To The Word – Day 112

₁Inkosi uDavide yayisindala, ineminyaka eminingi; bayembesa ngezingubo, kepha ayifudumalanga. ₂Zase zithi kuyo izinceku zayo: “Inkosi yami, inkosi, mayifunelwe intombi esentsha ukuba ime phambi kwenkosi, iyiphathe, ilale ngasesifubeni sayo ukuba inkosi yami, inkosi, ifudumale.”

₃Base befuna intombi enhle phakathi kwemikhawulo yonke yakwa-Israyeli, bathola u-Abishagi waseShunemi, bamletha enkosini. ₄Intombi yayiyinhle kakhulu, yayiphatha inkosi, yayikhonza, kepha inkosi ayiyazanga.

₅U-Adoniya indodana kaHagiti waziphakamisa, wathi: “Mina ngiyakuba yinkosi.” Wazilungiselela izinqola, nabamahhashi, nabantu abangamashumi ayisihlanu ukugijima phambi kwakhe. ₆Uyise wayengamdabukisanga nakanye ngokuthi: “Wenzeleni lokhu na?” Futhi wayebukeka emuhle kakhulu, wayelama u-Abisalomu.

₇Wacebisana noJowabe indodana kaSeruya no-Abiyathara umpristi; bamsiza u-Adoniya, bamlandela. ₈Kepha uSadoki umpristi, noBenaya indodana kaJehoyada, noNathani umprofethi, noShimeyi, noReyi, namaqhawe kaDavide abamlandelanga u-Adoniya.

₉U-Adoniya wahlaba izimvu, nezinkabi, namathole akhuluphalisiweyo ngasetsheni laseZoheleti eliseceleni kwe-Eni Rogeli; wamema bonke abafowabo, amadodana enkosi, nabantu bonke bakwaJuda, izinceku zenkosi; ₁₀kepha uNathani umprofethi, noBenaya, namaqhawe, noSolomoni umfowabo, kabamemanga.

₁₁UNathani wathi kuBati Sheba unina kaSolomoni: “Awuzwanga yini ukuthi u-Adoniya indodana kaHagiti uyabusa, uDavide inkosi yethu engakwazi, na? ₁₂Ngalokho woza ngikululeke ukuba usindise ukuphila kwakho nokuphila kwendodana yakho uSolomoni. ₁₃Hamba ungene enkosini uDavide, uthi kuyo: ‘Wena nkosi yami, nkosi, awufunganga yini kuyo incekukazi yakho ngokuthi: “USolomoni indodana yakho uyakuba yinkosi emva kwami, ahlale esihlalweni sami sobukhosi,” na? Pho, kungani ukuba kubuse u-Adoniya na?’ ₁₄Bheka, usakhuluma lapho nenkosi, nami ngiyakungena emva kwakho, ngiqinise amazwi akho.”

₁₅UBati Sheba wayesengena enkosini ekamelweni; inkosi yayisindala; u-Abishagi waseShunemi wayikhonza inkosi. ₁₆UBati Sheba wakhothama, wakhuleka enkosini. Yathi inkosi: “Ubabeleni na?”

₁₇Wathi kuyo: “Nkosi yami, wafunga uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho kuyo incekukazi yakho ngokuthi: ‘Ngempela uSolomoni indodana yakho uyakuba yinkosi emva kwami, ahlale esihlalweni sami sobukhosi.’ ₁₈Bheka, manje kubusa u-Adoniya; wena nkosi yami, nkosi, awukwazi; ₁₉usehlabile izinkabi, namathole akhuluphalisiweyo, nezimvu eziningi, umemile onke amadodana enkosi, no-Abiyathara umpristi, noJowabe induna yempi; kepha uSolomoni inceku yakho kammemanga. ₂₀Wena nkosi yami, nkosi, amehlo abo bonke abakwa-Israyeli akuwe ukuba ubatshele ukuthi ngubani ozakuhlala esihlalweni sobukhosi senkosi yami, inkosi, emva kwayo, ₂₁funa, lapho inkosi yami, inkosi, isilele koyise, mina nendodana yami uSolomoni kuthiwe sinecala.”

₂₂Bheka, esakhuluma nenkosi, wangena uNathani umprofethi. ₂₃Bayitshela inkosi, bathi: “Bheka, nangu uNathani umprofethi.” Lapho esengene enkosini wakhothama phambi kwenkosi, ubuso bakhe bubheke phansi.

