlu yomuntu, lapho yayikhona inkosi yakhe, kwaze kwakhanya.

₂₇Inkosi yakhe yavuka ekuseni, yavula iminyango yendlu, yaphuma ukuba ihambe indlela yayo; bheka, owesifazane, isancinza sakhe, wayewile ngasemnyango wendlu, izandla zakhe ziphezu kombundu. ₂₈Yathi kuye: “Vuka sihambe,” kepha akuphendulanga muntu. Yayisimbeka embongolweni yayo; wasuka lowo muntu, waya endaweni yakhe.

₂₉Lapho esengenile endlini yakhe, wathatha umese, wabamba isancinza sakhe, wasihlahlela ithambo ngethambo, kwaba yizinqamu eziyishumi nambili, wasithuma emikhawulweni yonke yakwa-Israyeli. ₃₀Kwathi bonke abakubonayo bathi: “Akuzange kwenziwe okunjalo, akuzange kubonwe kusukela osukwini abantwana bakwa-Israyeli abakhuphuka ngalo ezweni laseGibithe kuze kube namuhla; zindlani ngalokho, nilulekane, nikhulume.”

₁Base bephuma bonke abantwana bakwa-Israyeli, inhlangano yahlangana njengomuntu munye, kusukela kwaDani kwaze kwaba seBeri Sheba kanye nezwe lakwaGileyadi kuJehova eMispa. ₂Izinhloko zabantu bonke, izizwe zonke zakwa-Israyeli, zafika ebandleni labantu bakaNkulunkulu, abantu abayimigundatshani; abayizinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amane, abahlome inkemba. ₃Abantwana bakwaBenjamini bezwa ukuthi abantwana bakwa-Israyeli babenyukele eMispa. Bathi abantwana bakwa-Israyeli: “Sitsheleni ukuthi lobu bubi benziwa kanjani na?”

₄UmLevi, umyeni wowesifazane owayebulewe, waphendula wathi: “Ngafika eGibeya lakwaBenjamini, mina nesancinza sami, ukulala khona. ₅Abantu baseGibeya bangivukela, bahaqa indlu nxazonke zami ebusuku; bacabanga ukungibulala mina, nesancinza sami basona; sesifile. ₆Ngase ngithatha isancinza sami, ngasihlahlela, ngasithuma ezweni lonke lefa lakwa-Israyeli, ngokuba babesebenzile ukona nobuwula kwa-Israyeli. ₇Bhekani nina bantwana bakwa-Israyeli, nina nonke; qondisani, niluleke lapha.”

₈Bonke abantu bavuka njengomuntu munye, bathi: “Asiyikuya, sisho namunye etendeni lakhe; asiyikuphambukela sisho namunye endlini yakhe. ₉Kepha nakhu esiyakukwenza eGibeya: Siyakulihlasela ngenkatho, ₁₀sithathe abantu abayishumi ekhulwini kuzo zonke izizwe zakwa-Israyeli, nabayikhulu enkulungwaneni, nabayinkulungwane ezinkulungwaneni eziyishumi, ukuba balande ukudla kwabantu, nalapho sebefike eGibeya lakwaBenjamini benze ngokobuwula ababenzile kwa-Israyeli.” ₁₁Abantu bonke bakwa-Israyeli babehlanganyele umuzi, bebumbene kungathi ngumuntu munye.

₁₂Izizwe zakwa-Israyeli zathuma abantu emindenini yonke yakwaBenjamini, zathi: “Ububi buni lobu obenziwe phakathi kwenu na? ₁₃Ngalokho khiphani labo bantu, abantu ababi, abaseGibeya, ukuba sibabulale, sixoshe ububi kwa-Israyeli.” Kepha uBenjamini kavumanga ukulalela izwi labafowabo, abantwana bakwa-Israyeli. ₁₄Abantwana bakwaBenjamini babuthana eGibeya, bevela emizini, ukuba baphume balwe nabantwana bakwa-Israyeli. ₁₅Abantwana bakwaBenjamini abavela emizini babalwa ngalolo suku baba ngamadoda ayizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amabili nesithupha ahlome inkemba ngaphandle kwabakhileyo eGibeya ababalwa baba ngamakhulu ayisikhombisa, amadoda akhethiweyo. ₁₆Phakathi kwabo bonke labo bantu kwakukhona amadoda angamakhulu ayisikhombisa akhethiweyo angamanxele; onke ayekwazi ukuphonsa amatshe ngisho nasonweleni, engageji.

