- Biblica® Open God’s Word in Contemporary Chichewa 2016
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Solomoni Apempha Nzeru
Solomoni mwana wa Davide anakhazikika molimbika mu ufumu wake, pakuti Yehova Mulungu wake anali naye ndipo anamukweza kwambiri.
Tsono Solomoni anayankhula kwa Aisraeli onse, olamulira a anthu 1,000, olamulira a anthu 100, oweruza ndiponso kwa atsogoleri onse a Israeli ndi atsogoleri amabanja. Solomoni pamodzi ndi gulu lonse la anthu anapita ku malo ofunika kwambiri pachipembedzo ku Gibiyoni. Tenti ya msonkhano ya Mulungu inali kumeneko, imene Mose mtumiki wa Yehova anayipanga mʼchipululu muja. Davide anabweretsa Bokosi la Mulungu kuchokera ku Kiriyati Yearimu, ndi kulikhazika kumalo kumene analikonzera popeza analimangira tenti mu Yerusalemu. Koma guwa lansembe lamkuwa limene Bezaleli mwana wa Uri, mwana wa Huri analipanga linali ku Gibiyoni kutsogolo kwa tenti ya Yehova. Kotero kuti Solomoni ndi gulu lonse anakapembedza kumeneko. Solomoni anapita pamene panali guwa lansembe lamkuwa pamaso pa Yehova mu tenti ya msonkhano ndipo anapereka nsembe zopsereza 1,000.
Usiku umenewo Mulungu anaonekera kwa Solomoni ndipo anati kwa iye, “Pempha chilichonse chimene ukufuna ndipo ndidzakupatsa.”
Solomoni anayankha Mulungu kuti, “Inu munaonetsa kukoma mtima kwakukulu kwa Davide abambo anga ndipo mwayika ine kukhala mfumu mʼmalo mwake. Tsopano Inu Yehova Mulungu, lolani kuti lonjezo lanu kwa abambo anga Davide likwaniritsidwe, pakuti mwandiyika kukhala mfumu ya anthu anu amene ndi ochuluka ngati fumbi la pa dziko lapansi. Mundipatse nzeru ndi luntha zolamulira anthu awa, pakuti ndani amene angathe kulamulira anthu anu ochulukawa?”
Mulungu anati kwa Solomoni, “Popeza izi ndi zokhumba za mtima wako ndipo sunapemphe katundu, chuma kapena ulemu, kapena imfa ya adani ako, ndiponso poti sunapemphe moyo wautali koma nzeru ndi luntha kuti ulamulire anthu anga amene Ine ndakuyika kukhala mfumu yawo, Ine ndidzakupatsa nzeru ndi chidziwitso. Ndipo ndidzakupatsanso katundu, chuma ndi ulemu, zinthu zoti palibe mfumu imene inali nazo iwe usanakhalepo ndipo palibe wina amene adzakhale nazo iweyo ukadzafa.”
Kotero Solomoni anabwerera ku Yerusalemu kuchoka kumalo opembedzerako a ku Gibiyoni, ku tenti ya msonkhano ndipo analamulira Israeli.
Solomoni anasonkhanitsa magaleta ndi akavalo; anali ndi magaleta 1,400 ndi akavalo 12,000, amene anawayika mʼmizinda yosungira magaleta ndipo ena anali ndi iye mu Yerusalemu. Mfumu inasandutsa siliva ndi golide kukhala ngati miyala wamba mu Yerusalemu. Inasandutsanso mkungudza kukhala wochuluka ngati mitengo ya mkuyu ya ku zigwa. Solomoni amagula akavalo ku Igupto ndi Kuwe pakuti anthu amalonda a mfumu amakawagula ku Kuwe. Anthu ankagula galeta ku Igupto pa mtengo wa masekeli asiliva 600 ndipo kavalo pa mtengo wa ndalama zasiliva 150. Iwo ankazigulitsanso kwa mafumu onse a Ahiti ndi a Aramu.
Kukonzekera Kumanga Nyumba ya Mulungu
Solomoni anatsimikiza zoti amange Nyumba ya Dzina la Yehova ndi nyumba yake yaufumu. Iye analemba ntchito anthu 70,000 onyamula katundu ndi anthu 80,000 okumba miyala ku mapiri ndiponso akapitawo 3,600 oyangʼanira anthuwo.
Solomoni anatumiza uthenga uwu kwa Hiramu mfumu ya ku Turo:
“Munditumizire mitengo ya mkungudza monga munachitira ndi abambo anga pamene munawatumizira mitengo ya mkungudza yomangira nyumba yaufumu yokhalamo. Tsono ine ndikufuna kumanga Nyumba ya Yehova Mulungu wanga ndi kuyipereka kwa Iye kuti tiziyikamo buledi wopatulika nthawi zonse ndiponso kuperekeramo nsembe zopsereza mmawa uliwonse ndi madzulo ndi pa masabata ndi pa masiku a chikondwerero cha mwezi watsopano ndiponso pa masiku osankhika a chikondwerero cha Yehova Mulungu wathu, monga mwa malamulo a Aisraeli mpaka muyaya.
“Nyumba ya Mulungu imene ndidzamange idzakhala yayikulu, chifukwa Mulungu wathu ndi wamkulu kuposa milungu ina yonse. Koma ndani angathe kumumangira Iye Nyumba, pakuti mlengalenga, ngakhale kumwamba kwenikweni sikungamukwane? Tsono ine ndine yani kuti ndimangire Iyeyo Nyumba, kupatula malo chabe opserezerapo nsembe pamaso pake?
“Tsono tumizireni munthu waluso pa ntchito zagolide ndi siliva, mkuwa ndi chitsulo, nsalu yapepo ndi yofiira ndi yobiriwira ndiponso waluso losema, kuti adzagwire ntchito mu Yuda ndi Yerusalemu pamodzi ndi anthu aluso amene abambo anga Davide anandipatsa.
“Munditumizirenso mitengo ya mkungudza, payini ndiponso matabwa a mʼbawa wa ku Lebanoni, pakuti ndikudziwa kuti anthu anu ali ndi luso locheka matabwa kumeneko. Antchito anga adzagwira ntchito pamodzi ndi antchito anu kuti andipatse matabwa ambiri, chifukwa Nyumba imene ndikumanga iyenera kukhala yayikulu ndi yokongola. Ine ndidzalipira antchito anu amene adzacheke matabwa matani 1,000 a tirigu wopunthapuntha, matani 2,000 a barele, malita 440,000 a vinyo, ndiponso malita 440,000 a mafuta a olivi.”
Hiramu, mfumu ya ku Turo, anamuyankha Solomoni pomulembera kalata kuti,
“Chifukwa Yehova amakonda anthu ake, wayika iwe kukhala mfumu yawo.”
Ndipo Hiramu anawonjezera kunena kuti,
“Atamandike Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli, amene analenga kumwamba ndi dziko lapansi! Iye wamupatsa Davide mwana wanzeru, wodzaza ndi luntha ndi wozindikira, amene adzamanga Nyumba ya Mulungu ndi kudzimangira yekha nyumba yaufumu.
“Ine ndikukutumizira Hiramu Abi, munthu wa luso lalikulu, amene amayi ake anali wochokera ku Dani ndipo abambo ake anali a ku Turo. Iye anaphunzitsidwa kugwira ntchito zagolide ndi siliva, mkuwa ndi chitsulo, miyala yokongola ndi matabwa, ndiponso nsalu zofewa zobiriwira, zapepo ndi zofiira. Alinso ndi luso la zosemasema ndipo atha kupanga chilichonse chimene wapatsidwa. Iye adzagwira ntchito ndi amisiri anu ndi a mbuye wanga, Davide abambo anu.
“Tsono mbuye wanga tumizirani antchito anu tirigu ndi barele, mafuta a olivi ndi vinyo zimene mwalonjeza, ndipo ife tidzadula mitengo yonse imene mukuyifuna kuchokera ku Lebanoni ndipo tidzayimanga pamodzi ndi kuyiyadamitsa pa madzi mpaka ku Yopa. Ndipo inu mudzatha kuyitenga mpaka ku Yerusalemu.”
Solomoni anawerenga alendo onse amene anali mu Israeli, potsatira chiwerengero chimene abambo ake Davide anachita ndipo panapezeka kuti analipo anthu 153,600. Iye anayika anthu 70,000 kuti akhale onyamula katundu ndi anthu 80,000 kuti akhale ophwanya miyala mʼmapiri, anthu 3,600 anawayika kukhala akapitawo oyangʼanira anthu pa ntchitoyo.
Solomoni Amanga Nyumba ya Mulungu
Pamenepo Solomoni anayamba kumanga Nyumba ya Yehova mu Yerusalemu pa Phiri la Moriya, pamene Yehova anaonekera Davide abambo ake. Panali pabwalo lopunthirapo tirigu la Arauna Myebusi, malo amene anapereka Davide. Iye anayamba kumanga pa tsiku lachiwiri la mwezi wachiwiri mʼchaka chachinayi cha ulamuliro wake.
Maziko amene Solomoni anayika pomanga Nyumba ya Mulungu ndi awa: Mulitali munali mamita 27, mulifupi munali mamita asanu ndi anayi (potsata miyeso yakale). Chipinda cha polowera mulitali mwake chinali mamita asanu ndi anayi ofanana ndi mulifupi mwake mwa nyumbayo. Msinkhu wake unali mamita 54.
Iye anakuta nyumbayo mʼkati mwake ndi golide woyengeka bwino. Chipinda chachikulu, khoma lake anakhomera matabwa a payini ndipo analikutira ndi golide wabwino ndi kulikongoletsa ndi zithunzi za kanjedza ndi maunyolo. Iye anakongoletsa Nyumba ya Mulunguyo ndi miyala yokongola. Ndipo golide amene anagwiritsa ntchito anali golide wa ku Paravaimu. Iye anakutira ndi golide mitanda ya ku denga, maferemu a zitseko, makoma ndi zitseko za Nyumba ya Mulungu, ndipo anajambula Akerubi mʼmakoma mwake.
Iye anamanga Malo Opatulika Kwambiri ndipo mulitali mwake munali mofanana ndi mulifupi mwa Nyumba mamita asanu ndi anayi. Anakuta mʼkati mwake ndi golide wosalala wolemera matani makumi awiri. Misomali yagolide imalemera magalamu 570. Anakutanso ndi golide zipinda zapamwamba.
Ku Malo Opatulika Kwambiri iye anapangako Akerubi awiri achitsulo ndipo anawakuta ndi golide. Kutalika kwa mapiko onse a Akerubi kunali mamita asanu ndi anayi. Phiko la Kerubi woyamba linali loposerapo mamita awiri ndipo limakhudza khoma la Nyumba ya Mulungu, pamene phiko linalo, lotalikanso koposerapo mamita awiri, limakhudza phiko la Kerubi winayo. Chimodzimodzinso phiko la Kerubi wachiwiri linali loposerapo mamita awiri ndipo limakhudza mbali ina ya khoma la Nyumba ya Mulungu, ndipo linalo limene linalinso loposera mamita awiri, limakhudza phiko la Kerubi woyamba uja. Mapiko a Akerubiwa akawatambasula amatalika mamita asanu ndi anayi. Akerubiwa anayimirira pa mapazi awo, kuyangʼana chipinda chachikulu.
Solomoni anapanga nsalu zotchingira zobiriwira, zapepo ndi zofiira ndi nsalu zofewa zosalala, atajambulapo Akerubi.
Kutsogolo kwa Nyumba ya Mulungu anamangako zipilala ziwiri, zimene zonse pamodzi zinali zotalika mamita khumi ndi asanu ndi theka; chipilala chilichonse chinali ndi mutu woposera mamita awiri. Iye anapanga maunyolo olumikizanalumikizana ndipo anawayika pamwamba pa zipilalazo. Anapanganso makangadza 100 ndipo anawalumikiza ku maunyolo aja. Solomoni anayimika nsanamirazo kutsogolo kwa Nyumba ya Mulungu, imodzi mbali ya kummwera ndi inayo mbali ya kumpoto. Nsanamira ya kummwera anayitcha Yakini ndipo ya kumpoto anayitcha Bowazi.
Zipangizo za mʼNyumba ya Mulungu
Solomoni anapanga guwa lamkuwa limene mulitali mwake linali mamita asanu ndi anayi, mulifupi mwakenso mamita asanu ndi anayi ndipo msinkhu wake unali mamita anayi ndi theka. Kenaka iye anapanga mbiya yayikulu yachitsulo. Inali yozungulira ndipo pakamwa pake panali pa mamita anayi ndi theka, poyeza modutsa pakati pake. Msinkhu wake unali wopitirirapo mamita awiri. Thunthu lake linali mamita 13. Mʼmunsi mwa mkombero wa mbiyayo anajambulamo zithunzi zangʼombe zazimuna mozungulira, zithunzi khumi pa theka la mita. Ngʼombezo zimajambulidwa mʼmizere iwiri ndipo anazipangira kumodzi ndi mbiyayo.
Mbiyayo anayisanjika pa ngʼombe zamkuwa khumi ndi ziwiri, zitatu zoyangʼana kumpoto, zitatu zoyangʼana kumadzulo, zitatu zoyangʼana kummwera ndipo zitatu zoyangʼana kummawa. Mbiyayo inakhazikika pamwamba pa ngʼombezo, ndipo miyendo yake yonse yakumbuyo ya ngʼombezo inkaloza mʼkati. Mbiyayo inali yochindikala ngati chikhatho ndipo mkombero wake unali ngati mkombero wa chikho, ngati duwa lokongola kwambiri. Mʼmbiyamo munkalowa madzi okwana malita 60,000.
Kenaka anapanga mabeseni khumi otsukira zinthu ndipo asanu amawayika mbali ya kummwera, asanu mbali ya kumpoto. Mʼmenemo amatsukiramo zinthu zimene zimagwiritsidwa ntchito pa nsembe zopsereza koma mbiyamo ndi mʼmene ankasambiramo ansembe.
Solomoni anapanga zoyikapo nyale khumi zagolide monga momwe kunalembedwera ndipo anaziyika mʼNyumba ya Mulungu, zisanu mbali ya kummwera, ndi zisanu mbali ya kumpoto.
Iye anapanga matebulo khumi ndipo anawayika mʼNyumba ya Mulungu, asanu mbali ya kummwera ndi asanu mbali ya kumpoto. Iye anapanganso mabeseni agolide okwanira 100.
Iye anapanga bwalo la ansembe, bwalo lalikulu ndi zitseko za bwalolo ndipo anakuta zitsekozo ndi mkuwa. Anayika mbiya ija mbali yakummwera pamene mbali ya kummawa ndi kummwera zimakumana.
Iye anapanganso miphika ndi mafosholo ndi mabeseni owazira magazi.
Kotero Hiramu anatsiriza ntchito yonse ya ku Nyumba ya Mulungu imene ankagwirira Mfumu Solomoni:
Nsanamira ziwiri;
mbale ziwiri za mitu yapamwamba pa nsanamirazo;
maukonde awiri okongoletsera mbale ziwiri za mitu yapamwamba pa nsanamirazo;
makangadza 400 a maukonde awiri okongoletserawo (mizere iwiri ya makangadza pa ukonde uliwonse, kukongoletsa mbale za mitu yapamwamba pa nsanamira);
miyendo pamodzi ndi mabeseni ake;
mbiya pamodzi ndi ngʼombe khumi ndi ziwiri zazimuna zosanjikapo mbiyayo.
Miphika, mafosholo, mafoloko otengera nyama ndi ziwiya zina zonse.
Zipangizo zonse zimene Hiramu Abi anapangira Mfumu Solomoni za mʼNyumba ya Yehova zinali zamkuwa wonyezimira. Mfumu inapangitsa zimenezi mʼchigwa cha Yorodani, ku malo amtapo amene anali pakati pa Sukoti ndi Zaretani. Zinthu zonse zimene Solomoni anapanga zinali zochuluka kwambiri kotero kuti kulemera kwa mkuwa sikunadziwike.
Solomoni anapanganso ziwiya zonse zimene zinali mʼNyumba ya Mulungu:
guwa lansembe lagolide;
matebulo pamene ankayikapo buledi woperekedwa kwa Mulungu;
zoyikapo nyale zagolide ndi nyale zake zagolide weniweni, kuti ziziyaka mʼkati mwenimweni mwa malo opatulika monga analembera,
maluwa agolide, nyale ndi mbaniro. (Zinali zagolide mmodzi);
zozimitsira nyale zagolide weniweni, mbale zowazira magazi, mbale ndi zofukizira; ndiponso zitseko zagolide za Nyumba ya Mulungu, chitseko cha ku Malo Opatulika Kwambiri ndi zitseko za ku chipinda chachikulu.
Pamene ntchito yonse imene Solomoni anagwira pa Nyumba ya Yehova inatha, anabwera ndi zinthu zonse zimene abambo ake Davide anazipereka; siliva, golide ndi ziwiya. Anaziyika mʼzipinda zosungiramo chuma cha ku Nyumba ya Mulungu.
Bokosi la Chipangano Libweretsedwa mʼNyumba ya Mulungu
Kenaka Solomoni anasonkhanitsa akuluakulu a Israeli mu Yerusalemu, atsogoleri onse a mafuko ndi akuluakulu a mabanja a Aisraeli, kuti akatenge Bokosi la Chipangano la Yehova ku Ziyoni, mzinda wa Davide. Ndipo Aisraeli onse anasonkhana pamaso pa mfumu nthawi ya chikondwerero cha mwezi wachisanu ndi chiwiri.
Akuluakulu onse a Israeli atafika, Alevi ananyamula Bokosi la Chipangano, ndipo anabwera nalo bokosi lija pamodzi ndi tenti ya msonkhano ndi ziwiya zonse zopatulika zimene zinali mʼmenemo. Ansembe ndi Alevi ndiye anazinyamula, ndipo Mfumu Solomoni ndi gulu lonse la Aisraeli amene anasonkhana naye anali patsogolo pa Bokosi la Chipangano, akupereka nsembe nkhosa zambiri ndi ngʼombe zambiri zosawerengeka.
Ansembe anafika nalo Bokosi la Chipangano la Yehova mʼchipinda chamʼkati mwenimweni, Malo Opatulika Kwambiri, ndipo analiyika pansi pa mapiko a Akerubi. Akerubiwo anatambalitsa mapiko awo pamwamba pa Bokosi la Chipangano ndipo anaphimba bokosilo pamodzi ndi mitengo yonyamulira. Mitengoyi inali yayitali kwambiri ndipo inkaonekera kunja kwa chipinda chamʼkati cha Malo Opatulika, koma osati kunja kwa Malo Opatulikawo; ndipo mitengoyi ilipo mpaka lero lino. Mʼbokosimo munalibe kanthu kena kalikonse kupatula miyala iwiri imene Mose anayikamo ku Horebu, kumene Yehova anachita pangano ndi Aisraeli atatuluka mʼdziko la Igupto.
Kenaka ansembe anatulukamo mʼMalo Opatulika. Ansembe onse amene anali mʼmenemo anali atadziyeretsa posayangʼaniranso magulu awo ochokera. Alevi onse amene anali oyimba: Asafu, Hemani, Yedutuni ndi ana ndiponso abale awo, amayima mbali ya kummawa kwa guwa lansembe atavala zovala zofewa zosalala akuyimba ziwaya zamalipenga, azeze ndi apangwe. Ansembe onse amene amayimba malipenga analipo 120 pamodzi. Oyimba malipenga ndi oyimba nyimbo aja amayimba mogwirizana, monga liwu la munthu mmodzi, kutamanda ndi kuyamika Yehova. Mogwirizana ndi malipenga, ziwaya zamalipenga ndi zida zina, anakweza mawu awo motamanda Yehova poyimba kuti,
“Yehova ndi wabwino;
chikondi chake chikhala mpaka muyaya.”
Ndipo Nyumba ya Mulungu wa Yehova inadzaza ndi mtambo, choncho ansembe sanathe kugwira ntchito yawo chifukwa cha mtambowo, pakuti ulemerero wa Yehova unadzaza Nyumba ya Mulungu.
Pamenepo Solomoni anati, “Yehova anati adzakhala mʼmitambo yakuda; ine ndakumangirani Nyumba yokongola kwambiri, malo woti muzikhalamo mpaka muyaya.”
Aisraeli onse ali chiyimire pomwepo, mfumu inatembenuka ndi kuwadalitsa. Ndipo inati,
“Atamandike Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli amene wachita ndi dzanja lake zimene analonjeza ndi pakamwa pake kwa Davide abambo anga. Pakuti Iye anati, ‘Kuyambira tsiku limene ndinatulutsa anthu anga ku Igupto, sindinasankhe mzinda wina uliwonse pa fuko lina lililonse la Aisraeli kuti kumeneko andimangire Nyumba kuti ndizikhalamo kapena munthu wina aliyense kuti akhale mtsogoleri wa Aisraeli anthu anga. Koma tsopano ndasankha Yerusalemu kuti Dzina langa likhale kumeneko ndiponso ndasankha Davide kuti alamulire anthu anga Aisraeli.’
“Abambo anga Davide anali ndi maganizo mu mtima mwawo oti amangire Nyumba Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli. Koma Yehova ananena kwa abambo anga Davide kuti, ‘Popeza zinali mu mtima mwako kumangira Nyumba dzina langa, unachita bwino kukhala ndi maganizo amenewa mu mtima mwakomo. Komatu si iwe amene udzamanga Nyumba ya Mulungu koma mwana wako, mwana amene iwe udzabereke. Iyeyo ndiye amene adzandimangire Nyumba.’
“Yehova wasunga zimene analonjeza. Ine ndalowa mʼmalo mwa abambo anga Davide, ndipo tsopano ndili pa mpando waufumu wa Israeli, monga momwe Yehova analonjezera, ndipo ndamangira nyumba Dzina la Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli. Mʼmenemo ndayikamo Bokosi la Chipangano, mmene muli pangano la Yehova limene anapangana ndi ana a Israeli.”