₂₄UNathani wathi: “Nkosi yami, nkosi, wena ushilo yini ukuthi: ‘U-Adoniya uyakuba yinkosi emva kwami, ahlale esihlalweni sami sobukhosi,’ na? ₂₅Ngokuba wehlile namuhla; uhlabile izinkabi, namathole akhuluphalisiweyo, nezimvu eziningi, umemile onke amadodana enkosi, nezinduna zempi, no-Abiyathara umpristi; bheka, bayadla, bephuza phambi kwakhe, bathi: ‘Mana njalo, nkosi Adoniya.’ ₂₆Kodwa mina, mina nceku yakho, noSadoki umpristi, noBenaya indodana kaJehoyada, nenceku yakho uSolomoni, kasimemanga. ₂₇Le nto yenziwe yini yinkosi yami, inkosi, ungazazisanga izinceku zakho ukuthi ngubani oyakuhlala esihlalweni sobukhosi senkosi yami, inkosi, emva kwayo, na?”

₂₈Yayisiphendula inkosi uDavide, yathi: “Ngibizele uBati Sheba.” Wafika ebusweni benkosi, wema phambi kwenkosi.

₂₉Inkosi yayisifunga ngokuthi: “Kuphila kukaJehova ohlengile umphefumulo wami ekuhluphekeni kwami konke, ₃₀njengalokho ngafunga kuwe uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ngathi: USolomoni indodana yakho uyakuba yinkosi emva kwami, ahlale esihlalweni sami sobukhosi esikhundleni sami, ngiyakwenze njalo impela namuhla.”

₃₁Wayesekhothama uBati Sheba, ubuso bakhe bubheke phansi, wakhuluma enkosini, wathi: “Mana njalo, nkosi yami, nkosi Davide.”

₃₂Inkosi uDavide yayisithi: “Ngibizele uSadoki umpristi, noNathani umprofethi, noBenaya indodana kaJehoyada.” Bafika phambi kwenkosi. ₃₃Inkosi yathi kubo: “Thathani izinceku zenkosi yenu, nimkhwelise uSolomoni indodana yami kuwo umnyuzi* wami, nimehlisele eGihoni, ₃₄uSadoki umpristi noNathani umprofethi bamgcobe khona abe yinkosi phezu kuka-Israyeli; bese nibetha amacilongo, nithi: ‘Mana njalo, nkosi Solomoni.’ ₃₅Bese nenyuka emva kwakhe, afike ahlale esihlalweni sami sobukhosi, ngokuba uyakuba yinkosi esikhundleni sami; ngimbekile ukuba abe ngumbusi phezu kuka-Israyeli noJuda.”

₃₆UBenaya indodana kaJehoyada wayiphendula inkosi, wathi: “Amen; uJehova uNkulunkulu wenkosi yami, inkosi, makasho njalo naye. ₃₇Njengalokho uJehova waba nenkosi yami, inkosi, makabe naye uSolomoni, asenze isihlalo sakhe sobukhosi sibe sikhulu kunesihlalo sobukhosi senkosi yami, inkosi uDavide.”

₃₈Base behla uSadoki umpristi, noNathani umprofethi, noBenaya indodana kaJehoyada, namaKhereti namaPheleti, bamkhwelisa uSolomoni kuwo umnyuzi* wenkosi uDavide, bamyisa eGihoni. ₃₉USadoki umpristi wathatha uphondo lwamafutha etendeni, wamgcoba uSolomoni. Babetha amacilongo, bonke abantu bathi: “Mana njalo, nkosi Solomoni.” ₄₀Bonke abantu benyuka emva kwakhe, abantu babetha imitshingo. Bathokoza ngokuthokoza okukhulu, kwaze kwangathi kuqhekezeka umhlaba ngomsindo wabo.

₄₁U-Adoniya nabo bonke abamenyiweyo ababe naye bawuzwa sebeqedile ukudla. UJowabe esezwa ukukhala kwecilongo wathi: “Ngowani lo msindo wokuxokozela emzini na?”

₄₂Esakhuluma, bheka, kwafika uJonathani indodana ka-Abiyathara umpristi; u-Adoniya wathi: “Ngena, ngokuba wena uyindoda enamandla; uze nodaba oluhle.”