₁₇Abantu bakwa-Israyeli ngaphandle kukaBenjamini babalwa baba yizinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amane, amadoda ahlome inkemba; bonke labo babe ngamadoda empi.

₁₈Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bavuka, bakhuphukela eBethele, babuza kuNkulunkulu, bathi: “Ngubani oyakusikhuphukelela kuqala ukulwa nabantwana bakwaBenjamini na?”

UJehova wathi: “NguJuda kuqala.”

₁₉Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bavuka ekuseni, bamisa malungana neGibeya. ₂₀Abantu bakwa-Israyeli baphuma ukuba balwe noBenjamini; abantu bakwa-Israyeli bazihlelela ukulwa nabo eGibeya. ₂₁Abantwana bakwaBenjamini baphuma eGibeya, babulala kwabakwa-Israyeli ngalolo suku amadoda ayizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amabili nambili. ₂₂Abantu, amadoda akwa-Israyeli, baziqinisa, babuye bahlela impi endaweni abazihlela kuyo ngosuku lokuqala. ₂₃Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bakhuphuka, bakhala phambi kukaNkulunkulu kwaze kwahlwa; babuza kuJehova, bathi: “Siyakuphinda sisondele ukulwa nabantwana bakwaBenjamini umfowethu na?”

UJehova wathi: “Yenyukelani kuye.”

₂₄Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli basondela kubantwana bakwaBenjamini ngosuku lwesibili. ₂₅UBenjamini waphuma eGibeya ukuhlangabezana nabo ngosuku lwesibili, wabuye wabulala kubantwana bakwa-Israyeli amadoda ayizinkulungwane eziyishumi nesishiyagalombili; bonke labo babehlome inkemba.

₂₆Base bekhuphuka bonke abantwana bakwa-Israyeli, abantu bonke, bafika eBethele, bakhala, bahlala khona phambi kukaJehova, bazila ukudla ngalolo suku kwaze kwahlwa; banikela ngeminikelo yokushiswa nangeminikelo yokuthula phambi kukaJehova. ₂₇Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli babuza kuJehova ngokuba umphongolo wesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu wawulapho ngalezo zinsuku; ₂₈uFinehasi indodana ka-Eleyazare ka-Aroni wema phambi kwawo ngalezo zinsuku bathi: “Siyakuphinda siphume ukuba silwe nabantwana bakwaBenjamini umfowethu, nokuba siyeke na?”

UJehova wathi: “Khuphukani, ngokuba kusasa ngiyakubanikela esandleni sakho.”

₂₉U-Israyeli wabeka abaqamekeli kulo iGibeya nxazonke. ₃₀Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bakhuphuka ukulwa nabantwana bakwaBenjamini ngosuku lwesithathu, bazihlelela ukulwa neGibeya njengakwezinye izikhathi. ₃₁Abantwana bakwaBenjamini baphuma ukulwa nabantu, badonswa, baphuma emzini; baqala ukubulala nokuceka abantu njengakwezinye izikhathi emendweni, omunye okhuphukela eBethele, omunye oya eGibeya ensimini, kungathi amadoda angamashumi amathathu kwa-Israyeli.

₃₂Abantwana bakwaBenjamini bathi: “Babulewe phambi kwethu njengakuqala.”

Kepha abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bathi: “Masibaleke, sibadonse, baphume emzini, baye emendweni.”