Pemphero la Solomoni
Pamenepo Solomoni anayimirira patsogolo pa guwa lansembe la Yehova patsogolo pa gulu lonse la Aisraeli ndipo anakweza manja ake. Iyeyo anali atapanga nsanja yamkuwa, kutalika kwake kunali mamita awiri, mulifupi mwake munali mamita awiri, msinkhu wake unali mita imodzi ndi theka ndipo nsanjayo anayimika pakati pa bwalo lakunja. Iye anayimirira pa nsanjapo nagwada pamaso pa gulu lonse la Aisraeli ndipo anakweza manja ake kumwamba. Iye anati,
“Inu Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli, palibe Mulungu wofanana nanu kumwamba kapena pa dziko. Inu amene mumasunga pangano ndi kuonetsa chikondi chosasinthika kwa atumiki anu amene amayenda pamaso panu ndi mtima wawo wonse. Inu mwasunga lonjezo lanu kwa abambo anga Davide, mtumiki wanu. Inde zimene munalonjeza ndi pakamwa panu, mwazikwaniritsa ndi manja anu monga mmene tikuonera lero lino.
“Ndipo tsopano, Inu Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli, sungani zimene munalonjeza kwa abambo anga Davide, mtumiki wanu pamene munati, ‘Sudzasowa munthu wokhala pamaso panga pa mpando waufumu wa Israeli, ngati ana ako adzasamalira mayendedwe awo ndi kusunga malamulo anga monga iwe wachitira.’ Ndipo tsopano Inu Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli, lolani kuti mawu anu akwaniritsidwe amene munalonjeza mtumiki wanu Davide.
“Kodi Mulungu angakhaledi pa dziko lapansi ndi munthu? Mlengalenga ngakhale kumwamba kwenikweni sikungakukwaneni. Nanga kuli bwanji ndi Nyumba iyi imene ndamanga! Koma Inu Yehova, Mulungu wanga, imvani pemphero ndi pembedzero la mtumiki wanu. Imvani kulira ndi pemphero la mtumiki wanu limene ndikupempha pamaso panu. Maso anu azikhala otsekuka kuyangʼana Nyumba ino usana ndi usiku, malo ano amene Inu munati mudzayikamo Dzina lanu, imvani pemphero la mtumiki wanu limene akupemphera pa malo ano. Imvani mapembedzero a mtumiki wanu ndi a anthu anu Aisraeli pamene akupemphera akuyangʼana malo ano. Imvani kumwambako, malo anu amene mumakhala; ndipo mukamva muzitikhululukira.
“Munthu akalakwira mnzake, nawuzidwa kuti alumbire, akabwera kudzalumbira patsogolo pa guwa lansembe la Nyumba ino, imvani kumwambako ndi kuchitapo kanthu. Weruzani atumiki anuwo, wochimwa mugamule kuti ndi wolakwa ndipo alangidwe chifukwa cha zimene wachita. Wosachimwa mugamule kuti wosalakwa, ndipo muonetse kusalakwa kwakeko.
“Anthu anu Aisraeli akagonja kwa adani awo chifukwa akuchimwirani ndipo akatembenukira kwa Inu ndi kuvomereza Dzina lanu, kupemphera ndi kupembedzera pamaso panu mʼNyumba ino, pamenepo imvani kumwambako ndi kukhululukira tchimo la anthu anu Aisraeli ndi kuwabweretsa ku dziko limene munawapatsa iwo ndi makolo awo.
“Pamene kumwamba kwatsekeka ndipo mvula sikugwa chifukwa anthu anu akuchimwirani, ndipo pamene apemphera akuyangʼana malo ano ndi kuvomereza Dzina lanu ndi kutembenuka kuchoka ku machimo awo chifukwa inu mwawalanga, pamenepo imvani kumwambako ndipo muwakhululukire atumiki anu, anthu anu Aisraeli. Aphunzitseni makhalidwe oyenera, ndipo gwetsani mvula mʼdziko limene munapereka kwa anthu anu monga cholowa chawo.
“Pamene mʼdziko mwagwa njala kapena mliri, chinoni kapena chiwawu, dzombe kapena kapuchi, kapena pamene adani azungulira mzinda wawo wina uliwonse, kaya mavuto kapena matenda abwera, ndipo wina aliyense mwa Aisraeli akapemphera kapena kukudandaulirani, aliyense wa iwo akadziwa masautso ake ndi ululu wake, ndi kukweza manja awo kuloza Nyumba ino, pamenepo imvani kumwambako, malo anu wokhalamo. Khululukani ndipo muchitire aliyense molingana ndi zonse zimene anachita popeza Inu mumadziwa mtima wake, (pakuti ndinu nokha amene mumadziwa mitima ya anthu), motero iwo adzakuopani ndipo adzayenda mʼnjira zanu masiku onse amene adzakhale mʼdziko limene munalipereka kwa makolo athu.
“Ndipo kunena za mlendo amene si mmodzi wa anthu anu Aisraeli, koma wabwera kuchokera ku dziko lakutali chifukwa cha dzina lanu lotchukali, ndiponso za dzanja lanu lamphamvu ndi lochita zazikulu, kudzapemphera akuyangʼana Nyumba ino, pamenepo imvani kumwambako, malo anu okhalamo, ndipo muchite zonse zimene mlendoyo akukupemphani, kotero kuti anthu onse a dziko lapansi adziwe dzina lanu ndi kukuopani monga amachitira anthu anu Aisraeli, ndipo adziwe kuti nyumba ino imene ndakumangirani imadziwika ndi dzina lanu.
“Anthu akapita ku nkhondo kukamenyana ndi adani awo, kulikonse kumene mungawatume, ndipo akapemphera moyangʼana mzinda uno umene mwausankha ndi Nyumba yanu imene ndakumangirani, pamenepo imvani kumwamba pemphero lawo ndi kupempha kwawo ndipo muwapulumutse.
“Pamene achimwira inu, pakuti palibe amene sachimwa, ndipo inu mwawakwiyira ndi kuwapereka kwa adani awo, amene awatenga ukapolo ku dziko lawo lakutali kapena pafupi. Ngati asintha mitima yawo ku dziko limene ali akapolo ndi kulapa ndi kukudandaulirani inu mʼdziko la ukapolo wawo ndi kunena kuti, ‘Ife tachimwa, tachita zolakwa ndipo tachita moyipa kwambiri.’ Ndipo ngati atembenukira kwa inu ndi mtima ndi moyo wawo wonse mʼdziko lawo la ukapolo kumene anatengedwako ndi kupemphera moyangʼana dziko limene inu munalipereka kwa makolo awo, moyangʼana Nyumba yanu imene ndakumangirani; pamenepo imvani kumwamba, malo anu okhala, pemphero lawo ndi kudandaula kwawo, ndipo muwapulumutse. Ndipo mukhululukire anthu anu, amene akuchimwirani.
“Tsono Inu Mulungu wanga, tsekulani maso anu ndi makutu anu kuti mumve mapemphero ochitikira pa malo ano.
“Tsopano dzukani Inu Yehova Mulungu, ndipo bwerani ku malo anu ampumulo,
Inu ndi Bokosi la Chipangano la mphamvu zanu.
Inu Yehova Mulungu, ansembe anu avale chipulumutso,
oyera mtima anu akondwere ndi kukhulupirika kwanu.
Inu Yehova Mulungu musamukane wodzozedwa wanu.
Kumbukirani chikondi chanu chachikulu chimene munalonjeza kwa Davide mtumiki wanu.”
Mwambo Wopereka Nyumba kwa Yehova
Solomoni atamaliza kupemphera, moto unatsika kuchokera kumwamba ndi kutentha nsembe zopsereza ndi nsembe zina, ndipo ulemerero wa Yehova unadzaza Nyumba ya Mulunguyo. Ansembe sanathe kulowa mʼNyumba ya Mulungu chifukwa munadzaza ulemerero wa Yehova. Aisraeli onse ataona moto ukuchokera kumwamba ndi ulemerero wa Yehova pamwamba pa Nyumba ya Mulungu, anagwada poyalidwa miyalapo ndipo anagunditsa nkhope zawo pansi, ndi kulambira ndi kutamanda Yehova, ponena kuti,
“Iye ndi wabwino;
chikondi chake chikhala chikhalire”
Tsono mfumu ndi anthu onse anapereka nsembe pamaso pa Yehova. Ndipo mfumu Solomoni anapereka nsembe ngʼombe 22,000, nkhosa ndi mbuzi 120,000. Kotero mfumu ndi anthu onse anachita mwambo wopereka Nyumba kwa Mulungu. Ansembe anayimirira mʼmalo mwawo, monganso anachitira Alevi ndi zida zoyimbira za Yehova, zimene Davide anapanga zotamandira Yehova ndipo zimagwiritsidwa ntchito pamene amatamanda, ponena kuti, “Chikondi chake chikhale chikhalire.” Moyangʼanizana ndi Alevi, ansembe amaliza malipenga, ndipo Aisraeli onse anali atayimirira.
Solomoni anapatula malo a pakati pa bwalo kutsogolo kwa Nyumba ya Yehova ndipo pamenepo anapereka nsembe zopsereza ndi mafuta, zopereka za chiyanjano, chifukwa guwa lansembe lamkuwa limene anapanga panalibe malo woti nʼkuperekerapo nsembe zopsereza, nsembe za ufa ndi mafuta.
Choncho nthawi imeneyi, Solomoni anachita chikondwerero kwa masiku asanu ndi awiri pamodzi ndi Aisraeli onse. Unali msonkhano waukulu, kuyambira ku Lebo Hamati mpaka ku chigwa cha ku Igupto. Pa tsiku lachisanu ndi chitatu panali msonkhano, pakuti anachita mwambo wopereka guwa lansembe kwa masiku asanu ndi awiri ndi masiku enanso asanu ndi awiri achikondwerero. Pa tsiku la 23 la mwezi wachisanu ndi chiwiri, Solomoni anawuza anthu aja kuti apite kwawo. Anthu anali achimwemwe ndi okondwa mʼmitima mwawo chifukwa cha zinthu zabwino zimene Yehova anachitira Davide ndi Solomoni ndiponso anthu ake Aisraeli.
Yehova Aonekera Solomoni
Solomoni atatsiriza kumanga Nyumba ya Yehova ndi nyumba yaufumu ndi kukwaniritsa kuchita zonse zimene zinali mu mtima mwake pa Nyumba ya Yehova ndi nyumba yake yaufumu, Yehova anamuonekera usiku ndipo anati:
“Ine ndamva pemphero lako ndipo ndadzisankhira malo ano kukhala Nyumba yanga yoperekeramo nsembe.
“Ine ndikatseka kumwamba kuti mvula isagwe, kapena kulamulira dzombe kuti liwononge dziko, kapena kutumiza mliri pakati pa anthu, ngati anthu anga, amene amatchedwa ndi dzina langa adzichepetsa ndi kupemphera ndi kufunafuna nkhope yanga, nasiya njira zawo zoyipa, pamenepo Ine ndidzamva kumwamba ndipo ndidzakhululuka tchimo lawo ndi kuchiritsa dziko lawo. Ndipo maso anga adzatsekuka ndi makutu anga adzakhala tcheru kumva mapemphero a pamalo pano. Ine ndasankha ndipo ndapatula Nyumba yangayi kotero kuti ndidzakhala mʼmenemo kwamuyaya. Maso ndi mtima wanga zidzakhala pano nthawi zonse.
“Kunena za iwe, ukayenda pamaso panga mokhulupirika monga momwe anachitira abambo ako Davide, ndi kuchita zonse zimene ndakulamula, ndi kusamalitsa malangizo ndi malamulo anga, Ine ndidzakhazikitsa mpando wako waufumu, monga ndinachitira pangano ndi abambo ako Davide pamene ndinati, ‘Sipadzasowa munthu wolamulira Israeli.’
“Koma ngati iwe udzapatuka ndi kutaya malangizo ndi malamulo amene ndakupatsa ndi kupita kukatumikira milungu ina ndi kuyipembedza, pamenepo Ine ndidzazula Aisraeli mʼdziko langa limene ndinawapatsa, ndiponso ndidzayikana Nyumba ino imene ndadzipatulira. Ndipo udzakhala ngati mwambi ndi chinthu chonyozedwa pakati pa anthu onse. Ndipo ngakhale kuti tsopano Nyumba ya Mulunguyi ndi yokongola kwambiri, onse amene adzadutsa pano adzadabwa kwambiri ndipo adzati, ‘Nʼchifukwa chiyani Yehova wachita chinthu chotere mʼdziko muno ndi pa Nyumba ya Mulunguyi?’ Anthu adzayankha kuti, ‘Nʼchifukwa chakuti asiya Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo awo, amene anawatulutsa mʼdziko la Igupto ndipo akangamira milungu ina ndi kumayipembedza ndi kuyitumikira. Choncho Iye wabweretsa zovuta zonsezi.’ ”
Ntchito Zina za Solomoni
Patatha zaka makumi awiri, ndiye nthawi imene Solomoni anamanga Nyumba ya Mulungu ndi nyumba yake yaufumu, Solomoni anamanganso midzi imene anapatsidwa ndi Hiramu, ndipo anakhazikamo Aisraeli. Kenaka Solomoni anapita kukalanda Hamati-zoba. Iye anamanganso Tadimori ku chipululu ndi mizinda yonse yosungiramo chuma, imene anayimanga ku Hamati. Anamanganso Beti-Horoni Wakumtunda ndi Beti-Horoni Wakumunsi, mizinda yotetezedwa yokhala ndi makoma, zitseko ndi zitsulo zotchingira, pamodzinso ndi Baalati ndi mizinda yake yonse yosungira chuma, ndiponso mizinda yonse yosungiramo magaleta ake ndi akavalo ndi chilichonse anafuna kumanga ku Yerusalemu, ku Lebanoni ndi ku madera onse amene iye ankalamulira.
Panali anthu amene anatsala pakati pa mitundu ya Ahiti, Aamori, Aperezi, Ahivi ndi Ayebusi (anthu awa sanali Aisraeli). Zimenezi ndiye zinali zidzukulu zawo zotsalira mʼdzikoli, anthu amene Aisraeli sanathe kuwawononga kotheratu. Solomoni anawatenga ndi kukhala akapolo ake ogwira ntchito yathangata, monga zilili mpaka lero lino. Koma Solomoni sanagwiritse ntchito ya ukapolo Aisraeli; Iwo anali anthu ake ankhondo, atsogoleri a ankhondo, olamulira magaleta ndi oyendetsa magaleta ake. Amenewa ndiwo anali akuluakulu oyangʼanira ntchito za mfumu Solomoni. Onse amene ankayangʼanira anthu analipo 250.
Solomoni anabweretsa mwana wamkazi wa Farao mu mzinda wa Davide ku nyumba yaufumu yomwe anamumangira, pakuti iye anati, “Mkazi wanga asakhale mʼnyumba yaufumu ya Davide mfumu ya Israeli, chifukwa malo amene Bokosi la Chipangano la Yehova lafikira ndi opatulika.”
Solomoni anapereka nsembe zopsereza pa guwa lansembe la Yehova limene anamanga patsogolo pa khonde la polowera, monga momwe zinkafunikira pa tsiku lililonse. Ankapereka nsembezo potsata malamulo a Mose okhudza chikondwerero cha Masabata, chikondwerero cha Mwezi Watsopano ndi zikondwerero zitatu za pa chaka: Chikondwerero cha Buledi Wopanda yisiti, Chikondwerero cha Masabata ndi Chikondwerero cha Misasa. Potsata malangizo a Davide abambo ake, iye anayika ansembe mʼmagulumagulu monga mwa ntchito zawo ndipo anayika Alevi kukhala otsogolera matamando ndi kuthandiza ansembe pa zofunika pa tsiku lililonse. Iye anasankhanso magulumagulu a alonda a pa zipata zosiyanasiyana, chifukwa izi ndi zimene munthu wa Mulungu, Davide analamula. Anthu sanapatukepo pa zimene mfumu inalamula ansembe kapena Alevi pa china chilichonse, kuphatikiza za chuma.
Ntchito yonse ya Solomoni inachitika kuyambira tsiku limene maziko a Nyumba ya Mulungu anakhazikitsidwa mpaka kumaliza. Kotero Nyumba ya Yehova inamalizidwa.
Kenaka Solomoni anapita ku Ezioni-Geberi ndi Eloti, mʼmbali mwa nyanja ku Edomu. Ndipo Hiramu anatumiza sitima zapamadzi zoyendetsedwa ndi antchito ake, antchito amene ankayidziwa bwino nyanja. Awa pamodzi ndi anthu a Solomoni, anayenda pa madzi kupita ku Ofiri ndipo anakatengako golide olemera makilogalamu 18,000 amene anabwera naye kwa mfumu Solomoni.
Mfumu Yayikazi ya ku Seba Ichezera Solomoni
Mfumu yayikazi ya ku Seba itamva za kutchuka kwa Solomoni, inabwera mu Yerusalemu kudzamuyesa ndi mafunso okhwima. Inafika ndi gulu lalikulu la ngamira zonyamula zokometsera zakudya, golide wambiri, ndi miyala yokongola. Inafika kwa Solomoni ndipo inayankhula naye zonse zimene zinali mu mtima mwake. Solomoni anayankha mafunso ake onse ndipo panalibe kanthu kalikonse kovuta kwa iye komwe sanathe kufotokozera mfumu yayikaziyo. Mfumu yayikazi ya ku Seba itaona nzeru za Solomoni komanso nyumba yaufumu imene anamanga, chakudya cha pa tebulo pake, moyo wa antchito ake ndi zovala zawo; atumiki opereka zakumwa ndi zovala zawo ndiponso nsembe zopsereza zimene ankapereka ku Nyumba ya Yehova, inathedwa nzeru.
Iyo inati kwa mfumu, “Mbiri imene ndinamva ndili ku dziko kwathu, ya zomwe munachita komanso nzeru zanu ndi yoona. Koma sindinakhulupirire zimene ankanena mpaka nditafika ndi kuona ndi maso anga. Kunena zoona sanandiwuze ngakhale theka lomwe la kuchuluka kwa nzeru zanu, pakuti zaposa zimene ndinamva. Ngodala anthu anu! Ngodala atumiki anu amene amayimirira pamaso panu nthawi zonse ndi kumamva nzeru zanu! Atamandike Yehova Mulungu wanu amene wakondwera nanu nakukhazikani pa mpando wake waufumu kuti mulamulire mʼmalo mwa Yehova Mulungu wanu. Chifukwa cha chikondi cha Mulungu wanu pa Israeli, ndi khumbo lake kuti akusungeni mpaka muyaya, Iye wayika inu kukhala mfumu yawo kuti mulamulire moyenera ndi mwachilungamo.”
Kenaka iyo inapereka kwa mfumu makilogalamu 4,000 a golide, zonunkhira zambirimbiri ndi miyala yokongola. Nʼkale lomwe sikunaonekenso zonunkhiritsa ngati zomwe mfumu yayikazi ya ku Seba inapereka kwa mfumu Solomoni.
(Anthu a Hiramu ndi anthu a Solomoni anabweretsa golide kuchokera ku Ofiri ndipo anabweretsanso mitengo ya mʼbawa ndi miyala yokongola. Mfumu inagwiritsa ntchito mitengo ya mʼbawa pokonzera makwerero a Nyumba ya Yehova ndi nyumba yaufumu ndiponso kupangira anthu oyimba apangwe ndi azeze. Zinthu zonga zimenezi sizinaonekeponso mu Yuda).
Mfumu Solomoni inapereka kwa mfumu yayikazi ya ku Seba zonse zimene inazifuna ndi kuzipempha ndipo Solomoni anayipatsa mfumuyo zoposa zimene iyo inabweretsa kwa Solomoni. Ndipo mfumuyo inabwerera ku dziko lake pamodzi ndi atumiki ake.
Ulemerero wa Mfumu Solomoni
Kulemera kwa golide amene Solomoni amalandira pa chaka kunali makilogalamu 23,000, osawerengera amene ankabwera ndi anthu ochita malonda ndi osinthanitsa zinthu. Komanso mafumu onse a ku Arabiya ndi abwanamkubwa a mʼdzikomo amabweretsa golide ndi siliva kwa Solomoni.
Mfumu Solomoni inapanga zishango zazikulu 200 zagolide wosasantha. Mʼchishango chilichonse mumalowa golide wolemera makilogalamu asanu ndi awiri. Iye anapanganso zishango zingʼonozingʼono 300 zagolide wosasantha ndipo chishango chilichonse chimapangidwa ndi golide wolemera makilogalamu atatu. Mfumu inayika zishangozi mʼnyumba yaufumu yotchedwa Nkhalango ya Lebanoni.
Ndipo mfumu inapanganso mpando waukulu waufumu wa nyanga za njovu ndipo unakutidwa ndi golide woyengeka bwino. Mpando waufumuwo unali ndi makwerero asanu ndi limodzi ndi choyikapo mapazi cholumikizidwa ku mpandowo. Mʼmbali zonse za mpandowo munali zosanjikapo manja, ndi chifanizo cha mkango chitayima posanjikapo manjapo. Mikango khumi ndi iwiri inayimirira pa makwerero asanu ndi imodzi aja. Umodzi mbali ina ya khwerero ndi wina mbali inayo. Palibe mpando wonga uwu umene unapangidwapo mu ufumu wina uliwonse. Zikho zonse za mfumu Solomoni zinali zagolide, ndiponso zipangizo zonse za ku nyumba yaufumu ya Nkhalango ya Lebanoni zinali zagolide oyengeka bwino. Panalibe chinthu chopangidwa ndi siliva, chifukwa siliva samayesedwa kanthu mʼnthawi ya Solomoni. Mfumu inali ndi sitima zambiri zapamadzi zimene zimayendetsedwa ndi antchito a Hiramu. Zimabwera kamodzi pa zaka zitatu zilizonse zitanyamula golide, siliva ndi nyanga za njovu, ndiponso anyani ndi apusi.
Mfumu Solomoni anapambana mafumu ena onse a dziko lapansi pa chuma ndi nzeru. Mafumu onse a dziko lapansi ankafunafuna kuonana ndi Solomoni kuti adzamve nzeru zimene Mulungu anayika mu mtima mwake. Chaka ndi chaka, aliyense amene amabwera, amabweretsa mphatso monga zipangizo zasiliva ndi golide, mikanjo, zida zankhondo ndi zokometsera zakudya komanso akavalo ndi abulu.