₄₃UJonathani waphendula, wathi ku-Adoniya: “Qha, inkosi yethu, inkosi uDavide, imbekile uSolomoni inkosi; ₄₄inkosi ithumile naye uSadoki umpristi, noNathani umprofethi, noBenaya indodana kaJehoyada, namaKhereti namaPheleti, bamkhwelisa kuwo umnyuzi* wenkosi; ₄₅uSadoki umpristi noNathani umprofethi bamgcobile eGihoni abe yinkosi; sebenyukile khona bejabula, ngangokuba kwakhamuluka umuzi. Yiwo umsindo eniwuzwile. ₄₆Futhi uSolomoni usehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi sombuso. ₄₇Nezinceku zenkosi zafika ukuyibusisa inkosi yethu, inkosi uDavide, ngokuthi: ‘UNkulunkulu wakho makenze igama likaSolomoni libe lihle kunegama lakho, asenze isihlalo sakhe sobukhosi sibe sikhulu kunesihlalo sakho sobukhosi; inkosi yakhothama embhedeni wayo.’ ₄₈Futhi yasho kanje inkosi, yathi: ‘Makabusiswe uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli omisile namuhla oyakuhlala esihlalweni sami sobukhosi, ekubona amehlo ami.’ ”

₄₉Abamenyiweyo bonke baka-Adoniya besaba, basuka, bahamba bonke, kwaba yilowo nalowo ngendlela yakhe. ₅₀U-Adoniya wesaba ngenxa kaSolomoni; wasuka wahamba, wabamba izimpondo ze-altare. ₅₁Kwabikwa kuSolomoni ukuthi: “Bheka, u-Adoniya uyayesaba inkosi uSolomoni; ngalokho ubambile izimpondo ze-altare, ethi: ‘Inkosi uSolomoni mayifunge kimi namuhla ukuthi ayiyikubulala inceku yayo ngenkemba.’ ”

₅₂Wathi uSolomoni: “Uma eyakuba yindoda enamandla, akuyikuwela emhlabathini nolulodwa unwele lwakhe, kepha uma okubi kufumaniseka kuye, uyakufa.” ₅₃Yayisithumela inkosi uSolomoni, bamehlisa e-altare. Wafika, wakhuleka enkosini uSolomoni; uSolomoni wathi kuye: “Hamba, uye endlini yakho.”

₁Izinsuku zikaDavide zasondela ekufeni; wayesemyala uSolomoni indodana yakhe, ethi:

₂“Mina sengihamba indlela yawo wonke umhlaba; ngalokho qina, ube yindoda, ₃ugcine isiyalezo sikaJehova uNkulunkulu wakho ukuba uhambe ezindleleni zakhe, ugcine izimiso zakhe, nemiyalo yakhe, nezahlulelo zakhe, nobufakazi bakhe njengokulotshiweyo emthethweni kaMose, ukuze uphumelele kukho konke okwenzayo nakukho konke okubhekayo, ₄ukuze uJehova aqinise izwi lakhe alikhuluma ngami ngokuthi: ‘Uma abantwana bakho begcina indlela yabo ukuba bahambe phambi kwami eqinisweni ngayo yonke inhliziyo yabo nangawo wonke umphefumulo wabo, awuyikuntula muntu – washo njalo – esihlalweni sobukhosi sakwa-Israyeli.’

₅“Futhi wena uyazi okwenziwayo kimi nguJowabe indodana kaSeruya, nalokho akwenzayo kuzo izinduna ezimbili zezimpi zakwa-Israyeli, o-Abineri indodana kaNeri no-Amasa indodana kaJetheri, owababulala, wachitha igazi lokulwa ngesikhathi sokuthula, wabeka igazi lokulwa kulo ibhande* lakhe elalisokhalweni lwakhe nasezicathulweni zakhe ezazisezinyaweni zakhe. ₆Yenza njengokuhlakanipha kwakho, ungayehlisi impunga ngokuthula endaweni yabafileyo.

₇“Kepha yiba nomusa kumadodana kaBarizilayi wakwaGileyadi, abe khona phakathi kwabadla ngasetafuleni lakho, ngokuba enza kanjalo kimi mhla ngabalekela u-Abisalomu umfowenu.

₈“Bheka, ukhona nawe uShimeyi indodana kaGera wakwaBenjamini waseBahurimi, owangithuka ngokuthuka okwesabekayo mhla ngiya eMahanayimi; kepha wehla ukungihlangabeza ngaseJordani, ngafunga kuye uJehova ngokuthi: ‘Angiyikukubulala ngenkemba.’ ₉Ngalokho ungamyeki abe ngongenacala, ngokuba wena ungumuntu ohlakaniphileyo, uyakwazi okufanele ukuba ukwenze kuye, wehlise impunga endaweni yabafileyo inegazi.”