₃₃Bonke abantu bakwa-Israyeli basuka endaweni yabo, bazihlela eBali Tamari; abaqamekeli bakwa-Israyeli bavumbuluka endaweni yabo eMare Geba. ₃₄Kweza malungana neGibeya abantu abayizinkulungwane eziyishumi abakhethiweyo kuye wonke u-Israyeli; ukulwa kwakunzima, kepha babengazi ukuthi ingozi isifikile kubo. ₃₅UJehova wanqoba uBenjamini phambi kuka-Israyeli; abantwana bakwa-Israyeli babulala ngalolo suku kwaBenjamini abayizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amabili nanhlanu nekhulu; bonke labo babehlome inkemba. ₃₆Base bebona abantwana bakwaBenjamini ukuthi banqotshiwe; abantu bakwa-Israyeli bamdela uBenjamini lokhu bebebethemba abaqamekeli ababebabekile ngaseGibeya. ₃₇Abaqamekeli bashesha badumela eGibeya; abaqamekeli basuka bachitha umuzi wonke ngosiko lwenkemba. ₃₈Isiboniso esinqunyiweyo phakathi kwabantu bakwa-Israyeli nabaqamekeli sasiyilesi sokuba bathunqise umusi omkhulu wenyuke emzini. ₃₉Abantu bakwa-Israyeli babuyela emuva empini; uBenjamini wayeseqalile ukubulala nokuceka kubantu bakwa-Israyeli kungathi abantu abangamashumi amathathu, ngokuba bathi: “Impela babulewe phambi kwethu njengasekulweni kwakuqala.”

₄₀Kepha lapho sekuqale ukuthunqa insika yomusi emzini, abakwaBenjamini babheka emuva, nanko umuzi wonke uthunqela ngasezulwini. ₄₁Base bephenduka abantu bakwa-Israyeli, nabantu bakwaBenjamini bashaywa luvalo, ngokuba babona ukuthi behlelwe ngububi. ₄₂Ngalokho bafulathela phambi kwabantu bakwa-Israyeli, bahamba ngendlela yasehlane, kepha ukulwa kwabalandela; abaphuma emizini bababulala phakathi kwayo. ₄₃Babahaqa abakwaBenjamini nxazonke, babaxosha, babanyathela phansi endaweni yabo yokuphumula, baze bafika malungana neGibeya ngasempumalanga. ₄₄Kwawa abantu bakwaBenjamini abayizinkulungwane eziyishumi nesishiyagalombili; bonke labo babe ngamaqhawe. ₄₅Baphenduka babalekela ehlane edwaleni lakwaRimoni; bakhothoza kubo emendweni abantu abayizinkulungwane eziyisihlanu, babaxosha kwaze kwabaseGideyomu, babulala kubo abantu abayizinkulungwane ezimbili.

₄₆Bonke abawa ngalolo suku kwaBenjamini babe ngabantu abayizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amabili nanhlanu abahlome inkemba; bonke labo babe ngamaqhawe. ₄₇Kepha abantu abangamakhulu ayisithupha baphenduka, babalekela ehlane edwaleni lakwaRimoni, bahlala edwaleni lakwaRimoni izinyanga ezine. ₄₈Abantu bakwa-Israyeli babuyela kubantwana bakwaBenjamini, bababulala ngosiko lwenkemba ababesaphila emzini, nezinkomo, yebo, konke okwafunyaniswayo; futhi yonke imizi abayifumanisayo bayithungela ngomlilo.

₁Abantu bakwa-Israyeli babefungile eMispa, bethi: “Akuyikubakho muntu oyakunika owakwaBenjamini indodakazi yakhe ibe ngumkakhe.”

₂Abantu base befika eBethele, bahlala khona kwaze kwahlwa phambi kukaNkulunkulu, baphakamisa izwi labo, bakhala kakhulu. ₃Bathi: “Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, lokhu kwenzelweni kwa-Israyeli ukuba kusilale namuhla esinye isizwe sakwa-Israyeli na?”

₄Kwathi ngakusasa abantu bavuka ekuseni, bakha khona i-altare, banikela ngeminikelo yokushiswa neminikelo yokuthula.

₅Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bathi: “Yisiphi phakathi kwazo zonke izizwe zakwa-Israyeli esingakhuphukelanga ebandleni kuJehova na?” Ngokuba bebefungile isifungo esikhulu ngaye ongakhuphukeli kuJehova eMispa ukuthi wobulawa nokubulawa.