Solomoni anali ndi zipinda 4,000 zodyeramo akavalo ndi magaleta, ndi akavalo 12,000 amene amawasunga mʼmizinda yosungira magaleta ndiponso ena anali ndi iye ku Yerusalemu. Iye ankalamulira mafumu onse kuyambira ku mtsinje wa Yufurate mpaka ku dziko la Afilisti, kukafika ku malire a dziko la Igupto. Mfumu inasandutsa siliva kukhala wambiri ngati miyala wamba mu Yerusalemu ndipo mikungudza kukhala yochuluka ngati mitengo ya mkuyu ya ku zigwa. Solomoni ankayitanitsa akavalo ake kuchokera ku Igupto ndi mayiko ena onse.
Kumwalira kwa Solomoni
Tsono ntchito zina zonse za Solomoni, kuyambira pachiyambi mpaka kumaliza, kodi sizinalembedwa mʼbuku la mbiri la mneneri Natani, ndi mʼbuku la uneneri wa Ahiya wa ku Silo ndi mʼbuku la masomphenya a mlosi Ido, lokamba za Yeroboamu mwana wa Nebati? Solomoni analamulira Aisraeli onse ku Yerusalemu zaka makumi anayi. Ndipo anamwalira nagona ndi makolo ake. Anayikidwa mʼmanda mu mzinda wa Davide abambo ake. Ndipo Rehobowamu, mwana wake, analowa ufumu mʼmalo mwake.
Aisraeli Awukira Rehobowamu
Rehobowamu anapita ku Sekemu, pakuti Aisraeli onse anapita kumeneko kuti akamulonge ufumu. Yeroboamu mwana wa Nebati atamva zimenezi (Iye anali ku Igupto, kumene anapita pothawa mfumu Solomoni) anabwerako kuchokera ku Igupto. Kotero anthu anakayitana Yeroboamu ndipo iye ndi Aisraeli onse anapita kwa Rehobowamu ndi kumuwuza kuti, “Abambo anu anatisenzetsa goli lolemetsa koma tsopano mutipeputsire ntchito yolemetsayi ndi goli lolemerali limene analiyika pa ife ndipo ifeyo tidzakutumikirani.”
Rehobowamu anayankha kuti, “Mukabwerenso pakapita masiku atatu.” Choncho anthuwo anachoka.
Kenaka mfumu Rehobowamu anafunsira nzeru kwa akuluakulu amene ankatumikira abambo ake, Solomoni, pamene anali moyo. Iye anafunsa kuti, “Kodi inu mungandilangize zotani kuti ndiwayankhe anthu awa?”
Iwo anayankha kuti, “Ngati inu muwakomera mtima anthu awa ndi kuwasangalatsa ndiponso kuwayankha mawu abwino, iwo adzakutumikirani nthawi zonse.”
Koma Rehobowamu anakana malangizo amene akuluakulu anamupatsa ndipo anakafunsira nzeru kwa anyamata amene anakula naye pamodzi komanso amamutumikira. Iye anawafunsa kuti, “Kodi malangizo anu ndi otani? Kodi tiwayankhe chiyani anthu amene akunena kuti, ‘Peputsani goli limene abambo anu anayika pa ife?’ ”
Anyamata amene anakula pamodzi naye anamuyankha kuti, “Anthu amene anena kwa inu kuti, ‘Abambo anu anatisenzetsa goli lolemetsa koma inu mupeputse goli lathu,’ muwawuze kuti, ‘Chala changa chachingʼono ndi chachikulu kuposa chiwuno cha abambo anga. Abambo anga anakusenzetsani goli lolemetsa koma ine ndidzalichititsa kukhala lolemetsa kwambiri. Abambo anga anakukwapulani ndi zikoti wamba koma ine ndidzakukwapulani ndi zinkhanira.’ ”
Tsiku lachitatu Yeroboamu ndi anthu onse anabwerera kwa Rehobowamu monga ananenera mfumu kuti, “Mukabwerenso kwa ine pakapita masiku atatu.” Mfumu inawayankha mwankhanza, pokana malangizo a akuluakulu aja. Iye anatsatira malangizo a anyamata ndipo anati, “Abambo anga anakusenzetsani goli lolemetsa koma ine ndidzalichititsa kukhala lolemetsa kwambiri. Abambo anga anakukwapulani ndi zikoti wamba koma ine ndidzakukwapulani ndi zinkhanira.” Kotero mfumu sinamvere anthuwo, pakuti zinthu izi zinali zochokera kwa Mulungu, kukwaniritsa mawu amene Yehova ananena kwa Yeroboamu mwana wa Nebati kudzera mwa Ahiya wa ku Silo.
Aisraeli onse ataona kuti mfumu yakana kuwamvera, iwo anayankha mfumu kuti,
“Kodi ife tili ndi gawo lanji mwa Davide,
gawo lanji mwa mwana wa Yese?
Inu Aisraeli! Pitani kwanu.
Iwe Davide! Yangʼana banja lako.”
Kotero Aisraeli onse anapita kwawo. Koma Rehobowamu anakhala akulamulirabe Aisraeli amene amakhala mʼmizinda ya Yuda.
Mfumu Rehobowamu inatuma Hadoramu amene ankayangʼanira ntchito yathangata, koma Aisraeli anamugenda miyala ndi kumupha. Koma mfumu Rehobowamu anakwera galeta lake ndi kuthawira ku Yerusalemu. Motero Israeli wakhala akuwukira banja la Davide mpaka lero lino.
Rehobowamu atafika ku Yerusalemu anasonkhanitsa asilikali 180,000 a fuko la Yuda ndi Benjamini kuti akachite nkhondo ndi Israeli, kuti abwezeretse ufumu kwa Rehobowamu.
Koma Yehova anayankhula ndi munthu wa Mulungu Semaya kuti, “Kawuze Rehobowamu mwana wa Solomoni mfumu ya Yuda ndi Aisraeli onse ali mu Yuda ndi Benjamini kuti, ‘Yehova akuti: Musapite kukamenyana ndi abale anu. Pitani kwanu, aliyense wa inu, pakuti izi ndikuchita ndine.’ ” Choncho anamvera mawu a Yehova ndi kubwerera osapita kukamenyana ndi Yeroboamu.
Rehobowamu Akhwimitsa Chitetezo cha Yuda
Rehobowamu amakhala mu Yerusalemu ndipo anamanga mizinda ya chitetezo iyi mu Yuda: Betelehemu, Etamu, Tekowa, Beti Zuri, Soko, Adulamu, Gati, Maresa, Zifi, Adoraimu, Lakisi, Azeka, Zora, Ayaloni ndi Hebroni. Iyi ndiye inali mizinda yotetezedwa ya Yuda ndi Benjamini. Iye anakhwimitsa chitetezo cha mizindayi ndipo anayikamo atsogoleri a ankhondo, pamodzi ndi chakudya, mafuta a olivi ndi vinyo. Mʼmizinda yonse anayikamo zishango zikuluzikulu ndi mikondo, ndipo anachititsa kuti mizindayo ikhale yamphamvu. Choncho iye amalamulira Yuda ndi Benjamini.
Ansembe ndi Alevi a mʼmadera onse a Israeli anakhala mbali ya Rehobowamu. Alevi anasiya malo awo owetera ziweto ndi katundu wawo, ndi kubwera ku Yuda ndi ku Yerusalemu chifukwa Yeroboamu ndi ana ake anawakana kukhala ansembe a Yehova. Ndipo iye anasankha ansembe akeake a pa malo opatulika ndi a mafano a mbuzi ndi mwana wangʼombe amene anapanga. Anthu ochokera fuko lililonse la Israeli amene anatsimikiza mitima yawo kufunafuna Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli, ankapitabe ku Yerusalemu kukapereka nsembe kwa Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo awo. Iwo analimbikitsa ufumu wa Yuda, ndipo anathandiza Rehobowamu mwana wa Solomoni kwa zaka zitatu. Pa nthawi imeneyi iye amatsatira zochita za Davide ndi Solomoni.
Banja la Rehobowamu
Rehobowamu anakwatira Mahalati, amene abambo ake anali Yerimoti, mwana wa Davide, ndipo amayi ake anali Abihaili, mwana wa Eliabu, mwana wa Yese. Mkaziyo anamubereka ana aamuna awa: Yeusi, Semariya ndi Zahamu. Kenaka anakwatira Maaka, mwana wamkazi wa Abisalomu, amene anamubereka Abiya, Atai, Ziza ndi Selomiti. Rehobowamu ankamukonda Maaka mwana wa Abisalomu kuposa aliyense mwa akazi ake ndi azikazi. Iye anali ndi akazi 18, azikazi 60, ana aamuna 28 ndi ana aakazi 60.
Rehobowamu anasankha Abiya mwana wa Maaka kuti akhale mtsogoleri pa abale ake, ndi cholinga choti adzakhale mfumu. Iye anachita mwanzeru, pomwaza ena mwa ana ake ku madera onse a Yuda ndi Benjamini, ndi ku mizinda yonse yotetezedwa. Iye anawapatsa zinthu zambiri ndiponso anawafunira akazi ambiri.
Sisaki Athira Nkhondo Dziko la Yuda
Rehobowamu atakhazikika monga mfumu nakhaladi wamphamvu, iyeyo pamodzi ndi Aisraeli onse anasiya malamulo a Yehova. Chifukwa anakhala osakhulupirika pamaso pa Yehova, Sisaki mfumu ya dziko la Igupto inathira nkhondo Yerusalemu mʼchaka chachisanu cha mfumu Rehobowamu. Sisakiyo anabwera ndi magaleta 1,200 ndi anthu okwera akavalo 60,000 ndiponso asilikali osawerengeka ochokera ku Libiya, Suki ndi Kusi amene anabwera naye kuchokera ku Igupto. Iye analanda mizinda yotetezedwa ya Yuda ndipo anafika mpaka ku Yerusalemu.
Ndipo mneneri Semaya anabwera kwa Rehobowamu ndi kwa atsogoleri a Yuda amene anasonkhana mu Yerusalemu chifukwa cha Sisaki ndipo iye anawawuza kuti, “Yehova akuti, ‘Inu mwandisiya, choncho Inenso ndakusiyani ndi kukuperekani kwa Sisaki.’ ”
Atsogoleri a Israeli pamodzi ndi mfumu anadzichepetsa nati, “Yehova ndi wolungama.”
Yehova ataona kuti adzichepetsa, anayankhula ndi Semaya kuti, “Pakuti adzichepetsa, Ine sindiwawononga koma posachedwapa ndiwapulumutsa. Sinditsanulira ukali wanga pa Yerusalemu kudzera mwa Sisaki. Komabe iwo adzakhala pansi pa ulamuliro wake, kuti aphunzire kudziwa kusiyanitsa pakati pa kutumikira Ine ndi kutumikira mafumu a mayiko ena.”
Sisaki mfumu ya dziko la Igupto atathira nkhondo Yerusalemu, iye anatenga chuma cha mʼNyumba ya Yehova ndi chuma cha mʼnyumba yaufumu. Iye anatenga zinthu zonse kuphatikizapo zishango zagolide zimene Solomoni anapanga. Ndipo mfumu inapereka zishango zamkuwa kwa oyangʼanira mʼmalo mwake ndipo iwo anazipereka kwa oyangʼanira alonda amene amayangʼanira pa chipata cha nyumba yaufumu. Nthawi ina iliyonse imene mfumu ikupita ku Nyumba ya Yehova, alonda amapita nayo atanyamula zishango, ndipo kenaka amakazibwezera ku chipinda cha alonda.
Pakuti mfumu Rehobowamu inadzichepetsa, mkwiyo wa Yehova unamuchokera, sanawonongedweretu. Kunena zoona, munali zinthu zina zabwino mu Yuda.
Mfumu Rehobowamu anayika maziko a ufumu wake mwamphamvu mu Yerusalemu ndipo anapitirira kukhala mfumu. Iye anali ndi zaka 41 pamene anakhala mfumu, ndipo analamulira zaka 17 mu Yerusalemu, mzinda wa Yehova umene anasankha pakati pa mafuko a Aisraeli mmene Yehova anakhazikikamo. Dzina la amayi ake linali Naama, amene anali Mwamoni. Rehobowamu anachita zoyipa chifuwa mtima wake sunafunefune Yehova.
Ntchito za Rehobowamu, kuyambira pachiyambi mpaka pa mapeto, kodi sizinalembedwe mʼbuku la mbiri la mneneri Semaya ndi mlosi Ido amene amalemba mbiri? Panali nkhondo yosatha pakati pa Rehobowamu ndi Yeroboamu. Rehobowamu anamwalira, ndipo anayikidwa mʼmanda mu mzinda wa Davide. Ndipo mwana wake Abiya analowa ufumu mʼmalo wake.
Abiya Mfumu ya Yuda
Mʼchaka cha 18 cha ulamuliro wa Yeroboamu, Abiya analowa ufumu wa Yuda, ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa zaka zitatu. Dzina la amayi ake linali Maaka mwana wa Urieli wa ku Gibeya.
Koma panali nkhondo pakati pa Abiya ndi Yeroboamu. Abiya anapita ku nkhondo ndi asilikali odziwa bwino nkhondo 400,000, ndipo Yeroboamu anandandalitsa ankhondo, asilikali 800,000 odziwa bwino nkhondo, osankhidwa ndi amphamvu, woti amenyane naye.
Abiya anayima pa phiri la Zemaraimu, mʼdziko lamapiri la Efereimu, ndipo anati, “Yeroboamu ndi Aisraeli onse, tandimverani! Kodi inu simukudziwa kuti Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli, wapereka ufumu wa Israeli kwa Davide ndi zidzukulu zake mpaka muyaya ndiponso pangano la mchere? Komabe Yeroboamu mwana wa Nebati, mtumiki wa Solomoni mwana wa Davide, anawukira mbuye wake. Ndipo anthu ena achabechabe anasonkhana kwa iye ndipo anatsutsana ndi Rehobowamu mwana wa Solomoni pamene anali wamngʼono ndi wosalimba mtima ndi wopanda mphamvu kuti athe kulimbana nawo.
“Ndipo tsopano inu mwakonzekera kutsutsana ndi ufumu wa Yehova, umene uli mʼmanja mwa zidzukulu za Davide. Inu ndithu mulipo ankhondo ambirimbiri ndipo muli ndi ana angʼombe agolide amene Yeroboamu anapanga kuti akhale milungu yanu. Koma kodi inu simunathamangitse ansembe a Yehova, ana a Aaroni ndiponso Alevi ndi kudzisankhira ansembe anuanu monga anthu ena amachitira? Aliyense amene amabwera kuti adzipatule atatenga mwana wangʼombe wamwamuna ndi nkhosa zazimuna zisanu ndi ziwiri amakhala wansembe wa zinthu zimene sizili milungu.
“Koma kunena za ife, Yehova ndiye Mulungu wathu, ndipo sitinamusiye. Ansembe amene amatumikira Yehova ndi ana a Aaroni ndipo amathandizidwa ndi Alevi. Mmawa uliwonse ndi madzulo aliwonse amapereka nsembe zopsereza ndi kufukiza lubani kwa Yehova. Iwo amayika buledi pa tebulo loyeretsedwa monga mwa mwambo ndipo amayatsa nyale pa zoyikapo nyale zagolide madzulo aliwonse. Ife timachita zofuna za Yehova Mulungu wathu. Koma inu mwamusiya. Mulungu ali nafe pakuti ndiye mtsogoleri wathu. Ansembe ake atanyamula malipenga, adzayimba mfuwu wankhondo kulimbana nanu. Inu Aisraeli musalimbane ndi Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo anu, pakuti simungathe kupambana.”
Tsono Yeroboamu anali atatumiza asilikali kumbuyo mowazungulira, kotero kuti iye ali kutsogolo kwa anthu a ku Yuda, anthu owabisalira anali kumbuyo kwawo. Asilikali a Yuda anatembenuka ndipo anaona kuti nkhondo imachitikira kutsogolo ndi kumbuyo. Ndipo iwo anafuwulira Yehova. Ansembe anayimba malipenga awo ndipo asilikali a Yuda anafuwula mawu ankhondo. Atafuwula mawu ankhondowo, Mulungu anagonjetsa Yeroboamu pamodzi ndi Aisraeli onse pamaso pa Abiya ndi Yuda. Aisraeli anathawa Ayuda. Ndipo Mulungu anawapereka mʼmanja mwawo. Abiya pamodzi ndi anthu ake anapha anthu ambiri, kotero kuti Aisraeli 500,000 odziwa bwino nkhondo anaphedwa. Ankhondo a Israeli anagonjetsedwa pa nthawi imeneyi, ndipo ankhondo a Yuda anapambana chifukwa anadalira Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo awo.
Abiya anathamangitsa Yeroboamu ndipo anamulanda mizinda ya Beteli, Yesana, ndi Efroni pamodzi ndi midzi yawo yozungulira. Yeroboamu sanapezenso mphamvu nthawi ya Abiya. Ndipo Yehova anamukantha nafa.
Koma Abiya mphamvu zake zinakula. Iye anakwatira akazi 14 ndipo anali ndi ana aamuna 22 ndi ana aakazi 16.
Zina ndi zina zokhudza Abiya, zimene anachita ndi zimene anayankhula, zinalembedwa mʼbuku la mbiri ya mneneri Ido.
Tsono Abiya anamwalira ndipo anayikidwa mʼmanda mu mzinda wa Davide. Asa mwana wake anakhala mfumu mʼmalo mwake ndipo pa masiku ake, dziko linakhala pa mtendere kwa zaka khumi.
Asa Mfumu ya Yuda
Asa anachita zabwino ndi zolungama pamaso pa Yehova Mulungu wake. Iye anachotsa maguwa achilendo ndi malo opembedzerapo mafano, anaphwanya zipilala za miyala yachipembedzo ndi kugwetsa mafano a Asera. Asa analamula Yuda kuti afunefune Yehova Mulungu wa makolo awo ndi kumvera malamulo ndi zolamulira zake. Iye anachotsa malo opembedzera mafano ndi maguwa ofukizira lubani mu mzinda uliwonse wa mu Yuda, ndipo mu ufumu wake munali mtendere pa nthawi ya ulamuliro wake. Asa anamanga mizinda yonse yotetezedwa ya Yuda pakuti dziko linali pa mtendere. Panalibe amene anachita naye nkhondo mʼzaka zimenezo, pakuti Yehova anamupatsa mpumulo.
Iye anati kwa Yuda “Tiyeni timange mizinda iyi ndipo timange makoma ndi nsanja, zitseko ndi zotchinga. Dzikoli likanali lathu chifukwa tafuna Yehova Mulungu wathu; tinamufuna Iye ndipo watipatsa mpumulo mbali zonse.” Kotero iwo anamanga ndi kukhala pa ulemerero.
Asa anali ndi ankhondo 300,000 ochokera ku Yuda, okhala ndi zishango zikuluzikulu ndi mikondo, ndiponso ankhondo 280,000 ochokera ku Benjamini, okhala ndi zishango ndi mauta. Onsewa anali ankhondo amphamvu ndi olimba mtima.
Zera wa ku Kusi anapita kukamenyana nawo ali ndi gulu lalikulu kwambiri la asilikali ndi magaleta 300 ndipo anafika mpaka ku Maresa. Asa anapita kukakumana naye ndipo anakhala pa mizere yawo ya nkhondo mʼchigwa cha Zefata pafupi ndi Maresa.
Kenaka Asa anafuwulira Yehova Mulungu wake ndipo anati “Yehova palibe wina wofanana nanu kuti angathandize anthu opanda mphamvu pakati pa amphamvu. Tithandizeni Inu Yehova Mulungu wathu pakuti ife timadalira Inu ndipo mʼdzina lanu ife tabwera kudzalimbana ndi gulu la ankhondo lalikulu kwambiri ngati ili. Inu Yehova ndinu Mulungu wathu, musalole kuti munthu akupambaneni.”
Yehova anakantha Akusi pamaso pa Asa ndi Ayuda. Akusi anathawa, ndipo Asa ndi ankhondo ake anawathamangitsa mpaka ku Gerari. Gulu lonse lalikulu lija la Akusi linaphedwa. Sanapezeke mmodzi wamoyo pakati pawo. Iwo anakanthidwa pamaso pa Yehova ndi asilikali ake. Anthu a ku Yuda anatenga katundu wambiri olanda ku nkhondo. Iwo anawononga midzi yonse yozungulira Gerari pakuti mantha aakulu wochokera kwa Yehova anagwera anthuwo. Analanda katundu wa midzi yonse, popeza kunali katundu wambiri kumeneko. Anakathiranso nkhondo misasa ya anthu oweta ziweto ndipo anatenga nkhosa zambiri, mbuzi ndi ngamira. Atatero anabwerera ku Yerusalemu.
Asa Akonza Chipembedzo
Mzimu wa Mulungu unabwera pa Azariya mwana wa Odedi. Iye anapita kukakumana ndi Asa ndipo anati kwa iye, “Tandimverani, inu Asa ndi Ayuda onse ndi Benjamini. Yehova ali ndi inu, inunso mukakhala naye. Ngati inu mumufunafuna Iye mudzamupeza, koma ngati mumusiya, Iye adzakusiyani. Kwa nthawi yayitali Israeli anali wopanda Mulungu weniweni, wopanda wansembe wophunzitsa ndi wopanda malamulo. Koma pamene anali pa mavuto anatembenukira kwa Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli ndi kufunafuna Iye, ndipo anamupeza. Masiku amenewo sikunali kwabwino kuyenda ulendo, pakuti anthu onse okhala mʼdziko anali pa mavuto aakulu. Mtundu umodzi umakanthidwa ndi mtundu wina ndipo mzinda wina umakanthidwa ndi mzinda wina, pakuti Mulungu amawasautsa ndi mazunzo a mtundu uliwonse. Koma inu, khalani amphamvu ndipo musataye mtima, pakuti mudzalandira mphotho ya ntchito yanu.”
Asa atamva mawu awa ndiponso uneneri wa Azariya mwana wa Odedi, analimba mtima. Iye anachotsa mafano onse onyansa mʼdziko lonse la Yuda ndi Benjamini ndi mʼmizinda yonse imene analanda a ku mapiri a Efereimu. Iye anakonzetsa guwa lansembe la Yehova limene linali kutsogolo kwa khonde la Nyumba ya Mulungu.
Kenaka anasonkhanitsa anthu onse a ku Yuda ndi Benjamini ndiponso anthu ochokera ku Efereimu, Manase ndi Simeoni amene ankakhala pakati pawo, pakuti gulu lalikulu linabwera kwa iye kuchokera ku Israeli litaona kuti anali ndi Yehova Mulungu wake.