₁₀UDavide wayeselala koyise, wembelwa emzini kaDavide. ₁₁Izinsuku uDavide abusa ngazo phezu kuka-Israyeli zaziyiminyaka engamashumi amane; iminyaka eyisikhombisa wabusa eHebroni, iminyaka engamashumi amathathu nantathu wabusa eJerusalema.

₁₂USolomoni wayesehlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavide uyise; umbuso wakhe waqiniswa kakhulu.

₁₃Wayesefika u-Adoniya indodana kaHagiti kuBati Sheba unina kaSolomoni. Wathi: “Uze nokuthula na?”

Wathi yena: “Yebo, ngize nokuthula.”

₁₄Wayesethi: “Nginendaba kuwe.”

Wathi: “Khuluma.”

₁₅Wathi-ke: “Uyazi wena ukuthi umbuso wawungowami nokuthi wonke u-Israyeli wabhekisa kimi ubuso bakhe ukuba ngibuse; kepha umbuso usuguquliwe, sewaba ngowomfowethu, ngokuba wawuthola kuJehova. ₁₆Sengicela into inye kuwe, ungangifulatheli.”

Wathi kuye: “Khuluma.”

₁₇Wayesethi: “Ake ukhulume kuSolomoni inkosi, ngokuba akayikukufulathela wena, ukuba anginike u-Abishagi waseShunemi abe ngumkami.”

₁₈UBati Sheba wathi: “Kulungile; ngizakukukhulumela enkosini.”

₁₉Wayesehamba uBati Sheba, waya enkosini uSolomoni ukuba amkhulumele u-Adoniya kuyo. Inkosi yasukuma ukumhlangabeza, yamkhothamela, yahlala esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi, yambekela unina wenkosi isihlalo, wahlala ngakwesokunene sayo.

₂₀Wayesethi kuyo: “Nginesicelo sinye nje esincane kuwe; ungangifulatheli.”

Inkosi yathi kuye: “Cela-ke, mame ngokuba angiyikukufulathela.”

₂₁Wathi-ke: “U-Abishagi waseShunemi makanikwe ku-Adoniya umfowenu, abe ngumkakhe.”

₂₂Inkosi uSolomoni yaphendula, yathi kunina: “Umcelelelani u-Adoniya u-Abishagi waseShunemi na? Mcelele nombuso futhi, ngokuba ungumnewethu; yebo, mcelele yena no-Abiyathara umpristi, noJowabe indodana kaSeruya.”

₂₃Inkosi uSolomoni yayisifunga uJehova ngokuthi: “UNkulunkulu makenze njalo kimi, enezele futhi, uma u-Adoniya engakhulumanga leli zwi libe ngelokufa kwakhe. ₂₄Ngalokho, kuphila kukaJehova ongiqinisileyo, wangibeka esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavide ubaba, wangenza indlu njengokukhuluma kwakhe; namhla nje uyakubulawa u-Adoniya.” ₂₅Inkosi uSolomoni yayisithumela ngesandla sikaBenaya indodana kaJehoyada: wamsukela; wafa.

₂₆Inkosi yathi ku-Abiyathara umpristi: “Hamba uye e-Anathoti emasimini akho, lokhu ungowokufa, kepha angiyikukubulala namuhla, ngokuba wawuwuthwala umphongolo weNkosi uJehova phambi kukaDavide ubaba, wahlupheka ngakho konke ubaba ahlupheka ngakho.” ₂₇USolomoni wayesemxosha u-Abiyathara, angabe esaba ngumpristi kuJehova, ukuba agcwalise izwi likaJehova alikhuluma ngendlu ka-Eli eShilo.

₂₈Lapho kufika umbiko kuJowabe ngokuba uJowabe – wayemlandele u-Adoniya noma engamlandelanga u-Abisalomu uJowabe – wabaleka, waya etendeni likaJehova, wabamba izimpondo ze-altare. ₂₉Inkosi uSolomoni yatshelwa ukuthi: “UJowabe ubalekele etendeni likaJehova; bheka, ungase-altare.” USolomoni wayesethuma uBenaya indodana kaJehoyada ngokuthi: “Hamba, umsukele.”