₆Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bamhawukela uBenjamini umfowabo, bathi: “Kunqunyiwe namuhla esinye isizwe kwa-Israyeli. ₇Siyakwenze njani ukuba abaseleyo babe nabafazi, lokhu sifungile uJehova ukuthi asiyikubanika amadodakazi ethu abe ngomkabo, na?” ₈Bathi: “Yisiphi kuzo izizwe zakwa-Israyeli esingakhuphukelanga kuJehova eMispa na?” Bheka, akufikanga muntu ekamu* ovela eJabeshi Gileyadi ukuya ebandleni. ₉Sebebalwa abantu; bheka, kwakungekho muntu kwabakhile eJabeshi Gileyadi lapho.

₁₀Inhlangano yathuma khona abantu abayizinkulungwane eziyishumi nambili abangamaqhawe amakhulu, yabayala yathi: “Hambani nibabulale abakhe eJabeshi Gileyadi ngosiko lwenkemba kanye nabesifazane nezingane. ₁₁Yilokhu eniyakukwenza: Niyakuchitha nokuchitha bonke abesilisa nabo bonke abesifazane abake balala nendoda.” ₁₂Bafumana phakathi kwabakhileyo eJabeshi Gileyadi izintombi ezintsha ezingamakhulu amane ezingazanga ndoda ngokulala nayo; baziyisa ekamu* eShilo elisezweni laseKhanani.

₁₃Yonke inhlangano yathuma yakhuluma kubantwana bakwaBenjamini ababesedwaleni lakwaRimoni, yamemezela ukuthula kubo. ₁₄UBenjamini wabuya ngaleso sikhathi; babanika abesifazane ababebasindisile kwabesifazane baseJabeshi Gileyadi; kepha ababanelanga.

₁₅Abantu bamhawukela uBenjamini, ngokuba uJehova wayenze ukwahlukana ezizweni zakwa-Israyeli. ₁₆Amalunga enhlangano ayesethi: “Siyakwenze njani ukuba abaseleyo babe nabafazi, lokhu abesifazane bechithiwe kwaBenjamini, na?” ₁₇Athi: “Nga liba khona ifa labaphunyukileyo bakwaBenjamini, ukuze kungesulwa sizwe kwa-Israyeli. ₁₈Kepha asinakubanika nokho amadodakazi ethu abe ngomkabo, ngokuba abantwana bakwa-Israyeli babefungile bethi: ‘Makaqalekiswe onika owakwaBenjamini umfazi.’ ” ₁₉Athi: “Bheka, kukhona umkhosi kaJehova iminyaka ngeminyaka eShilo elingasenyakatho kwaseBethele ngasempumalanga komendo okhuphuka eBethele uya eShekemi nangaseningizimu kwaseLebona.”

₂₀Abayala abantwana bakwaBenjamini, athi: “Hambani niqamekele ezivinini, ₂₁nibone: bhekani, uma amadodakazi aseShilo ephuma ukusina lapho kusinwa khona, anophuma ezivinini, nizibambele, kube yilowo nalowo umkakhe kuwo amadodakazi aseShilo, niye ezweni lakwaBenjamini. ₂₂Kuyakuthi lapho oyise noma abanewabo befika ukuphikisana nathi, sithi kubo: ‘Sinikeni wona ngomusa, ngokuba asithathanga, kwaba yilowo nalowo umkakhe empini, futhi anibanikanga wona; khona ngabe nitholile icala.’ ”

₂₃Abantwana bakwaBenjamini benze njalo, bazithathela abafazi njengenani labo kwabasinayo, ababaqhwagayo; bahamba, babuyela efeni labo, bakha imizi, bahlala kuyo.

₂₄Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bamuka khona ngaleso sikhathi, yilowo nalowo waya esizweni sakhe nasemndenini wakhe, baphuma lapho, yilowo nalowo waya efeni lakhe.

₂₅Ngalezo zinsuku kwakungekho nkosi kwa-Israyeli; yilowo nalowo wenza okulungile emehlweni akhe.