1Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
2¶ And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;3.3 Chileab: or, Daniel 4And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
6¶ And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
7And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ish-bosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine? 8Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ish-bosheth, and said, Am I a dog’s head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman? 9So do God to Abner, and more also, except, as the LORD hath sworn to David, even so I do to him; 10To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba. 11And he could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him.
12¶ And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
13¶ And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face.3.13 that is: Heb. saying 14And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul’s son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 15And Ish-bosheth sent, and took her from her husband, even from Phaltiel the son of Laish.3.15 Phaltiel: also called, Phalti 16And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.3.16 along…: Heb. going and weeping
17¶ And Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, Ye sought for David in times past to be king over you:3.17 in times…: Heb. both yesterday and the third day 18Now then do it: for the LORD hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies. 19And Abner also spake in the ears of Benjamin: and Abner went also to speak in the ears of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel, and that seemed good to the whole house of Benjamin. 20So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast. 21And Abner said unto David, I will arise and go, and will gather all Israel unto my lord the king, that they may make a league with thee, and that thou mayest reign over all that thine heart desireth. And David sent Abner away; and he went in peace.
22¶ And, behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace. 23When Joab and all the host that was with him were come, they told Joab, saying, Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he hath sent him away, and he is gone in peace. 24Then Joab came to the king, and said, What hast thou done? behold, Abner came unto thee; why is it that thou hast sent him away, and he is quite gone? 25Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest. 26And when Joab was come out from David, he sent messengers after Abner, which brought him again from the well of Sirah: but David knew it not. 27And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.3.27 quietly: or, peaceably
28¶ And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner:3.28 blood: Heb. bloods 29Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.3.29 fail: Heb. be cut off 30So Joab and Abishai his brother slew Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.
31¶ And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.3.31 bier: Heb. bed 32And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. 33And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.3.34 wicked…: Heb. children of iniquity 35And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down. 36And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them: as whatsoever the king did pleased all the people.3.36 pleased them: Heb. was good in their eyes 37For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not of the king to slay Abner the son of Ner. 38And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? 39And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.3.39 weak: Heb. tender
1Nkhondo ya pakati pa banja la Sauli ndi banja la Davide inachitika nthawi yayitali. Mphamvu za Davide zinkakulirakulirabe, pamene banja la Sauli mphamvu zake zimapita zicheperachepera.
2Ana aamuna a Davide amene anabadwira ku Hebroni anali awa: Woyamba anali Amnoni, amayi ake anali Ahinoamu wa ku Yezireeli.
3Mwana wachiwiri anali Kileabu, amayi ake anali Abigayeli mkazi wamasiye wa Nabala wa ku Karimeli.
Wachitatu anali Abisalomu, amayi ake anali Maaka mwana wa Talimai mfumu ya Gesuri;
4wachinayi anali Adoniya, amayi ake anali Hagiti;
wachisanu, Sefatiya amayi ake anali Abitali;
5ndipo wachisanu ndi chimodzi anali Itireamu, amayi ake anali Egila, mkazi wa Davide.
Ana awa a Davide anabadwira ku Hebroni.
Abineri Agwirizana ndi Davide
6Pamene kunali nkhondo pakati pa banja la Sauli ndi banja la Davide, Abineri anayamba kudzipatsa yekha mphamvu pakati pa banja la Sauli. 7Sauli anali ndi mzikazi dzina lake Rizipa mwana wa Ayiwa. Ndipo Isiboseti anati kwa Abineri, “Nʼchifukwa chiyani unagona ndi mzikazi wa abambo anga?”
8Abineri anakwiya kwambiri chifukwa cha zimene Isi-Boseti ananena ndipo anamuyankha kuti “Kodi ukuyesa ndine mutu wagalu umene ali mbali ya Ayuda? Lero lino ndine wokhulupirika ku nyumba ya abambo ako, Sauli ndi banja lake ndi anzake. Ine sindinakupereke kwa Davide, koma tsopano ukundinena pa cholakwa chimene ndachita pa mkazi uyu! 9Mulungu andilange ine Abineri, andilange kwambiri, ngati sindichitira Davide zimene Yehova anamulonjeza iye mwa lumbiro. 10Ndidzachotsa ufumu ku nyumba ya Sauli ndi kukhazikitsa ufumu wa Davide pa Aisraeli onse ndi Yuda kuchokera ku Dani mpaka ku Beeriseba.” 11Isiboseti sanayerekezenso kunena mawu ena kwa Abineri, chifukwa ankamuopa.
12Kenaka Abineri anatuma amithenga kwa Davide kukanena kuti, “Kodi dzikoli ndi la yani? Uchite mgwirizano ndi ine ndipo ndidzakuthandiza kuti Aisraeli onse azikutsatira.”
13Davide anati, “Chabwino. Ine ndichita mgwirizano ndi iwe. Koma ndikukupempha chinthu chimodzi: Usabwere pamaso panga pokhapokha utabweretsa Mikala mwana wamkazi wa Sauli, ukamabwera kudzandiona.” 14Ndipo Davide anatuma amithenga kwa Isi-Boseti mwana wa Sauli, kumulamula kuti, “Patse mkazi wanga Mikala, amene ndinamukwatira ndi makungu 100 a msonga za mavalo a Afilisti.”
15Kotero Isi-Boseti analamulira ndipo anakamutenga kwa mwamuna wake Palitieli mwana wa Laisi. 16Koma mwamuna wake anapita naye akulira pambuyo pake njira yonse mpaka ku Bahurimu. Kenaka Abineri anati kwa iye, “Bwerera kwanu!” Ndipo anabwerera kwawo.