₃₀UBenaya wafika etendeni likaJehova, wathi kuye: “Isho kanje inkosi, ithi: ‘Phuma.’ ”

Wathi: “Qha, ngiyakufela lapha.”

UBenaya wabuyisela enkosini izwi lokuthi: “Washo njalo uJowabe, wangiphendula kanjalo.”

₃₁Inkosi yathi kuye: “Yenza njengokusho kwakhe, umsukele, ummbele, ukuba ususe kimi nakuyo indlu kababa igazi elachithwa ngeze nguJowabe. ₃₂UJehova uyakulibuyisela igazi lakhe ekhanda lakhe, ngokuba wasukela amadoda amabili alungileyo amahle kunaye, wawabulala ngenkemba, ubaba uDavide engazi: u-Abineri indodana kaNeri, induna yempi yakwa-Israyeli, no-Amasa indodana kaJetheri, induna yempi yakwaJuda. ₃₃Igazi labo liyakubuyela ekhanda likaJowabe nasekhanda lenzalo yakhe kuze kube phakade; kepha kuDavide, nakuyo inzalo yakhe, nakuyo indlu yakhe, nakuso isihlalo sakhe sobukhosi kuyakuba ngukuthula kuze kube phakade, kuvela kuJehova.”

₃₄Wayesenyuka uBenaya indodana kaJehoyada, wamsukela, wambulala; wembelwa endlini yakhe ehlane. ₃₅Inkosi yayisimbeka uBenaya indodana kaJehoyada phezu kwempi esikhundleni sakhe; uSadoki umpristi inkosi yambeka esikhundleni sika-Abiyathara.

₃₆Inkosi yathuma yambiza uShimeyi, yathi kuye: “Zakhele indlu eJerusalema, uhlale khona, ungaphumi lapho ukuya ndawo. ₃₇Ngokuba mhla uphuma, uwele umfudlana iKidroni, yazisisa ukuthi uyakufa nokufa; igazi lakho liyakuba sekhanda lakho.”

₃₈Wayesethi uShimeyi enkosini: “Lelo zwi lilungile; inceku yakho iyakwenza njengokusho kwenkosi yami, inkosi.” UShimeyi wahlala eJerusalema izinsuku eziningi.

₃₉Kwathi ngasekupheleni kweminyaka emithathu izinceku ezimbili zikaShimeyi zabaleka, zaya ku-Akhishi indodana kaMahakha inkosi yaseGati. UShimeyi watshelwa ukuthi: “Bheka, izinceku zakho ziseGati.” ₄₀Wayesesuka uShimeyi, wabophela imbongolo yakhe, waya eGati ku-Akhishi ukuba afune izinceku zakhe; wahamba uShimeyi, wazibuyisa izinceku zakhe eGati.

₄₁Kwabikelwa uSolomoni ukuthi uShimeyi wayesukile eJerusalema ukuya eGati nokuthi ubuyile. ₄₂Inkosi yayisithuma yambiza uShimeyi, yathi kuye: “Angithi ngikufungisile uJehova, ngaqinisa kuwe ukuthi: ‘Mhla uphuma uye nomaphi, yazisisa ukuthi uyakufa nokufa,’ na? Wathi kimi: ‘Izwi engilizwileyo lihle.’ ₄₃Pho, awugcinanga ngani isifungo sikaJehova nomyalo engakuyala ngakho na?”

₄₄Inkosi yathi futhi kuShimeyi: “Wena uyazi konke okubi okwaziwa yinhliziyo yakho, owakwenza kuDavide ubaba; ngalokho uJehova uyakubuyisela ububi bakho ekhanda lakho. ₄₅Kepha inkosi uSolomoni iyakubusiswa, nesihlalo sobukhosi sikaDavide siyakuqiniswa phambi kukaJehova kuze kube phakade.”

₄₆Ngokuyala kwenkosi uBenaya indodana kaJehoyada waphuma wamsukela; wafa. Umbuso wawusulokhu uqiniswa njalo esandleni sikaSolomoni.

₁USolomoni wahlangana ngobuhlobo noFaro inkosi yaseGibithe, wathatha indodakazi kaFaro, wayingenisa emzini kaDavide, waze waqeda ukwakha indlu yakhe, nendlu kaJehova, nogange lwaseJerusalema nxazonke. ₂Nokho abantu babehlaba ezindaweni eziphakemeyo, ngokuba kwakungakhelwanga igama likaJehova indlu kwaze kwaba yilezo zinsuku. ₃USolomoni wamthanda uJehova, wahamba ngezimiso zikaDavide uyise; kepha wahlaba, washisa impepho ezindaweni eziphakemeyo.