Iwo anasonkhana mu Yerusalemu mwezi wachitatu wa chaka cha 15 cha ulamuliro wa Asa. Pa nthawi imeneyi anapereka nsembe kwa Yehova, ngʼombe 700 ndiponso nkhosa ndi mbuzi 7,000 zochokera pa zolanda ku nkhondo zimene anabweretsa. Iwo anachita pangano loti azifunafuna Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo awo, ndi mtima ndi moyo wawo wonse. Aliyense wosafunafuna Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli aziphedwa, kaya ndi wamngʼono kapena wamkulu, mwamuna kapena mkazi. Iwo analumbira kwa Yehova, mokweza mawu, akuyimba malipenga ndi mbetete. Anthu onse a ku Yuda anakondwera pa kulumbirako chifukwa analumbira ndi mtima wawo wonse. Iwo anafunafuna Mulungu mwachidwi, ndipo anamupeza Iye. Kotero Yehova anawapatsa mpumulo mbali zonse.
Mfumu Asa anachotsanso Maaka agogo ake pa udindo wa amayi a mfumu chifukwa anapanga fano lonyansa la Asera. Asa anagwetsa fanolo, naliswa ndipo kenaka anakaliwotcha ku chigwa cha Kidroni. Ngakhale kuti sanachotse malo opembedzerako mafano mu Israeli, mtima wa Asa unali wodzipereka kwathunthu kwa Yehova, masiku onse a moyo wake. Iye anabweretsanso mʼNyumba ya Mulungu zipangizo zasiliva, golide ndi ziwiya zina zimene iyeyo ndi abambo ake anazipatula.
Panalibenso nkhondo mpaka chaka cha 35 cha ufumu wa Asa.
Zaka Zotsiriza za Asa
Mʼchaka cha 36 cha ufumu wa Asa, Baasa mfumu ya Israeli inapita kukathira nkhondo dziko la Yuda. Anamangira mpanda mzinda wa Rama kuletsa aliyense kutuluka kapena kulowa mʼdziko la Asa mfumu ya Yuda.
Ndipo Asa anatenga siliva ndi golide ku malo osungirako a mʼNyumba ya Mulungu ndi ku nyumba yake yaufumu ndi kuzitumiza kwa Beni-Hadadi mfumu ya Aramu imene inkakhala mu Damasiko. Iye anati, “Pakhale pangano pakati pa inu ndi ine, monga zinalili pakati pa abambo anu ndi abambo anga. Taonani, ine ndikutumiza kwa inu siliva ndi golide. Tsopano thetsani mgwirizano wanu ndi Baasa mfumu ya Israeli kuti achoke kwa ine.”
Beni-Hadadi anagwirizana ndi mfumu Asa ndipo anatumiza olamulira nkhondo ake kukathira nkhondo mizinda ya Israeli. Iwo anagonjetsa Iyoni, Dani, Abeli-Maimu ndi mizinda yonse yosungira chuma ya Nafutali. Baasa atamva izi, anasiya kumanga Rama ndipo anayimitsa ntchito yakeyo. Ndipo mfumu Asa anabwera ndi Ayuda onse, ndipo anachotsa miyala ndi matabwa ku Rama amene Baasa amagwiritsa ntchito. Ndi zimenezi Asa ankamangira Geba ndi Mizipa.
Nthawi imeneyi mlosi Hanani anabwera kwa Asa mfumu ya Yuda ndipo anati kwa iye, “Chifukwa chakuti munadalira mfumu ya Aramu osati Yehova Mulungu wanu, gulu la ankhondo la mfumu ya ku Aramu lapulumuka mʼmanja mwanu. Kodi Akusi ndi Alibiya sanali gulu lankhondo lamphamvu lokhala ndi magaleta ochuluka ndi okwera magaleta ake? Koma pamene inu munadalira Yehova, Iye anawapereka mʼdzanja lanu. Pakuti Yehova amayangʼana uku ndi uku pa dziko lonse lapansi kuti alimbikitse iwo amene mitima yawo ayipereka kwathunthu kwa Iye. Inu mwachita chinthu chopusa ndipo kuyambira lero mudzakhala pa nkhondo.”
Asa anamupsera mtima mlosi uja chifukwa cha izi mwakuti anakwiya kwambiri namuyika mʼndende. Pa nthawi yomweyonso Asa anazunza mwankhanza anthu ena.
Ntchito zina za mfumu Asa, kuyambira pachiyambi mpaka kumapeto zalembedwa mʼbuku la mafumu a Yuda ndi Israeli. Mʼchaka cha 39 cha ufumu wake, Asa anayamba kudwala nthenda ya mapazi. Ngakhale nthendayo inali yaululu kwambiri, komabe iye sanafunefune Yehova, koma anafuna thandizo kwa asingʼanga. Ndipo mʼchaka cha 41 cha ufumu wake, Asa anamwalira ndipo anayikidwa mʼmanda pamodzi ndi makolo ake. Iye anayikidwa mʼmanda amene anadzisemera yekha mu Mzinda wa Davide. Anagoneka mtembo wake pa chithatha chimene anayikapo zonunkhira zamitundumitundu, ndipo anasonkha chimoto chachikulu pomuchitira ulemu.
Yehosafati Mfumu ya Yuda
Yehosafati mwana wake analowa ufumu mʼmalo mwake ndipo anadzilimbitsa pofuna kulimbana ndi Israeli. Iye anayika magulu a asilikali mʼmizinda yonse yotetezedwa ya Yuda, ndipo anamanga maboma mu Yuda ndi mʼmizinda yonse ya Efereimu imene Asa abambo ake analanda.
Yehova anali ndi Yehosafati chifukwa mʼzaka zoyambirira anatsatira makhalidwe a Davide abambo ake. Iye sanafunsire kwa Abaala. Koma anafunafuna Mulungu wa abambo ake ndipo anatsatira malamulo ake osati zochita za Israeli. Yehova anakhazikitsa kolimba ufumuwo mʼmanja mwake ndipo Ayuda onse anabweretsa mphatso kwa Yehosafati, kotero kuti anali ndi chuma ndi ulemu wambiri. Mtima wake anawupereka kutsatira Yehova, kuwonjezera apo, anachotsa malo onse achipembedzo ndi mafano a Asera mu Yuda.
Mʼchaka chachitatu cha ufumu wake, iye anatuma akuluakulu ake Beni-Haili, Obadiya, Zekariya, Netaneli ndi Mikaya kukaphunzitsa mʼmizinda ya Yuda. Pamodzi ndi iwo panali Alevi ena: Semaya, Netaniya, Zebadiya, Asaheli, Semiramoti, Yonatani, Adoniya, Tobiya ndi Tobu-Adoniya ndiponso ansembe Elisama ndi Yehoramu. Iwo anaphunzitsa mu Yuda monse atatenga Buku la Malamulo a Yehova iwo anayenda mʼmizinda yonse ya ku Yuda ndipo anaphunzitsa anthu.
Kuopsa kwa Yehova kunali pa maufumu onse a mayiko oyandikana ndi Yuda, kotero kuti sanachite nkhondo ndi Yehosafati. Afilisti ena anabweretsa kwa Yehosafati mphatso ndi siliva ngati msonkho, ndipo Aarabu anabweretsa ziweto: nkhosa zazimuna 7,700 ndi mbuzi 7,700.
Mphamvu za Yehosafati zinkakulirakulira. Iye anamanga malo otetezedwa ndi mizinda yosungiramo chuma mu Yuda ndipo anali ndi katundu wambiri mʼmizinda ya Yuda. Iye anayikanso asilikali odziwa bwino nkhondo mu Yerusalemu. Chiwerengero chawo potsata mabanja awo chinali chotere:
kuchokera ku Yuda, atsogoleri a magulu 1,000;
mtsogoleri Adina, anali ndi anthu 300,000 odziwa nkhondo;
otsatana naye, mtsogoleri Yehohanani, anali ndi anthu 280,000;
otsatana naye, Amasiya mwana wa Zikiri amene anadzipereka yekha kutumikira Yehova, anali ndi anthu 200,000.
Kuchokera ku Benjamini:
Eliada, msilikali wolimba mtima, anali ndi anthu 200,000 amene anali ndi mauta ndi zishango;
otsatana naye, Yehozabadi, anali ndi anthu 180,000 okonzekera nkhondo.
Awa ndi anthu amene ankatumikira mfumu osawerengera amene anawayika mʼmizinda yotetezedwa mʼdziko lonse la Yuda.
Mikaya Anenera Motsutsa Ahabu
Tsono Yehosafati anali ndi chuma chambiri ndi ulemu, ndipo iye anachita mgwirizano wa ukwati ndi Ahabu. Patapita zaka zina, iye anapita kukacheza kwa Ahabu mu Samariya. Ahabu anaphera iye pamodzi ndi anthu amene anali naye, nkhosa zambiri ndi ngʼombe ndipo anamuwumiriza kuti akathire nawo nkhondo Ramoti Giliyadi Ahabu mfumu ya Israeli anafunsa Yehosafati mfumu ya Yuda kuti, “Kodi mudzapita nane kukalimbana ndi Ramoti Giliyadi?”
Yehosafati anayankha kuti, “Ine ndili ngati inu nomwe, ndi anthu anga ngati anthu anu. Ife tikhala nanu limodzi pa nkhondoyi.” Koma Yehosafati anatinso kwa mfumu ya Israeli, “Choyamba mupemphe nzeru kwa Yehova.”
Tsono mfumu ya Israeli inasonkhanitsa aneneri 400 ndipo inawafunsa kuti, “Kodi tipite kukalimbana ndi Ramoti Giliyadi kapena tileke?”
Iwo anayankha kuti, “Pitani, pakuti Mulungu adzawupereka mʼdzanja la mfumu.”
Koma Yehosafati anafunsanso kuti, “Kodi kuno kulibe mneneri wina wa Yehova amene ife tingafunsireko?”
Mfumu ya Israeli inayankha Yehosafati kuti, “Alipo munthu mmodzi amene ife kudzera mwa iye titha kufunsira kwa Yehova, koma ndimadana naye chifukwa sandilosera zabwino koma zoyipa nthawi zonse. Iyeyu ndi Mikaya mwana wa Imula.”
Yehosafati anayankha kuti, “Mfumu isanene motero.”
Choncho mfumu ya Israeli inayitana mmodzi mwa akuluakulu ake ndipo inati, “Kamutengeni Mikaya mwana wa Imula, abwere msanga.”
Mfumu ya Israeli ndi Yehosafati mfumu ya Yuda, atavala mikanjo yawo yaufumu anali atakhala pa mipando yawo yaufumu pabwalo lopunthira tirigu pa khomo la chipata cha Samariya, pamodzi ndi aneneri onse akunenera pamaso pawo. Tsono Zedekiya mwana wa Kenaana anapanga nyanga zachitsulo ndipo analengeza kuti, “Yehova akuti, ‘Ndi nyanga izi udzagunda Aaramu mpaka atawonongedwa!’ ”
Aneneri ena onse amanenera chimodzimodzi kuti, “Kathireni nkhondo Ramoti Giliyadi ndipo kapambaneni, pakuti Mulungu adzamupereka mʼdzanja la mfumu.”
Wauthenga amene anapita kukayitana Mikaya anati kwa iye, “Taonani aneneri ena onse ngati munthu mmodzi akulosera za chipambano cha mfumu. Mawu anunso agwirizane ndi awo ndipo muyankhule zabwino.”
Koma Mikaya anati, “Pali Yehova wamoyo, ine ndidzanena zimene Mulungu wanga andiwuze.”
Iye atafika mfumu inamufunsa kuti, “Mikaya, kodi tipite ku nkhondo kukalimbana ndi Ramoti Giliyadi kapena tileke?”
Iye anayankha kuti, “Kathireni nkhondo ndipo kapambaneni, pakuti mzindawo udzaperekedwa mʼdzanja lanu.”
Mfumu inati kwa iye, “Kodi ndikuwuze kangati kuti ulumbire kuti usandiwuze chilichonse koma zoonadi mʼdzina la Yehova?”
Ndipo Mikaya anayankha kuti, “Ine ndinaona Aisraeli atabalalika mʼmapiri monga nkhosa zopanda mʼbusa, ndipo Yehova anati, ‘Anthu awa alibe mbuye wawo. Aliyense apite kwawo mu mtendere!’ ”
Mfumu ya Israeli inati kwa Yehosafati, “Kodi ine sindinakuwuzeni kuti sandinenera zabwino koma zoyipa zokhazokha?”
Mikaya anapitiriza ndi kunena kuti, “Imvani tsono mawu a Yehova: Ine ndinaona Yehova atakhala pa mpando wake waufumu ndi gulu lonse lakumwamba litayima ku dzanja lake lamanja ndi lamanzere. Ndipo Yehova anati, ‘Ndani amene adzamunyengerere Ahabu mfumu ya Israeli kuti akathire nkhondo Ramoti Giliyadi ndi kukafera komweko?’
“Wina ananena zina, winanso ananena zina.” Pomaliza mzimu wina unatuluka ndi kuyima pamaso pa Yehova ndipo unati, “Ine ndikamunyengerera!”
Yehova anafunsa kuti, “Ukagwiritsa ntchito njira yanji?”
Mzimuwo unati, “Ine ndidzapita ndi kukhala mzimu wabodza mʼkamwa mwa aneneri ake onse!”
Yehova anati, “ ‘Iwe ukamunyengadi iyeyo. Pita kachite zimenezo.’
“Choncho Yehova wayika mzimu wabodza mʼkamwa mwa aneneri anuwa. Yehova waneneratu kuti inu mukaona tsoka.”
Ndipo Zedekiya mwana wa Kenaana anapita pafupi ndi kumenya khofi Mikaya. Zedekiya anafunsa kuti, “Kodi mzimu wochokera kwa Yehova unadzera njira iti pamene unachoka kwa ine kupita kwa iwe?”
Mikaya anayankha kuti, “Udzadziwa pa tsiku limene uzikalowa mʼchipinda chamʼkati kuti ukabisale.”
Pamenepo mfumu ya Israeli inalamula kuti, “Tengani Mikaya ndipo mupite naye kwa Amoni, wolamulira mzindawo ndi kwa Yowasi mwana wa mfumu, ndipo mukanene kuti, ‘Chimene mfumu ikunena ndi ichi; Muyike munthu uyu mʼndende ndipo musamupatse kanthu kalikonse koma buledi ndi madzi pangʼono mpaka nditabwera mwamtendere.’ ”
Mikaya anayankhula kuti, “Ngati inu mukabwera mwamtendere, Yehova sanayankhule kudzera mwa ine.” Ndipo anawonjeza kuti, “Anthu nonsenu, mumve zimene ndanenazi.”
Ahabu Aphedwa ku Ramoti-Giliyadi
Choncho mfumu ya Israeli ndi Yehosafati mfumu ya Yuda anapita ku Ramoti Giliyadi. Mfumu ya Israeli inati kwa Yehosafati, “Ine ndipita ku nkhondo modzibisa koma iwe uvale mikanjo yaufumu.” Kotero mfumu ya Israeli inadzibisa ndipo inapita ku nkhondoko.
Tsono mfumu ya Aramu inalamulira olamulira magaleta kuti, “Musamenyane ndi wina aliyense, wamngʼono kapena wamkulu koma mfumu ya Israeli yokha.” Olamulira magaleta ataona Yehosafati, iwo anaganiza kuti, “Mfumu ya Israeli ndi iyi.” Kotero anatembenuka kukamenyana naye koma Yehosafati anafuwula, ndipo Yehova anamuthandiza. Mulungu anawabweza mʼmbuyo, pakuti olamulira magaleta ataona kuti sanali mfumu ya Israeli, anasiya kumuthamangitsa.
Koma munthu wina anaponya muvi wake mwachiponyeponye ndipo analasa mfumu ya Israeli pakati polumikizira malaya achitsulo. Mfumu inawuza oyendetsa galeta kuti, “Bwerera, undichotse pa nkhondo pano. Ndavulazidwa.” Nkhondo inakula kwambiri tsiku lonse, ndipo mfumu ya Israeli inakhala tsonga mʼgaleta lake kuyangʼanana ndi Aaramu mpaka madzulo. Ndipo pamene dzuwa linkalowa inamwalira.
Yehosafati, mfumu ya Yuda itabwerera mwamtendere ku nyumba yake yaufumu ku Yerusalemu, mlosi Yehu, mwana wa Hanani, anatuluka kukakumana naye ndipo anati kwa mfumu, “Kodi nʼkoyenera kuthandiza oyipa ndi kukonda iwo amene amadana ndi Yehova? Chifukwa cha zimenezi mkwiyo wa Yehova uli pa inu. Komabe, muli zinthu zina zabwino mwa inu, pakuti inu mwachotsa mʼdziko muno mafano a Asera ndipo mwakhazikitsa mtima wanu pa kufunafuna Mulungu.”
Yehosafati Asankha Oweruza
Yehosafati anakakhala ku Yerusalemu, ndipo amayenda pakati pa anthu kuchokera ku Beeriseba mpaka ku dziko lamapiri la Efereimu ndipo anawatembenuzira kwa Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo awo. Iye anasankha oweruza mʼdzikomo, mu mzinda uliwonse wotetezedwa wa Yuda. Ndipo anawawuza kuti, “Muganize bwino zimene mukuchita, chifukwa simukuweruza mʼmalo mwa munthu koma Yehova, amene ali nanu pamene mukupereka chiweruzo. Tsopano kuopsa kwa Yehova kukhale pa inu. Muweruze mosamala, pakuti ndi Yehova Mulungu wathu palibe kupotoza chilungamo kapena kukondera kapenanso kulandira ziphuphu.”
Mu Yerusalemu, Yehosafati anasankha Alevi ena, ansembe ndi atsogoleri a mabanja a Aisraeli kuti aziyangʼanira Malamulo a Yehova ndi kuweruza milandu. Ndipo iwo amakhala mu Yerusalemu. Iye anawalamula kuti, “Inu mutumikire mokhulupirika ndi mtima wanu wonse moopa Yehova. Pa mlandu uliwonse wobwera kwa inu kuchokera kwa abale anu amene amakhala mʼmizinda, mlandu wokhetsa magazi kapena mlandu wosamvera malamulo kapena malangizo kapena ziphunzitso zina, inu muziwachenjeza kuti asachimwire Yehova pakuti mukapanda kutero mkwiyo wake udzakhala pa inu ndi abale anu. Chitani zimenezi ndipo simudzachimwa.
“Amariya, mkulu wa ansembe adzakhala wokuyangʼanirani pa zonse zokhudza Yehova, ndipo Zebadiya mwana wa Ismaeli, mtsogoleri wa fuko la Yuda, adzakhala wokuyangʼanirani pa zonse zokhudza mfumu ndipo Alevi adzatumikira ngati okuyangʼanirani. Muchite molimba mtima ndipo Yehova akhale ndi iwo amene adzachita bwino.”
Yehosafati Agonjetsa Mowabu ndi Amoni
Zitatha izi, Amowabu ndi Aamoni pamodzi ndi Ameuni ena anabwera kudzachita nkhondo ndi Yehosafati.
Anthu ena anabwera kudzamuwuza Yehosafati kuti, “Gulu lalikulu kwambiri lankhondo likubwera kudzachita nanu nkhondo lochokera ku Edomu, ku mbali ina ya Nyanja. Gululi lafika kale ku Hazazoni Tamara” (ndiye kuti Eni-Gedi). Ndi mantha, Yehosafati anaganiza zofunsira kwa Yehova, ndipo analengeza kuti Ayuda onse asale zakudya. Anthu a ku Yuda anabwera pamodzi kudzafuna thandizo kwa Yehova, ndipo anabweradi kuchokera ku mzinda uliwonse wa mu Yuda kudzafunafuna Yehova.
Yehosafati anayimirira pakati pa msonkhano wa Yuda ndi Yerusalemu, pa Nyumba ya Yehova patsogolo pa bwalo latsopano ndipo anati:
“Inu Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo athu, kodi Inu sindinu Mulungu amene muli kumwamba? Inu mumalamulira maufumu onse a mitundu ya anthu. Mphamvu ndi nyonga zili mʼmanja mwanu, ndipo palibe amene angalimbane nanu. Inu Mulungu wathu, kodi simunathamangitse nzika za dziko lino pamaso pa anthu anu Aisraeli ndipo munalipereka kwa zidzukulu za Abrahamu bwenzi lanu kwamuyaya? Iwo akhala mʼdzikolo ndipo anamangira Dzina lanu malo opatulika, nʼkumati, ‘Ngati tsoka litigwera kaya ndi lupanga lachiweruzo, kapena mliri, kapenanso njala, ife tidzayima pamaso panu patsogolo pa Nyumba ya Mulungu ino imene imatchedwa ndi Dzina lanu ndipo tidzalirira kwa inu mʼmasautso athu, ndipo Inu mudzatimvera ndi kutipulumutsa.’
“Koma tsopano pano pali anthu ochokera ku Amoni, Mowabu ndi Phiri la Seiri amene dziko lawo Inu simunawalole Aisraeli kuti alithire nkhondo pamene amabwera kuchokera ku Igupto. Kotero anatembenuka ndi kuwaleka ndipo sanawawononge. Taonani, mmene akutibwezera ife pobwera kudzatithamangitsa mʼdziko limene inu munatipatsa ngati cholowa chathu. Inu Mulungu wathu, kodi simuwaweruza? Pakuti ife tilibe mphamvu zolimbana ndi gulu lalikulu lankhondo limene likutithira nkhondoli. Ife sitikudziwa choti tichite, koma maso athu ali pa Inu.”
Anthu onse a Yuda, pamodzi ndi akazi awo ndi ana ndi makanda, anayima chilili pamaso pa Yehova.
Ndipo Mzimu wa Yehova unabwera pa Yahazieli mwana wa Zekariya, mwana wa Benaya, mwana wa Yeiyeli, mwana wa Mataniya Mlevi, chidzukulu cha Asafu, atayimirira mu msonkhano.