17Abineri anakambirana ndi akuluakulu a Israeli ndipo anati, “Kwa kanthawi mwakhala mukufuna kulonga Davide kuti akhale mfumu yanu. 18Tsopano chitani zimenezo! Pakuti Yehova analonjeza Davide kuti, ‘Kudzera mwa mtumiki wanga Davide ndidzapulumutsa anthu anga Aisraeli mʼdzanja la Afilisti ndi kuwachotsa mʼmanja mwa adani awo.’ ”
19Abineri anayankhulanso nawo yekha anthu a fuko la Benjamini. Kenaka anapita ku Hebroni kukamuwuza Davide zonse zimene Aisraeli ndi fuko lonse la Benjamini amafuna kuchita. 20Abineri, amene anali ndi anthu makumi awiri, atafika kwa Davide ku Hebroni, Davide anamukonzera phwando pamodzi ndi anthu ake. 21Ndipo Abineri anawuza Davide kuti, “Loleni kuti ndipite msanga kukasonkhanitsa Aisraeli onse kuti abwere kwa inu kuno, mbuye wanga mfumu, kuti adzachite nanu pangano, ndipo kuti muzilamulira kulikonse kumene mtima wanu ufuna.” Kotero Davide analola Abineri kuti apite, ndipo anapita mwamtendere.
Yowabu Apha Abineri
22Nthawi yomweyo ankhondo a Davide ndi Yowabu anafika kuchokera kumene anakathira nkhondo ndipo anabweretsa katundu wambiri wolanda ku nkhondo. Koma Abineri sanalinso ndi Davide ku Hebroni, chifukwa Davide anamulola kuti apite, ndipo anapita mu mtendere. 23Yowabu ndi asilikali onse amene anali naye atafika, anawuzidwa kuti Abineri mwana wa Neri anabwera kwa mfumu ndipo kuti mfumu yamulola kuti apite ndi kuti wapita ndi mtendere.
24Choncho Yowabu anapita kwa mfumu ndipo anati, “Mwachita chiyani? Taonani, Abineri anabwera kwa inu. Nʼchifukwa chiyani mwamulola kuti apite? Tsopanotu wapitadi! 25Inu mukumudziwa bwino Abineri mwana wa Neri. Iye anabwera kudzakunamizani ndi kudzaona mayendedwe anu ndiponso kudzaona zonse zimene mukuchita.”
26Kenaka Yowabu anachoka pamaso pa Davide ndipo anatumiza amithenga kutsatira Abineri, ndipo anabwera naye kuchokera ku chitsime cha Sira. Koma Davide sanadziwe zimenezi. 27Tsono Abineri atabwerera ku Hebroni, Yowabu anamutengera pambali ku chipata, kukhala ngati akufuna kuyankhula naye mwamseri. Ndipo kumeneko pobwezera imfa ya mʼbale wake Asaheli, Yowabu analasa iyeyo mʼmimba, ndipo anafa.
28Patapita nthawi, Davide atamva zimenezi anati, “Ine ndi ufumu wanga tidzakhala osalakwa pamaso pa Yehova pa imfa ya Abineri mwana wa Neri. 29Mlandu umenewu ukhala pa Yowabu ndi banja lonse la abambo ake! Mʼbanja la Yowabu musadzasowe munthu wodwala matenda a chizonono kapena khate, kapena wolumala woyendera ndodo kapena wophedwa ndi lupanga, kapena wosowa chakudya.”
30(Yowabu ndi mʼbale wake Abisai anapha Abineri chifukwa iye anapha mʼbale wawo Asaheli ku nkhondo ku Gibiyoni).
31Ndipo Davide anati kwa Yowabu ndi anthu onse amene anali nawo, “Ngʼambani zovala zanu ndipo muvale ziguduli, muyende mukulira patsogolo pa Abineri.” Mfumu Davide mwini anayenda motsatira chitandacho. 32Iwo anamuyika Abineri mʼmanda ku Hebroni ndipo mfumu inalira mokweza pa manda a Abineri. Ndipo anthu onse analiranso.
33Mfumu inayimba nyimbo iyi ya maliro a Abineri:
“Abineri nʼkufa motere monga mmene chimafera chitsiru.
34Manja ako anali osamanga,
mapazi ako anali osakulungidwa.
Iwe wafa monga mmene amafera anthu pamaso pa anthu oyipa.”
Ndipo anthu onse analiranso kulirira Abineri.
35Kenaka onse anabwera kwa Davide kumuwumiriza kuti adye kusanade. Koma Davide analumbira kuti, “Mulungu andilange ine, andilange kwambiri, ngati ndilawe buledi kapena chilichonse dzuwa lisanalowe!”
36Anthu onse anadziwa zimenezi ndipo zinawakondweretsa ndithu. Zonse zimene mfumu inachita zinawakondweretsa. 37Kotero tsiku limeneli anthu onse ndi Aisraeli onse anadziwa kuti sikunali kufuna kwa mfumu kuti Abineri mwana wa Neri aphedwe.
38Ndipo mfumu inati kwa ankhondo ake, “Kodi inu simukudziwa kuti lero mu Israeli mwagwa kalonga ndi munthu wamkulu? 39Ndipo lero, ngakhale ine ndine mfumu yodzozedwa, ndilibe mphamvu ndipo ana awa a Zeruya ndi amphamvu kwa ine. Yehova abwezere woyipa molingana ndi zoyipa zake!”