₄Inkosi yaya eGibeyoni ukuhlabela khona, ngokuba kwakuyindawo ephakemeyo enkulu; uSolomoni wanikela ngeminikelo yokushiswa eyinkulungwane e-altare lelo. ₅EGibeyoni uJehova wabonakala kuSolomoni ngephupho ebusuku; uNkulunkulu wathi: “Cela lokhu othanda ukuba ngikunike khona.”

₆USolomoni wathi: “Wenzele inceku yakho uDavide ubaba umusa omkhulu njengokuhamba kwakhe phambi kwakho ngeqiniso, nangokulunga, nangobuqotho benhliziyo kuwe, wamgcinela futhi lowo musa omkhulu, wamnika indodana ukuba ihlale esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi, njengokuba kunjalo namuhla.

₇“Manje, Jehova Nkulunkulu wami, ubekile inceku yakho inkosi esikhundleni sikaDavide ubaba; ngingumntwana omncane nje, angikwazi nokungena nokuphuma. ₈Inceku yakho iphakathi kwabantu bakho obakhethileyo, isizwe esikhulu, esingenakubalwa, esingenakuthathwa umumo waso ngobuningi. ₉Ngalokho yiphe inceku yakho inhliziyo elalelayo ukwahlulela abantu bakho ukuba ngahlukanise okuhle nokubi, ngokuba ngubani ongahlulela laba bantu bakho abakhulu kangaka na?”

₁₀Leyo nkulumo yaba nhle emehlweni eNkosi ukuba uSolomoni wayecele leyo nto. ₁₁Wathi uNkulunkulu kuye: “Ngokuba ucele leyo nto, ungazicelelanga izinsuku eziningi, ungazicelelanga namfuyo, ungacelanga futhi ukufa kwezitha zakho, uzicelele ukwahlukanisa lokho okuzwayo ekwahluleleni, ₁₂bheka, ngenzile njengezwi lakho: nakhu, ngikunika inhliziyo enokuhlakanipha nokuqonda, okungazange kube khona okunjengakho ngaphambi kwakho nokungayikuvela futhi okunjengakho nangasemva kwakho. ₁₃Ngikunika futhi nalokho ongakucelanga, imfuyo nodumo, ngangokuba kungayikubakho onjengawe phakathi kwamakhosi zonke izinsuku zakho. ₁₄Uma uhamba ngezindlela zami, ugcine izimiso zami nemiyalo yami, njengalokho uyihlo uDavide wahamba, ngiyakwandisa izinsuku zakho.” ₁₅USolomoni wayesephaphama; bheka, kwakuyiphupho; waya eJerusalema, wema phambi komphongolo wesivumelwano sikaJehova, wanikela ngeminikelo yokushiswa, wanikela ngeminikelo yokuthula, wazenzela izinceku zakhe zonke idili.

₁₆Khona kwafika enkosini abesifazane ababili abayizifebe, bema phambi kwayo. ₁₇Omunye owesifazane wathi: “E nkosi, mina nalo wesifazane sihlala ndlininye; ngabeletha nginaye endlini. ₁₈Kwathi ngosuku lwesithathu sengibelethile, lo wesifazane wabeletha naye; sasindawonye, kwakungekho mfokazi nathi endlini, kuyithina sobabili kuphela.

₁₉“Umfana walo wesifazane wafa ebusuku, ngokuba walala phezu kwakhe. ₂₀Wavuka phakathi kwamabili, wathatha umfana wami eceleni kwami, incekukazi yakho ilele ubuthongo, wambeka esifubeni sakhe, wabeka umfana wakhe ofileyo esifubeni sami. ₂₁Lapho sengivuka ekuseni ukuba ngimncelise umfana wami, bheka, wayesefile; kepha sengimbhekisisa ekuseni, bheka, kwakungesiye umfana wami engimzeleyo.”

₂₂Wayesethi omunye owesifazane: “Qha, ophilayo ungumfana wami, ofileyo ngumfana wakho.”

Kepha yena wathi: “Qhabo, ofileyo ungumfana wakho, ophilayo ngumfana wami.” Bakhuluma kanjalo phambi kwenkosi.