Iye anati, “Tamverani mfumu Yehosafati ndi onse amene amakhala mu Yuda ndi Yerusalemu! Zimene Yehova akunena kwa inu ndi izi: ‘Musaope kapena kutaya mtima chifukwa cha gulu lalikulu lankhondo ili. Pakuti nkhondoyi si yanu, koma ya Mulungu. Mawa mupite mukamenyane nawo. Adzakhala akubwera mokweza kudzera Njira ya Zizi, ndipo mukawapeza kumapeto kwa chigwa cha ku chipululu cha Yeruweli. Sikudzafunika kuti Inu mumenyane nawo pa nkhondo imeneyi. Inu mukhale pa malo anu; imani molimba ndipo onani chipulumutso chimene Yehova adzakupatsani, Inu Yuda ndi Yerusalemu. Musaope, musataye mtima. Pitani kuti mukakumane nawo mawa, ndipo Yehova adzakhala nanu.’ ”
Yehosafati anaweramitsa nkhope yake ndi kugunda pansi, ndiponso anthu onse a Yuda ndi Yerusalemu anagwa pansi ndi kulambira Yehova. Kenaka Alevi ena ochokera ku mabanja a Kohati ndi Kora anayimirira ndipo anatamanda Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli ndi mawu ofuwula kwambiri.
Mmamawa, ananyamuka kupita ku chipululu cha Tekowa. Akunyamuka, Yehosafati anayimirira ndipo anati, “Tandimverani ine anthu a Yuda ndi Yerusalemu! Khalani ndi chikhulupiriro mwa Yehova Mulungu wanu ndipo mudzatchinjirizidwa, khalani ndi chikhulupiriro mwa aneneri ake ndipo mudzapambana.” Atafunsira kwa anthu, Yehosafati anasankha anthu oti ayimbire Yehova ndi kumutamanda chifukwa cha ulemerero wa chiyero chake pamene amapita ali patsogolo pa gulu la ankhondo, akunena kuti:
“Yamikani Yehova
pakuti chikondi chake ndi chosatha.”
Atangoyamba kuyimba ndi kutamanda, Yehova anapereka mʼmanja mwawo anthu a ku Amoni ndi a ku Mowabu ndiponso a ku Phiri la Seiri amene amalimbana ndi Yuda, ndipo anagonjetsedwa. Anthu a ku Amoni ndi a ku Mowabu anawukira anthu ochokera ku Phiri la Seiri, ndipo anawawononga ndi kuwatheratu. Atatsiriza kuwapha anthu ochokera ku Seiri anamenyana wina ndi mnzake mpaka kuwonongana.
Anthu a ku Yuda atafika pa malo oyangʼanana ndi chipululu ndi kuona kumene kunali gulu lalikulu lankhondo, iwo anangoona mitembo yokhayokha itagona pansi ndipo palibe amene anathawa. Choncho Yehosafati ndi anthu ake anapita kukafunkha, ndipo pakati pawo anapeza katundu wambiri ndi zovala ndiponso zinthu zina zamtengowapatali kuposa zomwe akanatha kunyamula. Kunali katundu wambiri kotero kuti zinawatengera masiku atatu kuti amutenge. Tsiku lachinayi anasonkhana ku chigwa cha Beraka kumene anatamanda Yehova. Nʼchifukwa chake malowa amatchedwa chigwa cha Beraka mpaka lero.
Tsono motsogozedwa ndi Yehosafati, anthu onse a Yuda ndi Yerusalemu anabwerera ku Yerusalemu mokondwera pakuti Yehova anawagonjetsera adani awo. Iwo analowa mu Yerusalemu ndipo anapita ku Nyumba ya Mulungu akuyimba azeze, apangwe ndi malipenga.
Kuopsa kwa Mulungu kunali pa maufumu onse a mayiko amene anamva mmene Yehova anamenyera adani a Aisraeli. Ndipo ufumu wa Yehosafati unali pa mtendere pakuti Mulungu wake anamupatsa mpumulo ku mbali zonse.
Kutha kwa Ufumu wa Yehosafati
Choncho Yehosafati analamulira Yuda. Iye anali wa zaka 35 pamene anakhala mfumu ya Yuda ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa zaka 25. Dzina la amayi ake linali Azuba mwana wa Sili. Iye ankayenda mʼnjira za Asa abambo ake ndipo sanapatuke pa zimenezi pakuti anachita zolungama pamaso pa Yehova. Komabe malo opembedzerapo mafano sanachotsedwe ndipo anthu sanaperekebe mitima yawo kwa Mulungu wa makolo awo.
Zochitika zina zokhudza ufumu wa Yehosafati, kuyambira pachiyambi mpaka pa mapeto, zalembedwa mʼbuku la Yehu mwana wa Hanani, zomwe zikupezeka mʼbuku la mbiri ya mafumu a Israeli.
Zitapita izi, Yehosafati mfumu ya Yuda inachita mgwirizano ndi Ahaziya mfumu ya Israeli, amene anachita zoyipa kwambiri. Iye anagwirizana ndi Ahaziya kuti apange sitima zapamadzi zochitira malonda. Atazipanga zimenezi ku Ezioni-Geberi, Eliezara mwana wa Dodavahu wa ku Maresa ananenera motsutsana ndi Yehosafati ndipo anati, “Chifukwa chakuti wachita mgwirizano ndi Ahaziya, Yehova adzawononga zimene mwapangazo!” Sitima za pamadzizo zinawonongeka ndipo sizinapite nʼkomwe kumene zimakachita malonda.
Yehosafati anamwalira nayikidwa mʼmanda pamodzi ndi makolo ake mu mzinda wa Davide. Ndipo Yehoramu mwana wake analowa ufumu mʼmalo mwake. Abale ake a Yehoramu, ana aamuna a Yehosafati, anali Azariya, Yehieli, Zekariya, Azariyahu, Mikayeli ndi Sefatiya. Onsewa anali ana a Yehosafati mfumu ya Israeli. Abambo awo anawapatsa mphatso zambiri za siliva, golide ndi zinthu zina zamtengowapatali komanso mizinda yotetezedwa ya Yuda. Koma iye anapereka ufumu kwa Yehoramu chifukwa anali mwana wake woyamba kubadwa.
Yehoramu Mfumu ya Yuda
Yehoramu atakhazikika pa ufumu wa abambo ake, iye anapha abale ake ndi lupanga pamodzi ndi atsogoleri ena a Israeli. Yehoramu anali wa zaka 32 pamene anakhala mfumu, ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu zaka zisanu ndi zitatu. Iye anayenda mʼnjira za mafumu a Israeli, monga mmene linachitira banja la Ahabu, pakuti anakwatira mwana wa Ahabu. Ndipo anachita zoyipa pamaso pa Yehova. Komabe, chifukwa cha pangano limene Yehova anachita ndi Davide, Yehova sanafune kuwononga banja la Davide. Iye analonjeza kusungira nyale Davide ndi zidzukulu zake mpaka muyaya.
Pa nthawi ya Yehoramu, Edomu anawukira Yuda ndipo anadzisankhira mfumu. Choncho Yehoramu anapita kumeneko pamodzi ndi atsogoleri ake ndi magaleta ake onse. Aedomu anamuzungulira pamodzi ndi atsogoleri ake koma iye ananyamuka ndi kuthawa usiku. Mpaka lero lino Edomu ndi wowukira ulamuliro wa Yuda.
Pa nthawi yomweyi, mzinda wa Libina unawukiranso chifukwa Yehoramu anasiya Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo ake. Iye anamanganso malo opembedzerapo mafano mʼmapiri a Yuda ndipo anachititsa anthu a mu Yerusalemu kukhala osakhulupirika. Choncho anasocheretsa anthu a ku Yuda.
Yehoramu analandira kalata yochokera kwa mneneri Eliya yonena kuti,
“Yehova Mulungu wa Davide abambo ako akuti, ‘Iwe sunayende mʼnjira ya Yehosafati abambo ako kapena Asa mfumu ya Yuda. Koma wayenda mʼnjira za mafumu a Israeli ndipo watsogolera anthu a ku Yuda ndi Yerusalemu kukhala osakhulupirika, monga linachitira banja la Ahabu. Waphanso abale ako, abale a banja la abambo ako, anthu amene anali abwino kuposa iweyo. Kotero tsono Yehova ali pafupi kukantha anthu ako, ana ako, akazi ako ndi zinthu zako zonse, ndi chilango chachikulu. Ndipo iwe udzadwala nthenda yoopsa yamʼmimba, mpaka nthendayo idzachititsa matumbo ako kutuluka.’ ”
Yehova anamuutsira Yehoramuyo mkwiyo wa Afilisti ndi Aarabu amene amakhala pafupi ndi Akusi. Iwo anathira nkhondo Yuda. Analowanso ndi kutenga katundu yense amene anamupeza mʼnyumba ya mfumu pamodzi ndi ana ake ndi akazi ake. Palibe mwana amene anatsala kupatula mwana wake wamngʼono kwambiri, Ahaziya.
Izi zonse zitachitika, Yehova anakantha Yehoramu ndi nthenda yamʼmimba imene inali yosachiritsika. Patapita nthawi, kumapeto kwa chaka chachiwiri, matumbo ake anatuluka chifukwa cha nthendayo, ndipo anafa imfa yopweteka kwambiri. Anthu ake sanasonkhe moto kumuchitira ulemu, monga anachitira ndi makolo ake.
Yehoramu anali wa zaka 32 pamene anakhala mfumu. Iyeyo analamulira mu Yerusalemu zaka zisanu ndi zitatu. Ndipo anamwalira popanda odandawula, nayikidwa mʼmanda mu mzinda wa Davide, koma osati mʼmanda a mafumu.
Ahaziya Mfumu ya Yuda
Anthu a mu Yerusalemu anayika Ahaziya mwana wamngʼono kwambiri wa Yehoramu kukhala mfumu mʼmalo mwake, popeza gulu lankhondo limene linabwera ndi Aarabu ku misasa, linapha ana onse aakulu. Motero Ahaziya mwana wa Yehoramu mfumu ya Yuda anayamba kulamulira.
Ahaziya anali wa zaka 22 pamene anakhala mfumu ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu chaka chimodzi. Dzina la amayi ake linali Ataliya, chidzukulu cha Omuri.
Nayenso anayenda mʼnjira ya banja la Ahabu, pakuti amayi ake anamulimbikitsa kuchita zolakwika. Iye anachita zoyipa pamaso pa Yehova monga momwe banja la Ahabu linachitira, pakuti atamwalira abambo ake, iwo anakhala alangizi ake, kumene kunali kudziwononga kwake. Iyeyo anatsatiranso uphungu wawo pamene anapita ndi Yehoramu, mwana wa Ahabu, mfumu ya Israeli kukachita nkhondo ndi Hazaeli mfumu ya Aramu ku Ramoti Giliyadi. Aaramu anavulaza Yehoramu, kotero iye anabwerera ku Yezireeli kuti akachire mabala amene anamuvulaza ku Ramoti pa nkhondo ndi Hazaeli mfumu ya Aaramu.
Ndipo Ahaziya, mwana wa Yehoramu mfumu ya Yuda anapita ku Yezireeli kukaona Yehoramu mwana wa Ahabu chifukwa anavulazidwa.
Mulungu anakonza kuti Ahaziya akaphedwe pa ulendo wake wokacheza. Ahaziya atafika, iye ndi Yoramu anapita kukakumana ndi Yehu mwana wa Nimisi, amene Yehova anamudzoza kuti akawononge banja la Ahabu. Pamene Yehu ankalanga banja la Ahabu anapeza atsogoleri a ku Yuda ndiponso ana aamuna a abale ake a Ahaziya amene amatumikira Ahaziya, ndipo anawapha. Kenaka anapita kukafunafuna Ahaziya, ndipo anthu ake anagwira Ahaziya pamene amabisala mu Samariya. Anabwera naye kwa Yehu ndipo anaphedwa. Iwo anamuyika mʼmanda, pakuti anati, “Iyeyu anali mwana wa Yehosafati amene anafunafuna Yehova ndi mtima wake wonse.” Kotero panalibe wamphamvu mʼbanja la Ahaziya kuti nʼkukhala mfumu.
Ataliya ndi Yowasi
Ataliya, amayi ake a Ahaziya, ataona kuti mwana wawo wafa, ananyamuka nakapha onse a banja laufumu la Yuda. Koma Yehoseba, mwana wamkazi wa mfumu Yehoramu, anatenga Yowasi mwana wa Ahaziya, momuba ndi kumuchotsa pakati pa ana aamuna a mfumu amene amati aphedwe ndipo anamuyika iye ndi mlezi wake mʼchipinda chogona. Motero Yehoseba, mwana wamkazi wa mfumu Yehoramu, mkazi wa wansembe Yehoyada, yemwe anali mlongo wake wa Ahaziya anamubisa mwanayo kuti Ataliya asamuphe. Mwanayo anakhala mobisala pamodzi ndi iwo mu Nyumba ya Mulungu kwa zaka zisanu ndi chimodzi muulamuliro wa Ataliya.
Mʼchaka chachisanu ndi chiwiri Yehoyada anaonetsa mphamvu zake. Iye anachita pangano ndi olamulira magulu a anthu 100: Azariya mwana wa Yerohamu, Ismaeli mwana wa Yehohanani, Azariya mwana wa Obedi, Maaseya mwana wa Adaya ndi Elisafati mwana wa Zikiri. Iwo anayendayenda mʼdziko la Yuda ndipo anasonkhanitsa Alevi ndi atsogoleri a mabanja a Aisraeli ochokera mʼmizinda yonse. Atabwera ku Yerusalemu, msonkhano wonse unachita pangano ndi mfumu mu Nyumba ya Mulungu.
Yehoyada anawawuza kuti, “Mwana wa mfumu adzalamulira monga ananenera Yehova zokhudza ana a Davide. Tsopano zimene muti muchite ndi izi: Limodzi mwa magawo atatu a ansembe ndi Alevi amene mudzakhale pa ntchito pa Sabata muzikalondera pa khomo, ndi limodzi la magawo atatu likakhale ku nyumba yaufumu ndipo limodzi la magawo atatu likakhale ku chipata cha Maziko ndipo anthu ena onse akakhale mʼmabwalo a Nyumba ya Yehova. Musalole aliyense kulowa mʼNyumba ya Yehova kupatula ansembe ndi Alevi amene akutumikira. Iwo atha kutero chifukwa apatulidwa koma anthu ena onse ayenera kumvera zimene Yehova walamula. Alevi akhale mozungulira mfumu, munthu aliyense ali ndi chida chake mʼmanja. Aliyense amene alowe mʼNyumba ya Mulungu ayenera kuphedwa. Mukhale nayo pafupi mfumu kulikonse kumene izipita.”
Alevi ndi anthu onse a ku Yuda anachita monga momwe wansembe Yehoyada anawalamulira. Aliyense anatenga anthu ake amene ankagwira ntchito pa Sabata ndi amene amapita kukapuma, pakuti wansembe Yehoyada sanalole gulu lililonse kuti lipite. Ndipo Yehoyada anapereka kwa atsogoleri a magulu a anthu 100 mikondo ndi zishango zazikulu ndi zazingʼono zimene zinali za Davide ndipo zinali mʼNyumba ya Mulungu. Iye anayika anthu onse, aliyense ali ndi chida mʼdzanja lake mozungulira mfumu pafupi ndi guwa ndi Nyumba ya Mulungu, kuyambira mbali ya kummwera mpaka kumpoto kwa Nyumba ya Mulungu.
Yehoyada ndi ana ake anatulutsa mwana wa mfumu ndipo anamumveka chipewa chaufumu ndipo anamupatsa Buku la Chipangano namulonga ufumu. Yehoyada ndi ana ake anamudzoza ndipo anafuwula kuti, “Ikhale ndi moyo wautali mfumu!”
Ataliya atamva phokoso la anthu akuthamanga ndi kukondwerera mfumu, anapita ku Nyumba ya Yehova komwe kunali anthuko. Iye anayangʼana, ndipo anaona mfumu itayima pa chipilala chake chapakhomo. Atsogoleri ndi oyimba malipenga anali pafupi ndi mfumuyo, ndipo anthu onse a mʼderali amakondwerera ndi kuyimba malipenga ndiponso oyimba ndi zida amatsogolera matamando. Pamenepo Ataliya anangʼamba mkanjo wake ndipo anafuwula kuti, “Kuwukira! Kuwukira!”
Wansembe Yehoyada anatumiza olamulira magulu a anthu 100 aja, amene amayangʼanira asilikali ndipo anawawuza kuti, “Mutulutseni ameneyu pakati pa mizere yanu ndipo muphe aliyense amene adzamutsata.” Pakuti ansembe anati, “Musamuphere mʼNyumba ya Mulungu wa Yehova,” choncho anamugwira pamene amafika pa chipata cha Kavalo pa bwalo la nyumba yaufumu, ndipo anamuphera pamenepo.
Tsono Yehoyada anachita pangano, iye mwini ndi anthu onse ndiponso mfumu kuti adzakhala anthu a Yehova. Anthu onse anapita ku kachisi wa Baala ndipo anamugwetsa. Iwo anaphwanya maguwa ndi mafano ndi kupha Matani wansembe wa Baala patsogolo pa maguwawo.
Kenaka Yehoyada anayika ansembe, omwe anali Alevi kukhala oyangʼanira Nyumba ya Yehova, amene Davide anawapatsa ntchito yoti azipereka nsembe zopsereza kwa Yehova mʼNyumba ya Mulungu, monga zinalembedwa mʼmalamulo a Mose kuti azitero akukondwera ndi kuyimba monga Davide analamulira. Ndipo anayika alonda a pa khomo pa zipata za Nyumba ya Yehova kuti aliyense amene ndi odetsedwa asalowe.
Iye anatenga olamulira magulu a anthu 100, anthu otchuka, olamulira anthu ndi anthu onse a mʼderalo ndipo anabweretsa mfumu kuchokera ku Nyumba ya Mulungu. Iwo anapita ku nyumba yaufumu kudzera ku Chipata Chakumitu ndipo anayikira mfumu mpando wolemekezeka, ndipo anthu onse a mʼderali anakondwera. Tsono mu mzinda munali bata chifukwa Ataliya anaphedwa ndi lupanga.
Yowasi Akonzanso Nyumba ya Mulungu
Yowasi anali wa zaka zisanu ndi ziwiri pamene anakhala mfumu, ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa zaka makumi anayi. Dzina la amayi ake linali Zibiya wa ku Beeriseba. Yowasi anachita zolungama pamaso pa Yehova nthawi yonse ya moyo wa wansembe Yehoyada. Yehoyada anamupezera iye akazi awiri, ndipo anabereka ana aamuna ndi aakazi.
Patapita nthawi Yowasi anatsimikiza zokonzanso Nyumba ya Yehova. Iye anayitanitsa pamodzi ansembe ndi Alevi ndipo anawawuza kuti, “Pitani ku mizinda ya Yuda ndi kukasonkhetsa ndalama za pa chaka kwa Aisraeli onse zokonzera Nyumba ya Mulungu wanu. Chitani zimenezi tsopano.” Koma Alevi sanachite zimenezi mwachangu.
Choncho mfumu inayitanitsa Yehoyada, mkulu wa ansembe ndipo inati kwa iye, “Kodi nʼchifukwa chiyani simunawuze Alevi kuti asonkhetse ndalama ku Yuda ndi Yerusalemu, msonkho umene anakhazikitsa Mose mtumiki wa Yehova ndiponso gulu lonse la Aisraeli mu tenti yaumboni?”
Ana a mkazi woyipa, Ataliya, anathyola chitseko cha Nyumba ya Mulungu ndipo anagwiritsa ntchito zinthu zopatulika popembedza Baala.
Mfumu italamulira, bokosi linapangidwa ndipo linayikidwa panja pa chipata cha Nyumba ya Yehova. Ndipo analengeza kwa anthu a mu Yuda ndi mu Yerusalemu kuti abweretse kwa Yehova msonkho umene Mose mtumiki wa Mulungu analamulira Aisraeli mʼchipululu. Akuluakulu onse ndi anthu onse anabweretsa zopereka zawo mokondwera ndipo anaziponya mʼbokosi mpaka linadzaza. Nthawi ina iliyonse imene Alevi abweretsa bokosilo kwa akuluakulu a mfumu ndipo akaona kuti muli ndalama zambiri, mlembi waufumu ndi nduna yayikulu ya mkulu wa ansembe amabwera ndi kuchotsa ndalama mʼbokosi muja ndipo amalitenga kukaliyika pamalo pake. Iwo amachita izi nthawi ndi nthawi ndipo anapeza ndalama zambiri. Mfumu pamodzi ndi Yehoyada anapereka ndalamazo kwa anthu oyangʼanira ntchito ku Nyumba ya Yehova. Analemba ntchito amisiri a miyala ndi a matabwa kuti akonzenso Nyumba ya Yehova. Analembanso ntchito amisiri a zitsulo ndi mkuwa kuti akonze Nyumba ya Mulungu.
Anthu amene ankagwira ntchito anali odziwa bwino, ndipo ntchitoyo inagwiridwa bwino ndi manja awo. Iwo anamanganso Nyumba ya Mulungu motsatira mapangidwe ake oyamba ndipo anayilimbitsa. Atamaliza, iwo anabweretsa ndalama zotsala kwa mfumu ndi Yehoyada, ndipo anazigwiritsira ntchito popangira zida za mʼNyumba ya Yehova: ziwiya zogwiritsa ntchito potumikira ndi popereka nsembe zopsereza, komanso mbale ndi ziwiya zagolide ndi siliva. Nthawi yonse ya moyo wa Yehoyada, nsembe zopsereza zinkaperekedwa mosalekeza mʼNyumba ya Yehova.
Tsono Yehoyada anakalamba ndipo anali ndi zaka zambiri. Pambuyo pake iye anamwalira ali ndi zaka 130. Iyeyo anayikidwa mʼmanda pamodzi ndi mafumu mu mzinda wa Davide chifukwa cha zabwino zimene anachita mu Israeli, kuchitira Mulungu ndi Nyumba yake.
Kuyipa kwa Yowasi
Atamwalira Yehoyada, akuluakulu a Yuda anabwera kudzapereka ulemu kwa mfumu, ndipo mfumu inawamvera. Iwo anasiya Nyumba ya Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo awo ndipo anapembedza Asera ndi mafano. Chifukwa cha kulakwa kwawo, mkwiyo wa Yehova unabwera pa Yuda ndi Yerusalemu. Ngakhale Yehova anatumiza aneneri kwa anthuwo kuti awabweze kwa Iye, ngakhale aneneri ananenera mowatsutsa, anthuwo sanamvere.