₂₃Yayisithi inkosi: “Omunye uthi: ‘Ngowami lo mfana ophilayo, ngumfana wakho ofileyo;’ omunye uthi: ‘Qha, ngumfana wakho ofileyo, ngumfana wami ophilayo.’ ”

₂₄Yathi inkosi: “Ngiletheleni inkemba.” Baletha inkemba enkosini. ₂₅Yathi-ke inkosi: “Mdabuleni kabili umntwana ophilayo, ninike omunye inxenye nomunye inxenye.”

₂₆Wayesekhuluma enkosini owesifazane ongowakhe umntwana ophilayo, ngokuba izibilini zakhe zavutha ngomntanakhe, wathi: “E nkosi, mnike yena umntwana ophilayo, ungambulali nakanye,” kepha omunye wathi: “Makangabi ngowami nangowakho; mdabuleni.”

₂₇Yayisithatha inkosi, yathi: “Mnikeni lowo umntwana ophilayo, ningamdabuli nakanye; nguye ongunina.”

₂₈U-Israyeli wonke wezwa leso sahlulelo esenziwe yinkosi; bayesaba inkosi, ngokuba babona ukuthi ukuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu kwakukuyo ekwahluleleni kwayo.

₁Inkosi uSolomoni yabusa u-Israyeli wonke. ₂Yilezi izikhulu eyayinazo:

₇USolomoni wayenezinduna eziyishumi nambili phezu kwabo bonke abakwa-Israyeli ezazifunela inkosi nabendlu yayo ukudla; yileyo naleyo yayifuna ukudla inyanga inye ngomnyaka. ₈Nanka amagama azo:

₂₀OJuda no-Israyeli babe baningi ngangesihlabathi solwandle ngobuningi, bedla, bephuza, bejabula.

₂₁USolomoni wabusa phezu kwemibuso yonke kusukela eMfuleni* kuze kube sezweni lamaFilisti nasemkhawulweni waseGibithe; bathela intela, bamkhonza uSolomoni zonke izinsuku zokuhamba kwakhe.

₂₂Ukudla kukaSolomoni ngosuku olulodwa kwakungamakhora* angamashumi amathathu empuphu ecolekileyo, namakhora angamashumi ayisithupha empuphu, ₂₃nezinkabi eziyishumi ezikhuluphalisiweyo, nezinkabi ezingamashumi amabili zasemadlelweni, nezimvu eziyikhulu ngaphandle kwezindluzele, namanxala, nezinsephe, nezinkuku ezikhuluphalisiweyo. ₂₄Wabusa ezweni lonke ngaphesheya koMfula* kusukela eThifisa kuze kube seGaza phezu kwawo onke amakhosi ngaphesheya koMfula; wayenokuthula nxazonke zakhe. ₂₅OJuda no-Israyeli bahlala belondekile, kwaba yilowo nalowo phansi komvini wakhe nomkhiwane wakhe, kusukela kwaDani kuze kube seBeri Sheba, zonke izinsuku zikaSolomoni.

₂₆USolomoni wayenezipani* eziyizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amane zamahhashi ezinqola zakhe nabamahhashi abayizinkulungwane eziyishumi nambili.

₂₇Izinduna lezo zafunela ukudla inkosi uSolomoni nabo bonke abasondela etafuleni lenkosi uSolomoni, kwaba yileyo naleyo ngenyanga yayo; kwakungasweleki lutho. ₂₈Nebhali,* nefoliji* lamahhashi, namahhashi anejubane zakuletha endaweni lapho zikhona, kwaba yileyo naleyo njengokunqunyelwe yona.

₂₉UNkulunkulu wamnika uSolomoni ukuhlakanipha nengqondo ebanzi kakhulu, nenhliziyo enkulu ngangesihlabathi esisogwini lolwandle. ₃₀Ukuhlakanipha kukaSolomoni kwadlula ukuhlakanipha kwabantu bonke basempumalanga nakho konke ukuhlakanipha kwaseGibithe. ₃₁Ngokuba wayehlakaniphile kunabo bonke abantu: kuno-Ethani umEzra, noHemani, noKalikoli, noDarda amadodana kaMaholi, negama lakhe lalisezizweni zonke nxazonke. ₃₂Waqamba izaga eziyizinkulungwane ezintathu; amaculo akhe ayeyinkulungwane nanhlanu. ₃₃Wakhuluma ngemithi kusukela kuwo umsedari* oseLebanoni kuze kube kulo ihisopi* elimila odongeni; wakhuluma nangezinkomo, nangezinyoni, nangezilwanyana ezinwabuzelayo, nangezinhlanzi. ₃₄Kwafika abantu basezizweni zonke ukuzwa ukuhlakanipha kukaSolomoni bevela emakhosini onke abezwile ukuhlakanipha kwakhe.