Kenaka Mzimu wa Mulungu unabwera pa Zekariya mwana wa wansembe Yehoyada. Iye anayimirira pamaso pa anthu ndipo anati, “Zimene Mulungu akunena ndi Izi: ‘Chifukwa chiyani simukumvera Malamulo a Yehova? Simudzapindula. Chifukwa mwasiya Yehova, Iyenso wakusiyani.’ ”
Koma anthuwo anamuchitira chiwembu molamulidwa ndi mfumu ndipo anamugenda miyala ndi kumupha mʼbwalo la Nyumba ya Mulungu. Mfumu Yowasi sinakumbukire zabwino zimene Yehoyada abambo ake a Zekariya anamuchitira, koma anapha mwana wake. Pamene amafa, iye ananena kuti, “Yehova aone zimenezi ndipo abwezere chilango.”
Pakutha kwa chaka, gulu lankhondo la Aramu linadzamenyana ndi Yowasi. Linalowa mu Yuda ndi mu Yerusalemu ndi kupha atsogoleri onse a anthu. Zonse zimene analanda anazitumiza kwa mfumu ya ku Damasiko. Ngakhale kuti gulu lankhondo la Aramu linabwera ndi anthu ochepa okha, Yehova anapereka mʼmanja mwawo gulu lalikulu lankhondo. Chifukwa Yuda anasiya Yehova Mulungu wa makolo awo, chiweruzo chinachitika pa Yowasi. Pamene Aaramu amachoka, anasiya Yowasi atavulazidwa kwambiri. Akuluakulu ake anamuchitira chiwembu chifukwa anapha mwana wa wansembe Yehoyada, ndipo anamupha ali pa bedi pake. Choncho anafa ndipo anayikidwa mʼmanda mu mzinda wa Davide, koma osati manda a mafumu.
Iwo amene anamuchitira chiwembu anali Zabadi mwana wa Simeati, mkazi wa ku Amoni, ndi Yehozabadi mwana wa Simiriti, mkazi wa ku Mowabu. Za ana ake aamuna, uneneri wonena za iye, mbiri ya kumanganso Nyumba ya Mulungu, zalembedwa mʼbuku lofotokoza za mafumu. Ndipo Amaziya mwana wake analowa ufumu mʼmalo mwake.
Amaziya Mfumu ya Yuda
Amaziya anali wa zaka 25 pamene anakhala mfumu, ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa zaka 29. Dzina la amayi ake linali Yehoyadini wa ku Yerusalemu. Iye anachita zolungama pamaso pa Yehova, koma osati ndi mtima wonse. Pamene mphamvu zonse zaufumu zinali mʼmanja mwake, iye anapha akuluakulu amene anapha abambo ake, mfumu ija. Komabe iye sanaphe ana awo koma anatsatira zolembedwa mʼbuku la Mose, mʼmene Yehova analamula kuti, “Makolo sadzaphedwa chifukwa cha ana awo kapena ana kuphedwa chifukwa cha makolo awo. Aliyense adzafera machimo ake.”
Amaziya anasonkhanitsa anthu a ku Yuda ndipo anawapatsa zochita molingana ndi mabanja awo kukhala anthu olamulira 1,000, ndi olamulira 100 pa Ayuda onse ndi Benjamini. Ndipo iye anawerenga amene anali ndi zaka makumi awiri kapena kupitirirapo napeza kuti analipo amuna 300,000 okonzeka kugwira ntchito ya usilikali, okhoza kugwiritsa ntchito mkondo ndi chishango. Iye analembanso ntchito anthu odziwa nkhondo 100,000 ochokera ku Israeli pa mtengo wa makilogalamu 3,400 a siliva.
Koma munthu wa Mulungu anabwera kwa iye ndipo anati, “Inu mfumu, asilikali awa ochokera ku Israeli asapite ndi inu, pakuti Yehova sali ndi Israeli kapena ndi aliyense wa anthu a Efereimu. Ngakhale mupite ndi kuchita nkhondo molimba mtima, Mulungu adzakugonjetsani pamaso pa adani anu, pakuti Mulungu ali ndi mphamvu yothandiza kapena kugonjetsa.”
Amaziya anafunsa munthu wa Mulungu kuti, “Koma nanga za makilogalamu aja a siliva amene ndapereka kwa asilikali a Israeli?”
Munthu wa Mulungu anayankha kuti, “Yehova atha kukupatsani zambiri kuposa zimenezo.”
Choncho Amaziya anachotsa asilikali amene anabwera kwa iye kuchokera ku Efereimu ndipo anawatumiza kwawo. Iwo anakwiyira anthu a ku Yuda ndipo anapita kwawo atapsa mtima kwambiri.
Ndipo Amaziya analimba mtima ndipo anatsogolera gulu lake lankhondo ku Chigwa cha Mchere, kumene anapha anthu 10,000 a ku Seiri. Gulu la ankhondo la Yuda linagwiranso anthu amoyo 10,000, napita nawo pamwamba pa thanthwe ndipo anawaponya pansi kotero kuti onse ananyenyeka.
Pa nthawi imeneyi asilikali amene Amaziya anawabweza ndipo sanawalole kuti achite nawo nkhondo, anakathira nkhondo mizinda ya Yuda kuyambira ku Samariya mpaka ku Beti-Horoni. Iwo anapha anthu 3,000 ndipo anafunkha katundu wambiri.
Amaziya atabwerera kuja anakapha Aedomu, anabweretsa milungu ya anthu a ku Seiri. Ndipo anayika kuti ikhale milungu yake, ankayipembedza ndi kupereka nsembe zopsereza. Yehova anakwiyira Amaziya, ndipo anamutumizira mneneri amene anati, “Nʼchifukwa chiyani mukupembedza milungu ya anthu awa, imene sinathe kupulumutsa anthu ake mʼdzanja lanu?”
Iye ali kuyankhula, mfumu inati, “Kodi ife takusankha iwe kuti ukhale mlangizi wa mfumu? Khala chete! Ufuna kuphedweranji?”
Choncho mneneriyo analeka koma anati, “Ine ndikudziwa kuti Mulungu watsimikiza kukuwonongani chifukwa mwachita izi ndipo simunamvere uphungu wanga.”
Amaziya mfumu ya ku Yuda, atafunsa alangizi ake, anatumiza mawu awa kwa Yowasi mwana wa Yehowahazi mwana wa Yehu, mfumu ya Israeli: “Bwera udzakumane nane maso ndi maso.”
Koma Yowasi mfumu ya Israeli inayankha Amaziya mfumu ya Yuda kuti, “Nthawi ina kamtengo kaminga ka ku Lebanoni kanatumiza mawu kwa mkungudza wa ku Lebanoni kuti, ‘Pereka mwana wako wamkazi kwa mwana wanga kuti amukwatire!’ Koma chirombo cha ku Lebanoni chinabwera ndi kupondaponda mtengo wa minga uja. Iwe ukuti wagonjetsa Edomu, ndipo tsopano ukudzikuza ndi kudzitamandira, koma khala kwanu komweko! Nʼchifukwa chiyani ukufuna mavuto ndi kudzichititsa kuti ugwe pamodzinso ndi Yuda?”
Komabe Amaziya sanamvere pakuti ndi Mulungu amene anakonzeratu kuti awapereke kwa Yehowasi, chifukwa iwo amapembedza milungu ya ku Edomu. Kotero Yowasi mfumu ya Israeli inakamuthira nkhondo. Iye ndi Amaziya anayangʼanana maso ndi maso ku Beti-Semesi ku Yuda. Yuda anagonjetsedwa ndi Israeli ndipo munthu aliyense anathawira kwawo. Yehowahazi mfumu ya Israeli inagwira Amaziya mfumu ya Yuda, mwana wa Yowasi, mwana wa Ahaziya ku Beti-Semesi. Yehowasi anabwera naye ku Yerusalemu ndipo anagwetsa khoma la Yerusalemu kuyambira pa Chipata cha Efereimu mpaka ku Chipata Chapangodya, khoma lotalika mamita 180. Iye anatenga golide ndi siliva yense ndi zida zonse zimene zimapezeka mʼNyumba ya Mulungu zimene ankazisamalira Obedi-Edomu, pamodzinso ndi chuma cha mʼnyumba yaufumu ndipo anatenga anthu ngati chikole.
Amaziya mwana wa Yowasi mfumu ya Yuda anakhala ndi moyo kwa zaka khumi ndi zisanu atamwalira Yehowasi mwana wa Yehowahazi mfumu ya Israeli. Ntchito zina za mfumu Amaziya, kuyambira pachiyambi mpaka pa mapeto, kodi sizinalembedwe mʼbuku la mafumu a Yuda ndi Israeli? Kuyambira nthawi imene Amaziya analeka kutsatira Yehova anthu anamukonzera chiwembu mu Yerusalemu ndipo anathawira ku Lakisi, koma adaniwo anatumiza anthu ku Lakisiko ndipo anamupha komweko. Iwo anabwera naye ali pa kavalo ndipo anayikidwa mʼmanda ndi makolo ake mu mzinda wa Yuda.
Uziya Mfumu ya Yuda
Kenaka anthu onse a ku Yuda anatenga Uziya amene anali wa zaka 16, namuyika kukhala mfumu mʼmalo mwa Amaziya abambo ake. Iye anamanganso mzinda wa Eloti ndi kuwubwezeranso ku Yuda abambo ake atamwalira.
Uziya anali wa zaka 16 pamene anakhala mfumu ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa zaka 70. Dzina la amayi ake linali Yekoliya wa ku Yerusalemu. Iye anachita zolungama pamaso pa Yehova, monga momwe anachitira Amaziya abambo ake. Iye anapembedza Mulungu nthawi ya Zekariya, amene ankamulangiza za kuopa Mulungu amene anamupatsa chipambano.
Iyeyo anapita kukachita nkhondo ndi Afilisti ndipo anagwetsa makoma a Gati, Yabine ndi Asidodi. Ndipo kenaka anamanganso mizinda ya pafupi ndi Asidodi ndi malo ena pafupi ndi Afilisti. Mulungu anamuthandiza polimbana ndi Afilisti ndi Aarabu amene amakhala ku Guri-Baala ndiponso polimbana ndi Ameuni. Aamoni ankabweretsa msonkho kwa Uziya ndipo mbiri yake inamveka mpaka ku malire a dziko la Igupto chifukwa anali wamphamvu kwambiri.
Uziya anamanga nsanja ku Yerusalemu ku Chipata Chapangodya, ku Chigwa cha Chipata ndi pokhotera mpanda, ndipo anayikamo chitetezo. Iye anamanganso nsanja ku chipululu ndi kukumbanso zitsime zambiri chifukwa anali ndi ziweto zambiri mʼmbali mwa phiri ndi ku zigwa. Iye anali ndi anthu amene ankagwira ntchito mʼminda yake ndiponso mʼminda yake ya mphesa mʼphiri ndi malo achonde, pakuti ankakonda nthaka.
Uziya anali ndi gulu lankhondo lophunzitsidwa bwino, lokonzekera kupita ku nkhondo mʼmagulu monga mwa chiwerengero chawo chimene mlembi Yeiyeli ndi Maaseya anasonkhanitsa motsogozedwa ndi Hananiya mmodzi mwa akuluakulu a mfumu. Chiwerengero chonse cha atsogoleri a mʼmabanja oyangʼanira anthu ochita nkhondo chinali 2,600. Pansi pa ulamuliro wawo panali asilikali 307,500 ophunzitsidwa nkhondo, gulu lamphamvu lothandiza mfumu kulimbana ndi adani ake. Uziya anawapangira asilikaliwo zishango, mikondo, zipewa zankhondo, malaya ankhondo achitsulo, mauta ndi miyala yogendera. Mu Yerusalemu anapanga makina okonzedwa ndi anthu aluso amene amagwiritsidwa ntchito pa malo otetezera a pa nsanja ndi pa ngodya kuponyera mivi ndi kugubuduzira miyala. Mbiri yake inamveka kutali ndi ponseponse pakuti anathandizidwa kwambiri mpaka anakhala wamphamvu kwambiri.
Koma pamene Uziya anakhala wamphamvu kwambiri, kunyada kwake kunamuwononga. Iye sanakhulupirike kwa Yehova Mulungu wake, ndipo analowa mʼNyumba ya Yehova kukafukiza lubani pa guwa lofukizira. Wansembe Azariya pamodzi ndi ansembe a Yehova ena 80 olimba mtima anamutsatira. Iwo anatsutsana naye ndipo anati, “Sibwino kuti inu mfumu muzifukiza lubani koma zidzukulu za Aaroni, zimene zinapatulidwa kuti zizifukiza lubani. Chokani pa malo opatulika ano, pakuti inu mwakhala osakhulupirika, ndipo simudzalemekezedwa ndi Yehova Mulungu.”
Uziya, amene anali ndi chofukizira mʼmanja mwake wokonzeka kuti afukize lubani, anapsa mtima. Iye anakwiyira ansembewo. Ndipo ansembe aja akuona patsogolo pa guwa lofukizira lubani mʼNyumba ya Mulungu, khate linayamba pamphumi pake. Azariya, mkulu wa ansembe pamodzi ndi ansembe ena onse atamuyangʼana anaona kuti anali ndi khate pamphumi pake, ndipo anamutulutsa mofulumira. Ndipo iye mwini anafulumira kutuluka, chifukwa Yehova anamulanga.
Mfumu Uziya anali ndi khate mpaka tsiku limene anamwalira. Iye amakhala mʼnyumba ya yekha ngati wakhate, ndipo samalowa mʼNyumba ya Yehova. Yotamu mwana wake ndiye amayangʼanira nyumba yaufumu ndipo ankalamulira anthu a mʼdzikomo.
Ntchito zina za mfumu Uziya, kuyambira pachiyambi mpaka pa mapeto, zinalembedwa ndi mneneri Yesaya mwana wa Amozi. Uziya analondola makolo ake, ndipo anamuyika pamodzi ndi makolo ake ku malo a manda a mafumu, koma osati mʼmanda mwawomo poti anthu anati, “Iyeyu anali ndi khate.” Ndipo Yotamu mwana wake analowa ufumu mʼmalo mwake.
Yotamu Mfumu ya Yuda
Yotamu anakhala mfumu ali ndi zaka 25 ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa zaka 16. Dzina la amayi ake linali Yerusa mwana wa Zadoki. Iye anachita zolungama pamaso pa Yehova, monga anachitira Uziya abambo ake, kupatula kuti iyeyo sanalowe mʼNyumba ya Yehova. Komabe anthu anapitirira kuchita zoyipa. Yotamu anamanganso chipata chakumtunda cha Nyumba ya Yehova ndipo anagwira ntchito yayikulu yomanga khoma la ku phiri la Ofeli. Iye anamanga mizinda mʼmapiri a ku Yuda ndipo anamanganso malinga ndi nsanja mʼmadera a ku nkhalango.
Yotamu anachita nkhondo ndi mfumu ya Aamoni ndipo anawagonjetsa. Chaka chimenecho Aamoni anapereka makilogalamu 3,400, matani 1,000 a tirigu ndiponso matani 1,000 a barele. Aamoni anabweretsa zinthu zomwezi chaka chachiwiri ndi chachitatu.
Yotamu anakula mphamvu chifukwa anayenda molungama pamaso pa Yehova Mulungu wake.
Zina ndi zina zokhudza ulamuliro wa Yotamu, kuphatikizapo nkhondo zake zonse ndi zinthu zina zimene anachita, zinalembedwa mʼbuku la mafumu a Israeli ndi Yuda. Iye anakhala mfumu ali ndi zaka 25 ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa zaka 16. Yotamu anamwalira ndipo anayikidwa mʼmanda mu Mzinda wa Davide. Ndipo Ahazi mwana wake analowa ufumu mʼmalo mwake.
Ahazi Mfumu ya Yuda
Ahazi anali ndi zaka makumi awiri pamene anakhala mfumu ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa zaka 16. Iye sanachite zolungama pamaso pa Yehova, monga momwe anachitira Davide kholo lake. Iye anayenda mʼnjira za mafumu a Israeli ndipo anawumbanso mafano a chipembedzo cha Abaala. Iye amapsereza nsembe ku chigwa cha Hinomu, ndipo anaperekanso ana ake aamuna ngati nsembe yopsereza kutsatira njira zonyansa za mitundu imene Yehova anayithamangitsa pamaso pa Aisraeli. Iyeyo ankapereka nsembe ndi kufukiza lubani pa malo opembedzerapo mafano, pamwamba pa mapiri ndi pansi pa mtengo uliwonse waukulu.
Nʼchifukwa chake Yehova Mulungu wake anamupereka mʼmanja mwa mfumu ya Aramu. Aaramu anamugonjetsa ndipo anagwira ukapolo anthu ake ambiri napita nawo ku Damasiko.
Yehova anamuperekanso mʼmanja mwa mfumu ya Israeli, imene inamuzunza ndi kumuphera anthu ake ambiri. Pa tsiku limodzi, Peka mwana wa Remaliya anapha asilikali 120,000 mu Yuda chifukwa Yuda anasiya Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo awo. Zikiri msilikali wa ku Efereimu, anapha Maaseya mwana wa mfumu, Azirikamu woyangʼanira nyumba yaufumu, ndi Elikana wachiwiri kwa mfumu. Aisraeli anagwira ukapolo abale awo, akazi, ana aamuna ndi ana aakazi okwanira 200,000. Iwo anafunkhanso katundu wambiri amene anapita naye ku Samariya.
Koma kumeneko kunali mneneri wa Yehova dzina lake Odedi, ndipo anapita kukakumana ndi gulu lankhondo pamene linabwerera ku Samariya. Iye anawawuza kuti, “Chifukwa Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo anu anakwiyira Ayuda, Iye anawapereka mʼdzanja lanu. Koma inu mwawapha mwaukali, ukali wake wofika mpaka kumwamba. Ndipo tsopano mukufuna kuti amuna ndi akazi a ku Yuda ndi ku Yerusalemu akhale akapolo anu. Tsono mvereni! Abwezeni abale anu amene mwawagwira ukapolo, pakuti mkwiyo wa Yehova uli pa inu.”
Tsono atsogoleri ena a ku Efereimu, Azariya mwana wa Yehohanani, Berekiya mwana wa Mesilemoti, Yehizikiya mwana wa Salumu, ndi Amasa mwana wa Hadilayi anatsutsana nawo amene ankachokera ku nkhondo kuja. Iwo anati, “Musabweretse akapolowo kuno, pakuti ife tidzakhala olakwa pamaso pa Yehova. Kodi mukufuna kuwonjezera pa machimo athu ndi kulakwa kwathu? Pakuti zolakwa zathu ndi zambiri kale ndipo mkwiyo wake woopsa uli pa Israeli.”
Kotero asilikali aja anawasiya akapolowo pamodzi ndi katundu amene analanda ku nkhondo pamaso pa akuluakulu ndi gulu lonse la anthu. Anthu amene atchulidwa mayina aja anatenga akapolowo, ndipo kuchokera pa zolanda ku nkhondo, anawaveka onse amene anali maliseche. Anawapatsa zovala ndi nsapato, chakudya ndi chakumwa ndi mankhwala. Onse amene anali ofowoka anawakweza pa abulu. Choncho anabwera nawo kwa abale awo ku Yeriko, Mzinda wa Migwalangwa, ndipo kenaka anawabweza ku Samariya.
Pa nthawi imeneyo mfumu Ahazi inatumiza mawu kwa mfumu ya ku Asiriya kupempha chithandizo. Ankhondo a ku Edomu anabweranso ndi kuthira nkhondo Yuda ndi kugwira akapolo. Pamenepo nʼkuti Afilisti atathira nkhondo mizinda ya mʼmbali mwa phiri ndi ku Negevi ku Yuda. Iwo analanda mizindayo nakhala ku Beti-Semesi, Ayaloni ndi Gederoti, komanso Soko, Timna ndi Gimizo pamodzi ndi midzi yawo yozungulira. Yehova anapeputsa Yuda chifukwa cha mfumu Ahazi ya Israeli, pakuti analimbikitsa zoyipa ku Yuda ndipo anali munthu wosakhulupirika kwambiri pamaso pa Yehova. Tigilati-Pileseri mfumu ya ku Asiriya anabwera kwa iye, ndipo anabweretsa mavuto mʼmalo momuthandiza. Ahazi anatenga zinthu zochokera mʼNyumba ya Yehova ndi mʼnyumba yaufumu ndi kwa atsogoleri ndipo anazipereka kwa mfumu ya ku Asiriya, koma zimenezo sizinamuthandize.
Pa nthawi yake yamavutoyi mfumu Ahazi inapitirira kukhalabe yosakhulupirika pamaso pa Yehova. Ahazi ankapereka nsembe kwa milungu ya ku Damasiko, imene inamugonjetsa. Iye ankaganiza kuti, “Popeza milungu ya mafumu a Aaramu yawathandiza, ine ndidzapereka nsembe kwa iyo kuti indithandize.” Koma iyoyo inakhala kugwa kwake ndi kugwa kwa Aisraeli onse.
Ahazi anasonkhanitsa pamodzi zinthu zonse kuchokera mʼNyumba ya Mulungu ndipo anazitenga. Iye anatseka zitseko za Nyumba ya Yehova ndipo anayimika maguwa ansembe pa ngodya iliyonse ya msewu mu Yerusalemu. Mu mzinda uliwonse wa Yuda anamangamo malo achipembedzo, operekerapo nsembe zopsereza kwa milungu ina ndipo anaputa mkwiyo wa Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo ake.
Zochitika zina pa ulamuliro wake ndi machitidwe ake onse, kuyambira pachiyambi mpaka pa mapeto, zalembedwa mʼbuku la mafumu a Yuda ndi Israeli. Ahazi anamwalira ndipo anayikidwa mu mzinda wa Yerusalemu, koma sanamuyike mʼmanda a mafumu a Israeli. Ndipo Hezekiya mwana wake analowa ufumu mʼmalo mwake.
Mfumu Hezekiya Ayeretsa Nyumba ya Mulungu
Hezekiya anali wa zaka 25 pamene anakhala mfumu ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa zaka 29. Dzina la amayi ake linali Abiya mwana wa Zekariya. Iye anachita zolungama pamaso pa Yehova, monga momwe anachitira Davide abambo ake.