₁UHiramu inkosi yaseTire wathuma izinceku zakhe kuSolomoni, ngokuba wayezwile ukuthi ugcotshiwe abe yinkosi esikhundleni sikayise, ngokuba uHiramu wayengumngane kaDavide njalo. ₂USolomoni wathumela kuHiramu, wathi:

₃“Wena uyazi ukuthi uDavide ubaba wayengenakwakhela igama likaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe indlu ngenxa yezimpi ezazimzungeza nxazonke, uJehova waze wazibeka phansi kwamathe ezinyawo zakhe. ₄Kepha manje uJehova uNkulunkulu wami unginike ukuphumula nxazonke; kakho omelana nami, akukho ngozi. ₅Bheka, sengicabanga ukwakhela igama likaJehova uNkulunkulu wami indlu, njengalokho uJehova akhuluma kuDavide ubaba, ethi: ‘Indodana yakho, engiyakuyibeka esihlalweni sakho sobukhosi esikhundleni sakho, yona iyakwakhela igama lami indlu.’

₆“Ngalokho yaleza ukuba bangigawulele imisedari* eLebanoni, izinceku zami zibe nezakho; ngiyakukunika inkokhelo yezinceku zakho njengakho konke ongakusho, ngokuba wena uyazi ukuthi akukho muntu kithi ongagawula imithi njengamaSidoni.”

₇Kwathi uHiramu ezwile amazwi kaSolomoni wathokoza kakhulu, wathi: “Makabusiswe uJehova namuhla omnikile uDavide indodana ehlakaniphileyo phezu kwalabo bantu abakhulu.”

₈UHiramu wayesethumela kuSolomoni, wathi:

“Ngizwile lokho okuthume kimi; mina ngiyakwenza konke okufunayo ngemisedari* nangemisayipuresi.* ₉Izinceku zami ziyakuyehlisa eLebanoni, ziyiyise elwandle, mina ngiyenze ibe yizihlenga ezihamba elwandle, ziye endaweni oyakungiyalela yona, zihlakazwe khona; wena wozithatha khona, ufeze engikufunayo ngokubapha abendlu yami ukudla.”

₁₀UHiramu wayesenika uSolomoni imisedari* nemisayipuresi* njengakho konke ukufuna kwakhe. ₁₁USolomoni wamnika uHiramu amakhora* ayizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amabili kakolweni, ukudla kwabendlu yakhe, namakhora angamashumi amabili amafutha akhanyiweyo; uSolomoni wamnika kanjalo uHiramu iminyaka ngeminyaka. ₁₂UJehova wamnika uSolomoni ukuhlakanipha njengokusho kwakhe kuye; kwakukhona ukuthula phakathi kukaHiramu noSolomoni; benza isivumelwano bobabili.

₁₃Inkosi uSolomoni yabiza izisebenzi kubo bonke abakwa-Israyeli; izisebenzi zaba ngabantu abayizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amathathu. ₁₄Wabathuma eLebanoni, beyizinkulungwane eziyishumi ngenyanga, bededelana; babe seLebanoni inyanga, babe sekhaya izinyanga ezimbili; u-Adoniramu wayephezu kwezisebenzi. ₁₅USolomoni wayenabathwalayo imithwalo abayizinkulungwane ezingamashumi ayisikhombisa, nababazi bamatshe ezintabeni abayizinkulungwane ezingamashumi ayisishiyagalombili, ₁₆ngaphandle kwezinduna ezinkulu zikaSolomoni ezaziphethe umsebenzi, izinkulungwane ezintathu namakhulu amathathu, ezazibusa abantu ababewenza umsebenzi. ₁₇Inkosi yayala, baqopha amatshe amakhulu, amatshe anenani elikhulu, ukuba babeke isisekelo sendlu ngamatshe abaziweyo. ₁₈Abakhi bakaSolomoni nabakhi bakaHiramu nabaseGebali bawabaza, balungisa imithi namatshe ukwakha indlu.