Pa chaka choyamba cha ulamuliro wake, iye anatsekula zitseko za Nyumba ya Yehova ndipo anazikonza. Iye analowetsamo ansembe ndi Alevi ndipo anawasonkhanitsa ku bwalo lakummawa ndipo anati: “Mverani, inu Alevi! Dziyeretseni tsopano ndiponso muyeretse Nyumba ya Yehova Mulungu wa makolo anu. Muchotse zodetsa zonse ku malo opatulika. Makolo athu anali osakhulupirika ndipo anachita zoyipa pa maso pa Yehova Mulungu wathu ndi kumusiya Yehovayo. Iwo anatembenuka ndi kusiya malo okhalako Yehova ndi kumufulatira. Iwowo anatsekanso zitseko zapakhonde ndi kuzimitsa nyale. Sanafukize lubani kapena kupereka nsembe zopsereza ku malo opatulika a Mulungu wa Israeli. Kotero, Yehova anakwiyira Yuda ndi Yerusalemu. Iye anawasandutsa chinthu chochititsa mantha, choopsa ndiponso chonyozedwa monga momwe mukuonera ndi maso anuwa lero lino. Ichi nʼchifukwa chake makolo athu anaperekedwa ku lupanga ndipo nʼchifukwa chake ana athu aamuna ndi aakazi ndi akazi athu ali ku ukapolo. Tsono ine ndikuganiza zochita pangano ndi Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli, kuti mkwiyo wake woopsawu utichokere. Ana anga, musanyalanyaze tsopano, pakuti Yehova wakusankhani kuti muziyima pamaso pake ndi kumutumikira Iye, kugwira ntchito pamaso pake ndi kufukiza lubani.”
Ndipo Alevi awa anakonzeka kugwira ntchito:
Kuchokera ku banja la Kohati,
Mahati mwana wa Amasai ndi Yoweli mwana wa Azariya;
kuchokera ku banja la Merari,
Kisi mwana wa Abidi ndi Azariya mwana wa Yehaleleli;
kuchokera ku banja la Geresoni,
Yowa mwana wa Zima ndi Edeni mwana wa Yowa;
kuchokera kwa zidzukulu za Elizafani,
Simiri ndi Yeiyeli;
kuchokera kwa zidzukulu za Asafu,
Zekariya ndi Mataniya;
kuchokera kwa zidzukulu za Hemani,
Yehieli ndi Simei;
kuchokera kwa zidzukulu za Yedutuni,
Semaya ndi Uzieli.
Atasonkhanitsa abale awo ndi kudziyeretsa, iwo anapita kukayeretsa Nyumba ya Yehova, monga inalamulira mfumu, potsatira mawu a Yehova. Ansembe analowa ku malo opatulika a Yehova kukayeretsako. Anatulutsira ku bwalo la Nyumba ya Yehova chilichonse chodetsedwa chimene anachipeza mʼNyumba ya Yehova. Alevi anatenga zimenezo ndi kupita nazo ku chigwa cha Kidroni. Iwo anayamba mwambo woyeretsawu tsiku loyamba la mwezi woyamba ndipo pa tsiku lachisanu ndi chitatu la mweziwo anafika pa khonde la nyumba ya Yehova. Tsono anachita mwambo woyeretsa Nyumba ya Yehova ija masiku asanu ndi atatu, ndipo anamaliza pa tsiku la 16 mwezi woyamba.
Ndipo anapita kwa mfumu Hezekiya ndi kukafotokoza kuti, “Ife tayeretsa Nyumba ya Mulungu yonse, guwa lansembe zopsereza ndi ziwiya zake zonse, ndiponso tebulo limene timayikapo buledi wopatulika pamodzi ndi zinthu zake zonse. Takonza ndi kuyeretsa zinthu zonse zimene mfumu Ahazi anazichotsa mwa kusakhulupirika kwake pamene anali mfumu. Taziyika kutsogolo kwa guwa la Yehova.”
Mmamawa tsiku linalo, mfumu Hezekiya inasonkhanitsa pamodzi akuluakulu a mu mzindawo ndipo inapita ku Nyumba ya Yehova. Iwo anabweretsa ngʼombe zazimuna zisanu ndi ziwiri ndi nkhosa zazimuna zisanu ndi ziwiri, ana ankhosa aamuna asanu ndi awiri, mbuzi zazimuna zisanu ndi ziwiri monga nsembe zoperekedwa chifukwa cha tchimo la ufumu, la malo opatulika ndi Yuda. Tsono mfumu inalamula ansembe, zidzukulu za Aaroni, kuti apereke zimenezi pa guwa lansembe la Yehova. Choncho anthuwo anapha ngʼombe zazimunazo ndipo ansembe anatenga magazi ake ndi kuwawaza pa guwa lansembe, kenaka anapha nkhosa zazimuna zija ndipo anawaza magazi ake pa guwa lansembe; anaphanso ana ankhosa aja ndipo anawaza magazi ake pa guwa lansembe. Mbuzi zoperekedwa chifukwa cha tchimo zija zinabweretsedwa pamaso pa mfumu ndi anthu onse, ndipo anasanjika manja awo pa izo. Kenaka ansembe anapha mbuzizo ndipo anapereka magazi ake pa guwa, kuti ukhale mwambo wofafanizira machimo a Aisraeli onse, pakuti mfumu inalamula kuti nsembe yopsereza ndi yopepesera machimo zichitike chifukwa cha Aisraeli onse.
Iye anayika Alevi mʼNyumba ya Yehova ali ndi ziwaya za malipenga, azeze ndi apangwe potsata lamulo la Davide, Gadi mlosi wa mfumu ndi mneneri Natani. Pakuti Yehova ndiye analamula zimenezi kudzera mwa aneneri. Kotero Alevi anayima okonzekera atanyamula zoyimbira za Davide ndiponso ansembe atanyamula malipenga awo.
Hezekiya analamulira kuti apereke nsembe zopsereza pa guwa. Pamene amayamba kupereka nsembezo, kuyimbira Yehova kunayambikanso, pamodzi ndi malipenga ndi zipangizo zoyimbira za Davide mfumu ya Israeli. Anthu onse anawerama pansi ndi kulambira, pamene oyimba amayimba ndi malipenga. Izi zonse zinapitirira mpaka pa mapeto pa nsembe zopsereza.
Zopereka zitatha, mfumu ndi wina aliyense amene anali naye anagwada pansi ndi kulambira. Mfumu Hezekiya ndi akuluakulu ake analamulira Alevi kuti atamande Yehova potsata mawu a Davide ndi mlosi Asafu. Kotero anayimba nyimbo zamatamando mokondwera ndipo anaweramitsa mitu yawo ndi kulambira.
Kenaka Hezekiya anati, “Inu mwadzipereka tsopano kwa Yehova. Bwerani ndipo mufike ndi nsembe ndi zopereka zachiyamiko ku Nyumba ya Yehova.” Choncho anthu onse anabweretsa nsembe ndi zopereka zachiyamiko, ndipo anthu onse amene anali ofuna mu mtima mwawo anabweretsa nsembe zopsereza.
Chiwerengero cha nsembe zopsereza chimene anthu onse anabweretsa chinali ngʼombe zazimuna makumi asanu ndi awiri, nkhosa zazimuna 100, ana ankhosa aamuna 200 ndipo zonsezi zinali za nsembe yopsereza kwa Yehova. Ziweto zimene zinapatulidwa kukhala nsembe zinalipo ngʼombe zazimuna 600, nkhosa ndi mbuzi 3,000. Koma ansembe anali ochepa kuti asende zonse zopsereza. Choncho abale awo Alevi anawathandiza mpaka ntchito yonse inatha ndipo mpaka ansembe ena atadziyeretsa, pakuti Alevi anachita changu kudziyeretsa kulekana ndi momwe anachitira ansembe. Panali nsembe zopsereza zochuluka, pamodzi ndi mafuta a nsembe yachiyanjano ndi nsembe yachakumwa imene imachitika pamodzi ndi nsembe yopsereza.
Kotero ntchito ya mʼNyumba ya Mulungu inakhazikitsidwanso. Hezekiya ndi anthu onse anakondwera pa zimene Mulungu anachitira anthu ake, chifukwa zinachita mwamsangamsanga.
Hezekiya Achita Chikondwerero cha Paska
Hezekiya anatumiza uthenga mʼdziko lonse la Israeli ndi ku Yuda ndiponso analemba makalata ku Efereimu ndi Manase, oyitana anthu kuti abwere ku Nyumba ya Yehova ku Yerusalemu kudzakondwerera Paska wa Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli. Mfumu ndi akuluakulu ake pamodzi ndi anthu onse a mu Yerusalemu anagwirizana kuti akondwerere Paska pa mwezi wachiwiri. Iwo sanathe kukondwerera pa nthawi yake chifukwa si ansembe ambiri amene anadziyeretsa ndiponso anthu anali asanasonkhane mu Yerusalemu. Chikonzerochi chinaoneka kuti chinali chabwino kwa mfumu pamodzi ndi anthu onse. Iwo anagwirizana zoti alengeze mu Israeli monse kuyambira ku Beeriseba mpaka ku Dani, kuyitana anthu kuti abwere ku Yerusalemu ndi kudzakondwerera Paska wa Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli. Si ambiri amene ankachita chikondwererochi monga momwe kunalembedwera.
Molamulidwa ndi mfumu, amithenga anapita mu Israeli yense ndi Yuda ndi makalata ochokera kwa mfumu ndi kwa akuluakulu ake, olembedwa kuti,
“Aisraeli bwererani kwa Yehova, Mulungu wa Abrahamu, Isake ndi Israeli, kuti abwerere kwa inu amene mwatsala, amene mwapulumuka mʼdzanja la mafumu a ku Asiriya. Musakhale ngati makolo anu ndi abale anu, amene anali osakhulupirika kwa Yehova Mulungu wa makolo awo kotero kuti anawachititsa kuti akhale chinthu chochititsa mantha, monga mukuoneramu. Musawumitse khosi monga anachitira makolo anu, Gonjerani Yehova. Bwerani ku malo opatulika, amene anawapatula kwamuyaya. Tumikirani Yehova Mulungu wanu kuti mkwiyo wake ukuchokereni. Ngati inu mubwerera kwa Yehova, pamenepo abale anu ndi ana anu adzachitiridwa chifundo ndi amene anawagwira ukapolo ndipo adzabwereranso ku dziko lino pakuti Yehova, Mulungu wanu ndi wokoma mtima ndi wachifundo. Iye sadzakufulatirani ngati inuyo mubwerera kwa Iye.”
Amithenga aja anapita mzinda ndi mzinda wa ku Efereimu ndi Manase mpaka ku Zebuloni, koma anthu anawanyoza ndi kuwachita chipongwe. Komabe anthu ena a ku Aseri, Manase ndi Zebuloni anadzichepetsa ndipo anapita ku Yerusalemu. Dzanja la Mulungu linalinso pa anthu a ku Yuda, kuwapatsa mtima umodzi wochita zimene mfumu ndi akuluakulu ake analamula potsata mawu a Yehova.
Gulu lalikulu la anthu linasonkhana mu Yerusalemu kudzachita chikondwerero cha Buledi Wopanda Yisiti pa mwezi wachiwiri. Anachotsa mu Yerusalemu maguwa ofukizira lubani ndipo anakawaponya mʼchigwa cha Kidroni.
Iwo anapha mwana wankhosa wa Paska pa tsiku la 14 la mwezi wachiwiri. Ansembe ndi Alevi anachita manyazi ndipo anadziyeretsa ndi kubweretsa nsembe zopsereza ku Nyumba ya Yehova. Ndipo anakhala mʼmalo awo a nthawi zonse potsatira zolembedwa mʼmalamulo a Mose munthu wa Mulungu. Ansembe anawaza magazi amene anawapatsa Alevi. Popeza ambiri mʼgululo anali asanadziyeretse, Alevi anapha ana ankhosa a Paska a iwo amene, mwa mwambo, anali osayeretsedwa ndipo sakanatha kupereka ana ankhosa awo kwa Yehova. Ngakhale kuti ambiri mwa anthu ochokera ku Efereimu, Manase, Isakara ndi Zebuloni sanadziyeretse okha, komabe anadya Paska motsutsana ndi zimene zinalembedwa. Koma Hezekiya anawapempherera, kunena kuti, “Yehova wabwino, khululukirani aliyense amene wayika mtima wake kufunafuna Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo ake, ngakhale ali wosayeretsedwa molingana ndi malamulo a malo opatulika.” Ndipo Yehova anamvera Hezekiya ndipo anachiritsa anthuwo.
Aisraeli amene anali mu Yerusalemu anachita chikondwerero cha Buledi Wopanda Yisiti kwa masiku asanu ndi awiri akusangalala kwambiri, pamene Alevi ndi ansembe amayimbira Yehova tsiku lililonse, akuyimbira zida zamatamando za Yehova.
Hezekiya anayankhula molimbikitsa Alevi onse amene anaonetsa kumvetsa bwino za kutumikira Yehova. Kwa masiku asanu ndi awiri anadya gawo lawo ndi kupereka nsembe zachiyanjano ndi kutamanda Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo awo.
Ndipo msonkhano wonse unagwirizana zopitiriza chikondwerero kwa masiku ena asanu ndi awiri. Kotero kwa masiku ena asanu ndi awiri anachita chikondwererocho mosangalala. Hezekiya mfumu ya Yuda anapereka ngʼombe zamphongo 1,000 ndi nkhosa ndi mbuzi 7,000 ku msonkhanoko ndipo akuluakulu ake anapereka ngʼombe zamphongo 1,000, nkhosa ndi mbuzi 10,000. Ansembe ambiri anadziyeretsa. Gulu lonse la ku Yuda linasangalala, pamodzi ndi ansembe ndi Alevi ndi onse amene anasonkhana ochokera ku Israeli, kuphatikizanso alendo amene anachokera ku Israeli ndi amene amakhala ku Yuda. Munali chikondwerero chachikulu mu Yerusalemu, pakuti kuyambira masiku a Solomoni mwana wa Davide mfumu ya Israeli sizinachitikepo zotere mu Yerusalemu. Ansembe ndi Alevi anayimirira kudalitsa anthu, ndipo Mulungu anawamvera pakuti pemphero lawo linafika kumwamba, malo ake oyera.
Zonse zitatha, Aisraeli onse amene anali kumeneko anapita ku mizinda ya ku Yuda, nakaphwanya miyala yachipembedzo ndi kudula mitengo ya mafano a Asera. Iwo anakawononga malo achipembedzo ndi maguwa ansembe amene anali mʼdziko lonse la Yuda, Benjamini, Efereimu ndi Manase. Atawononga zonsezi, Aisraeli anabwerera ku mizinda yawo ndi ku malo awo.
Zopereka ku Ntchito ya Chipembedzo
Hezekiya anakhazikitsa magulu a ansembe ndi Alevi, gulu lililonse monga mwa ntchito zawo ngati ansembe kapena Alevi, kupereka nsembe zopsereza ndi nsembe zachiyanjano, kutumikira, kuyamikira ndi kuyimba matamando pa zipata za ku malo okhala Yehova. Kuchokera pa chuma chake, mfumu inapereka nsembe zopsereza za mmawa ndi madzulo ndiponso nsembe zopsereza za pa Chikondwerero cha Masabata, Chikondwerero cha Mwezi Watsopano ndipo inakhazikitsa zikondwerero monga zinalembedwera mʼmalamulo a Yehova. Iyo inalamula anthu amene amakhala mu Yerusalemu kupereka gawo lawo kwa ansembe ndi Alevi kuti iwowo adzipereke ku malamulo a Yehova. Lamuloli atangolilengeza, Aisraeli anapereka mowolowamanja zipatso zoyamba kucha za tirigu, vinyo watsopano, mafuta ndi uchi ndi zonse zomwe nthaka yawo inabereka. Anabweretsa zochuluka kwambiri, chakhumi cha chilichonse. Aisraeli ndi Ayuda amene amakhala mʼmizinda ya Yuda anabweretsanso chakhumi cha ngʼombe zawo ndi nkhosa ndi chakhumi cha zinthu zoyera zoperekedwa kwa Yehova Mulungu wawo, ndipo anaziyika mʼmilumilu. Anayamba kuchita izi mwezi wachitatu ndipo anatsiriza mwezi wachisanu ndi chiwiri. Hezekiya ndi akuluakulu ake atabwera ndi kuona miluyo, anatamanda Yehova ndi kudalitsa anthu ake, Aisraeli.
Hezekiya anafunsa ansembe ndi Alevi za miluyi; ndipo Azariya, mkulu wa ansembe, ochokera ku banja la Zadoki anayankha kuti, “Kuyambira pamene anthu anayamba kubweretsa zopereka zawo ku Nyumba ya Yehova ife takhala ndi zokwanira kudya ndi zina zambiri zosunga, chifukwa Yehova wadalitsa anthu ake, ndipo mulu umenewu ndiye zotsala.”
Hezekiya analamula kuti akonze zipinda zosungiramo za mʼNyumba ya Yehova, ndipo izi zinachitika. Ndipo iwo mokhulupirika anabweretsa zopereka, chakhumi ndi mphatso zopatulika. Konaniya Mlevi ndiye amayangʼanira zinthu zimenezi ndipo mʼbale wake Simei ndiye anali wachiwiri wake. Yehieli, Azaziya, Nahati, Asaheli, Yerimoti, Yozabadi, Elieli, Isimakiya, Mahati ndi Benaya anali oyangʼanira motsogozedwa ndi Konaniya ndi Simei, mʼbale wake. Iwowa anasankhidwa ndi mfumu Hezekiya ndi Azariya mkulu woyangʼanira Nyumba ya Mulungu.
Kore mwana wa Imuna Mlevi, mlonda wa Chipata Chakummawa, amayangʼanira zopereka zaufulu kwa Mulungu, ankagawa zopereka za kwa Yehova ndiponso mphatso zopatulika. Edeni, Miniyamini, Yesuwa, Semaya, Amariya, Sekaniya amamuthandiza mokhulupirika mʼmizinda yonse a ansembe kugawira kwa ansembe anzawo monga mwa magulu awo, aakulu ndi aangʼono omwe.
Kuwonjezera apa, amagawira ana aamuna a zaka zitatu kapena kupitirira amene mayina awo anali mʼmbiri ya mibado yawo, amene adzalowe mʼNyumba ya Yehova kugwira ntchito za tsiku ndi tsiku za magulu awo, molingana ndi udindo ndi magulu awo. Ndipo anazigawa kwa ansembe amene analembetsa mayina awo mwa mbiri ya mabanja awo, chimodzimodzinso Alevi amene anali ndi zaka makumi awiri kapena kupitirira molingana ndi udindo wawo ndi magulu awo. Iwo anaphatikizanso ana onse aangʼono, akazi ndiponso ana aamuna ndi ana aakazi a gulu lonse amene analembedwa mʼmbiri ya mibado yawo iyi, pakuti anakhulupirika pa kudzipatula okha.
Kunena za ansembe, zidzukulu za Aaroni, amene amakhala mʼminda yozungulira mizinda yawo kapena mzinda wina uliwonse, anthu anasankhidwa mowatchula mayina kuti azipereka magawo kwa munthu wamwamuna aliyense pakati pawo ndiponso kwa onse amene analembedwa mʼmbiri ya mibado ya Alevi.
Izi ndi zimene Hezekiya anachita mu Yuda monse, kuchita zabwino, zolungama ndi zokhulupirika pamaso pa Yehova Mulungu wake. Pa chilichonse chimene anachita pa ntchito ya Nyumba ya Mulungu ndi pa kumvera malangizo ndi malamulo, iye anafunafuna Mulungu wake ndipo anagwira ntchito ndi mtima wake wonse. Ndipo zinthu zimamuyendera bwino.
Senakeribu Aopseza Yerusalemu
Zitatha zonse zimene Hezekiya anachita mokhulupirika, Senakeribu mfumu ya ku Asiriya anabwera ndi kuthira nkhondo dziko la Yuda. Iye anazinga mizinda yotetezedwa ya Yuda, kuganiza kuti ayigonjetsa. Pamene Hezekiya anaona kuti Senakeribu wabwera ndipo wakonzeka kuchita nkhondo ndi Yerusalemu, iye anakambirana ndi akuluakulu ake pamodzi ndi atsogoleri a gulu lankhondo za kutseka akasupe ochoka ku kasupe amene anali kunja kwa mzinda, ndipo iwo anamuthandiza. Gulu lalikulu la anthu linasonkhana, ndipo anatseka akasupe onse pamodzi ndi mtsinje umene umayenda mʼkati mwa nthakamo. Iwo ankanena kuti, “Nʼchifukwa chiyani mafumu a Asiriya akabwera kuno adzapeze madzi ambiri?” Kenaka iye anagwira ntchito molimbika kukonza madera ogumuka a khoma ndi kumangapo msanja. Anamanganso mpanda wina kunja kwa mpanda winawo ndipo anamanga zolimbitsa Milo ku mzinda wa Davide.
Iye anasankha atsogoleri a ankhondo olamulira anthu ndipo anawasonkhanitsa pamaso pake pa bwalo la chipata cha mzinda ndi kuwalimbikitsa ndi mawu awa: “Khalani amphamvu ndi olimba mtima. Musachite mantha kapena kutaya mtima chifukwa cha mfumu ya ku Asiriya ndi gulu lalikulu lankhondo limene ali nalo, pakuti ife tili ndi mphamvu yayikulu kuposa imene ili ndi iye. Iye ali ndi mphamvu ya anthu basi, koma ife tili ndi Yehova Mulungu wathu kutithandiza ndi kuchita nkhondo zathu.” Ndipo anthu anapeza chilimbikitso kuchokera pa zimene Hezekiya mfumu ya Yuda ananena.
Nthawi ina, pamene Senakeribu mfumu ya ku Asiriya ndi gulu lake lonse lankhondo anali atazinga Lakisi, iye anatumiza atsogoleri ake ankhondo ku Yerusalemu ndi uthenga uwu kwa Hezekiya mfumu ya Yuda ndi anthu onse a ku Yuda amene anali kumeneko:
“Senakeribu mfumu ya ku Asiriya akuti: Kodi inu mukukhulupirira chiyani, kuti mukukhalabe mu Yerusalemu mutazingidwa? Pamene Hezekiya akunena kuti ‘Yehova Mulungu wathu adzatipulumutsa kuchoka mʼdzanja la mfumu ya ku Asiriya,’ iye akukusocheretsani, kuti mufe ndi njala ndi ludzu. Kodi si Hezekiya amene anachotsa malo opembedzerapo Mulungu ameneyu ndi maguwa ansembe ndi kunena kwa anthu a ku Yuda ndi Yerusalemu kuti, ‘Muzipembedza pa guwa lansembe limodzi ndi kupserezapo nsembe?’
“Kodi inu simukudziwa zimene ine ndi makolo anga tachita kwa anthu a mitundu ina? Kodi milungu ya mitundu imeneyi inatha kupulumutsa dziko lawo kuchoka mʼdzanja langa? Kodi ndi milungu iti mwa milungu ya mitundu ina ya anthuwo, imene makolo anga anayiwononga kotheratu, inatha kupulumutsa anthu ake mʼdzanja langa? Nanga tsono Mulungu wanuyo adzakupulumutsani mʼdzanja langa motani? Choncho inu musalole kuti Hezekiya akunamizeni ndi kukusocheretsani motere. Musamukhulupirire, pakuti palibe mulungu wa mtundu wina uliwonse kapena ufumu wina uliwonse umene unatha kupulumutsa anthu ake kuchoka mʼdzanja langa kapena mʼdzanja la makolo anga. Nanga bwanji Mulungu wanuyo, sadzatha kukupulumutsani kuchoka mʼdzanja langa!”
Atsogoleri a ankhondo a Senakeribu anapitiriza kuyankhula zotsutsana ndi Yehova Mulungu ndi mtumiki wake Hezekiya. Mfumunso inalemba makalata onyoza Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli, ndipo inanena zotsutsana naye izi: “Monga momwe milungu ya anthu a mayiko ena sinathe kuwapulumutsa kuchoka mʼdzanja langa, chonchonso Mulungu wa Hezekiya sadzapulumutsa anthu ake kuchoka mʼdzanja langa.” Kenaka iwo anafuwula mu Chihebri kwa anthu a mu Yerusalemu amene anali pa khoma, kuwaopseza ndi kuwachititsa mantha ndi cholinga choti alande mzindawo. Iwo anayankhula za Mulungu wa Yerusalemu monga anayankhulira za milungu ya anthu ena a pa dziko lapansi, ntchito ya manja a anthu.
Mfumu Hezekiya ndi mneneri Yesaya mwana wa Amozi anafuwulira kumwamba mʼpemphero chifukwa cha zimenezi. Ndipo Yehova anatumiza mngelo amene anadzapha anthu onse odziwa nkhondo ndi atsogoleri ndiponso oyangʼanira misasa ya mfumu ya ku Asiriya. Choncho Senakeribu anabwerera kwawo wamanyazi. Ndipo atalowa mʼnyumba ya mulungu wake, ena mwa ana ake anamupha ndi lupanga.
Kotero Yehova anapulumutsa Hezekiya ndi anthu a ku Yerusalemu kuchoka mʼdzanja la Senakeribu mfumu ya ku Asiriya ndi mʼdzanja la anthu ena. Yehova anawateteza ku mbali zonse. Anthu ambiri anabweretsa zopereka kwa Yehova ku Yerusalemu ndi mphatso zamtengowapatali kwa Hezekiya mfumu ya Yuda. Kuyambira nthawi imeneyo Hezekiya ankalemekezedwa kwambiri ndi mitundu ina yonse.
Kunyada, Kupambana ndi Imfa ya Hezekiya
Pa nthawi imeneyo Hezekiya anadwala ndipo anali pafupi kufa. Iye anapemphera kwa Yehova, amene anamuyankha ndi kumupatsa chizindikiro chodabwitsa. Koma Hezekiya anali ndi mtima wonyada ndipo sanachite molingana ndi kukoma mtima kumene Mulungu anamuonetsera. Choncho mkwiyo wa Yehova unali pa iye ndi pa Yuda ndi Yerusalemu. Koma kenaka Hezekiya analapa za kunyada kwakeko, monga anachitanso anthu a mu Yerusalemu. Choncho mkwiyo wa Yehova sunafike pa iwo pa nthawi ya Hezekiya.
Hezekiya anali ndi chuma ndi ulemu wambiri ndipo anamanga nyumba zosungiramo chuma cha siliva wake ndi golide ndi za miyala yokongola, zokometsera zakudya, zishango ndi mtundu uliwonse wa zinthu zamtengowapatali. Iye anamanganso nyumba zosungiramo tirigu, vinyo watsopano ndi mafuta a olivi, ndiponso anamanga nyumba zodyeramo ngʼombe zosiyanasiyana, ndi makola a nkhosa. Iyeyo anamanga midzi ndipo anali ndi nkhosa ndi ngʼombe zambiri, pakuti Mulungu anamupatsa chuma chambiri.
Ndi Hezekiya amene anatseka ku mtunda kwa kasupe wa Gihoni, ndi kumuwongolera kuti madzi ake apite mbali ya kumadzulo kwa Mzinda wa Davide. Iye ankachita bwino pa ntchito iliyonse imene ankagwira. Koma pamene nthumwi zotumizidwa ndi atsogoleri a ku Babuloni zinabwera kudzamufunsa za chizindikiro chozizwitsa chimene chinachitika mʼdzikomo, Mulungu anamusiya yekha, kumuyesa kuti adziwe zonse zimene zinali mu mtima mwake.
Zina ndi zina zokhudza ulamuliro wa Hezekiya ndi ntchito za kudzipereka kwake zalembedwa mʼmasomphenya a Yesaya mwana wa Amozi, mʼbuku la mafumu a Yuda ndi Israeli. Hezekiya anamwalira ndipo anayikidwa mʼmanda pa phiri pamene pali manda a zidzukulu za Davide. Ayuda onse ndi anthu a mu Yerusalemu anamulemekeza atamwalira. Ndipo Manase mwana wake analowa ufumu mʼmalo mwake.
Manase Mfumu ya Yuda
Manase anali wa zaka khumi ndi ziwiri pamene anakhala mfumu, ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa zaka 55. Iye anachita zoyipa pamaso pa Yehova, potsatira machitidwe a mitundu imene Yehova anayithamangitsa pamaso pa Aisraeli. Iyeyo anamanganso malo opembedzerapo mafano amene Hezekiya abambo ake anawaphwasula; anamanganso maguwa ansembe a Baala ndi kupanga mafano a Asera. Iye amagwadira zolengedwa zonse zamlengalenga ndi kumazipembedza. Manase anamanga maguwa mʼNyumba ya Yehova, mʼmene Yehova ananena kuti, “Ine ndidzakhala mu Yerusalemu mpaka muyaya.” Mʼmabwalo onse awiri a Nyumba ya Yehova anamangamo maguwa ansembe a zolengedwa zonse zamlengalenga. Iye ankakapereka ana ake aamuna ngati nsembe yopsereza ku chigwa cha Hinomu, ankachita zamatsenga, kuwombeza ndi ufiti, ankakafunsira kwa woyankhula ndi mizimu ya anthu akufa. Iye anachita zoyipa zambiri pamaso pa Yehova, kumukwiyitsa Iyeyo.
Manase anatenga fano losema limene anapanga ndi kuliyika mʼNyumba ya Mulungu, zimene Mulungu ananena kwa Davide ndi kwa mwana wake Solomoni kuti, “Mʼnyumba ya Mulungu muno, mu Yerusalemu muno, malo amene ndawasankha pakati pa mafuko onse a Israeli, ndidzakhalamo mpaka muyaya. Ine sindidzachotsanso phazi la Aisraeli kuchoka mʼdziko limene ndawapatsa makolo ako, ngatitu iwowa adzasamalira kuchita chilichonse chimene ndinawalamulira za malamulo onse, malangizo ndi miyambo imene inapatsidwa kudzera mwa Mose.” Koma Manase anasocheretsa anthu a ku Yuda ndi Yerusalemu, kotero anachita zoyipa zambiri kupambana mitundu imene Yehova anayiwononga pamaso pa Aisraeli.
Yehova anayankhula kwa Manase ndi anthu ake, koma iwo sanasamaleko. Kotero Yehova anawatumizira atsogoleri a ankhondo a ku Asiriya amene anagwira Manase ukapolo, anayika ngowe mʼmphuno mwake, namumanga ndi zingwe zamkuwa ndi kupita naye ku Babuloni. Ali pa mavuto akewo anafunafuna kuti Yehova Mulungu wake amukomere mtima ndipo anadzichepetsa kwakukulu pamaso pa Mulungu wa makolo ake. Ndipo atapemphera, Yehova anakhudzidwa ndi kupempha kwakeko ndipo anamvera madandawulo ake. Kotero anamubweretsanso ku Yerusalemu ndi ku ufumu wake. Ndipo Manase anadziwa kuti Yehova ndi Mulungu.
Zitapita izi iye anamanga khoma la kunja kwa Mzinda wa Davide kumadzulo kwa kasupe wa Gihoni ku chigwa mpaka polowera ku Chipata cha Nsomba kuzungulira phiri la Ofeli. Iyeyo anakweza kwambiri khomalo. Anayikanso atsogoleri a nkhondo ku mizinda yonse yotetezedwa ya Yuda.
Iye anachotsa milungu yonse yachilendo ndi fano mʼNyumba ya Yehova komanso maguwa ansembe onse amene anamanga pa phiri la Nyumba ya Mulungu ndi mu Yerusalemu, nazitayira kunja kwa mzinda. Kenaka anabwezeretsa guwa lansembe la Yehova ndi kupereka zopereka zachiyanjano ndiponso zopereka zamatamando ndipo anawuza Yuda kuti atumikire Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli. Komabe anthu anapitiriza kupereka nsembe ku malo achipembedzo, koma kwa Yehova, Mulungu wawo yekha.
Zina ndi zina zokhudza ulamuliro wa Manase, kuphatikiza mapemphero ake kwa Mulungu wake ndi mawu amene alosi anayankhula kwa iye mʼdzina la Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli, zalembedwa mʼmabuku a mafumu a Israeli. Pemphero lake ndi momwe Mulungu anakhudzidwira ndi kupempha kwakeko, pamodzinso ndi machimo ake onse ndi kusakhulupirika kwake, ndiponso malo onse amene anamanga, malo azipembedzo ndi mafano a Asera ndi mafano asanadzichepetse, zonse zalembedwa mʼmbiri ya alosi. Manase anamwalira ndipo anayikidwa mʼmanda mʼnyumba yake yaufumu. Ndipo Amoni mwana wake analowa ufumu mʼmalo mwake.
Amoni Mfumu ya Yuda
Amoni anali wa zaka 22 pamene anakhala mfumu ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa zaka ziwiri. Iye anachita zoyipa pamaso pa Yehova, monga anachitira Manase abambo ake. Amoni analambira ndi kupereka nsembe kwa mafano onse amene anapanga Manase. Koma kusiyana ndi abambo ake Manase, iye sanadzichepetse pamaso pa Yehova. Amoni anawonjeza kulakwa kwake.
Akuluakulu a Amoni anamuchita chiwembu ndipo anamupha mʼnyumba yake yaufumu. Koma anthu a mʼdzikomo anapha onse amene anakonzera chiwembu mfumu Amoni, ndipo anayika mwana wake Yosiya kukhala mfumu mʼmalo mwake.
Yosiya Akonzanso Chipembedzo
Yosiya anali wa zaka zisanu ndi zitatu pamene anakhala mfumu, ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa zaka 31. Iye anachita zolungama pamaso pa Yehova ndi kutsata makhalidwe a Davide abambo ake, osatembenukira kumanja kapena kumanzere.
Mʼchaka chachisanu ndi chitatu cha ulamuliro wake, iye akanalibe wamngʼono, anayamba kufunafuna Mulungu wa Davide abambo ake. Mʼchaka cha khumi ndi chiwiri iye anayamba kuyeretsa Yuda ndi Yerusalemu kuchotsa malo azipembedzo, mafano a Asera, milungu yosema ndi mafano owumbidwa. Maguwa ansembe a Baala anagwetsedwa iye atalamulira. Anadula zidutswazidutswa maguwa ofukizira lubani amene anali pamwamba pake, ndipo anaphwanya mafano a Asera, milungu ndi zifaniziro zake. Anaziperapera ndipo anaziwaza pamwamba pa manda a amene ankapereka nsembe kwa mafanowo. Iye anatentha mafupa a ansembe pa maguwa awo, kotero iye anayeretsa Yuda ndi Yerusalemu. Ku mizinda ya Manase, Efereimu ndi Simeoni mpaka kufika ku Nafutali, ndiponso malo a mabanja owazungulira, iye anagwetsa maguwa ansembe ndi mafano a Asera ndi kuphwanyaphwanya milungu yawo kukhala fumbi ndi kuduladula maguwa ofukizapo lubani mʼdziko lonse la Israeli. Atatero, anabwerera ku Yerusalemu.
Mʼchaka cha 18 cha ulamuliro wa Yosiya, atayeretsa dziko ndi Yerusalemu, Yosiya anatuma Safani mwana wa Azariya ndi Maaseya, wolamulira mzinda pamodzi ndi Yowa mwana wa Yowahazi mlembi wolemba mbiri, kuti akonze Nyumba ya Yehova Mulungu wake.
Iwo anapita kwa Hilikiya, mkulu wa ansembe ndipo anamupatsa ndalama zimene zinaperekedwa mʼNyumba ya Mulungu, zimene Alevi amene anali alonda apakhomo analandira kuchokera kwa anthu a ku Manase, Efereimu ndi onse otsala a ku Israeli ndiponso anthu onse ochokera ku Yuda ndi Benjamini ndi okhala mu Yerusalemu. Ndipo anazipereka mʼmanja mwa anthu amene anasankhidwa kuti ayangʼanire ntchito ya Nyumba ya Yehova. Anthu amenewa ankalipira antchito amene ankakonzanso Nyumba ya Mulungu. Iwo anaperekanso ndalama kwa amisiri a matabwa ndi amisiri omanga nyumba kuti agule miyala yosema ndi matabwa a phaso la nyumba ndi nsichi zomangira zomwe mfumu ya Yuda inalekerera kuti zigwe ndi kuwonongeka.
Anthuwa anagwira ntchitoyi mokhulupirika. Amene ankawayangʼanira anali Yahati ndi Obadiya, Alevi ochokera ku banja la Merari, ndi Zekariya ndi Mesulamu ochokera ku banja la Kohati. Alevi onse amene anali aluso loyimbira zida za nyimbo ankayangʼanira anthu onyamula katundu, namatsogolera anthu onse amene ankagwira ntchito iliyonse yotumikira. Alevi ena anali alembi, akapitawo ndiponso alonda apamakomo.
Buku la Malamulo Lipezeka
Pa nthawi imene ankatulutsa ndalama zimene anabwera nazo ku Nyumba ya Yehova, wansembe Hilikiya anapeza Buku la Malamulo limene linaperekedwa kudzera mwa Mose. Hilikiya anati kwa Safani, mlembi wa zochitika, “Ine ndapeza Buku la Malamulo mʼNyumba ya Yehova.” Iye analipereka kwa Safani.
Ndipo Safani anapita nalo bukulo kwa mfumu ndi kumufotokozera kuti: “Akuluakulu anu akuchita zonse zimene zinapatsidwa kwa iwo. Iwo alipira ndalama zimene zinali mʼNyumba ya Yehova ndipo azipereka kwa akapitawo ndi anthu antchito.” Kenaka Safani, mlembi wa zochitika anawuza mfumu, “Wansembe, Hilikiya wandipatsa ine buku ili.” Ndipo Safani anawerenga bukulo pamaso pa mfumu.
Mfumu itamva mawu a Buku la Malamulo, inangʼamba mkanjo wake. Iye analamula izi kwa Hilikiya, Ahikamu mwana wa Safani, Abidoni mwana wa Mika, Safani mlembi wa zochitika ndi Asaya mtumiki wa mfumu: “Pitani ndipo mukafunse Yehova mʼmalo mwanga ndi mʼmalo mwa otsala a Israeli ndi Yuda za zimene zalembedwa mʼbuku limene lapezekali. Mkwiyo wa Yehova ndi waukulu umene watsanulidwa pa ife chifukwa makolo athu sanasunge mawu a Yehova. Iwo sanachite motsatira zonse zimene zalembedwa mʼbuku ili.”
Hilikiya pamodzi ndi anthu amene anawatuma aja, anapita kukayankhula ndi mneneri wamkazi Hulida, amene anali mkazi wa Salumu mwana wa Tokati, mwana wa Hasira, wosunga zovala zaufumu. Hulida ankakhala mu Yerusalemu, mʼdera lachiwiri la mzindawo.
Iye anati kwa anthuwo, “Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli akuti, muwuzeni munthu amene wakutumani kwa ineyo kuti, ‘Yehova akunena kuti, Ine ndidzabweretsa mavuto pamalo pano ndi pa anthu ake, matemberero onse amene alembedwa mʼbukuli amene awerengedwa pamaso pa mfumu ya Yuda. Chifukwa iwo anasiya Ine ndi kufukiza lubani kwa milungu ina ndi kuwutsa mkwiyo wanga ndi zonse zimene manja awo anapanga, mkwiyo wanga udzatsanulidwa pamalo pano ndipo sudzazimitsidwa.’ Uzani mfumu ya Yuda imene yakutumani kuti mudzafunse kwa Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli, ‘Chimene Yehova, Mulungu wa Israeli akunena mokhudzana ndi mawu amene mwamva ndi ichi: Pakuti mtima wako walapa, ndipo wadzichepetsa wekha pamaso pa Mulungu pamene unamva zimene Iye ananena motsutsa malo ano ndi anthu ake, ndipo chifukwa iwe unadzichepetsa wekha pamaso pa Ine ndi kungʼamba zovala zako ndi kulira pamaso panga, ndamva pemphero lako, atero Yehova. Tsono Ine ndidzakutengera kwa makolo ako, ndipo udzayikidwa mʼmanda mwamtendere. Maso ako sadzaona mavuto onse amene Ine ndidzabweretsa pa malo ano ndi pa iwo amene amakhala pano.’ ”
Choncho iwo anatenga yankho lakelo ndi kubwerera kwa mfumu.
Ndipo mfumu inasonkhanitsa pamodzi akuluakulu onse a Yuda ndi Yerusalemu. Iye anapita ku Nyumba ya Yehova pamodzi ndi anthu a Yuda, anthu a mu Yerusalemu, ansembe ndi Alevi, anthu onse kuyambira wamngʼono mpaka wamkulu. Iye anawerenga pamaso pawo mawu onse a Buku la Chipangano, limene linapezeka mʼNyumba ya Yehova. Mfumu inayimirira pa chipilala chake ndipo inachitanso pangano pamaso pa Yehova: kutsatira Yehova, ndi kusunga malamulo ake, machitidwe ake ndi malangizo ake ndi mtima wake wonse ndi moyo wake wonse, ndi kumvera mawu a pangano olembedwa mʼbukulo.
Tsono Yosiya anawuza aliyense amene anali mu Yerusalemu ndi Benjamini kuti azisunga panganoli. Anthu a mu Yerusalemu anachita izi motsata pangano la Mulungu, Mulungu wa makolo awo.
Yosiya anachotsa mafano onse onyansa mʼdziko lonse limene linali la Aisraeli ndipo anawuza onse amene anali mu Israeli kutumikira Yehova Mulungu wawo. Pa masiku onse a moyo wake, iye sanaleke kutsatira Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo awo.
Yosiya Achita Chikondwerero cha Paska
Yosiya anachita chikondwerero cha Paska wa Yehova mu Yerusalemu, ndipo mwana wankhosa wa Paska anaphedwa pa tsiku la khumi ndi chinayi la mwezi woyamba. Iye anasankha ansembe pa maudindo awo ndipo anawalimbikitsa pa ntchito ya mʼnyumba ya Yehova. Iye anati kwa Alevi amene amalangiza Aisraeli onse omwe anadzipatula kwa Yehova: Ikani bokosi lopatulika mʼNyumba ya Mulungu amene Solomoni mwana wa Davide mfumu ya Israeli anamanga. Lisamanyamulidwe pa mapewa anu. Tsopano tumikirani Yehova Mulungu wanu ndi anthu ake Aisraeli. Mukhale mʼmagulu anu molingana ndi mabanja anu, molingana ndi momwe analembera Davide mfumu ya Israeli ndiponso mwana wake Solomoni.
“Muziyima ku malo opatulika pamodzi ndi gulu la Alevi oyimira gulu lililonse lalingʼono la mabanja a abale anu amene ndi anthu wamba. Muzipha ana ankhosa a Paska, muzidzipatula nokha ndi kuwakonzera abale anu ana ankhosa awo, kuchita zimene Yehova analamulira mwa Mose.”
Yosiya anapereka kwa anthu wamba onse ana ankhosa ndi ana ambuzi okwanira 30,000 ndi ngʼombe zazimuna 3,000, zopereka za Paska zonse zochokera pa chuma chake cha mfumu.
Akuluakulu akenso anapereka mwaufulu kwa anthu ndi kwa ansembe ndi Alevi. Hilikiya, Zekariya ndi Yehieli oyangʼanira ntchito ya mʼNyumba ya Mulungu anapereka kwa ansembe zopereka za Paska 2,600 ndi ngʼombe 300. Konaniya nayenso pamodzi ndi Semaya ndi Netaneli, abale ake ndi Hasabiya, Yeiyeli ndi Yozabadi, atsogoleri a Alevi, anapereka nsembe za Paska 5,000 ndi ngʼombe 500 kwa Alevi.
Mwambo unakonzedwa ndipo ansembe anayima pamalo pawo pamodzi ndi Alevi mʼmagulu awo monga mfumu inalamulira. Ana ankhosa a Paska anaphedwa ndipo ansembe anawaza magazi amene anaperekedwa kwa iwo pamene Alevi anali kusenda nyamazo. Iwo anayika padera nsembe zopsereza kuti azipereke kwa magulu angʼonoangʼono a mabanja a anthu kuti apereke kwa Yehova monga zinalembedwa mʼbuku la Mose. Ndipo anachita chimodzimodzi ndi ngʼombe. Anawotcha nyama za Paska monga momwe zinalembedwera ndi kuwiritsa zopereka zopatulika mʼmiphika, mʼmitsuko ndi mʼziwaya ndipo anazipereka mofulumira kwa anthu onse. Izi zitatha, anakonza zawo ndi za ansembe chifukwa ansembe, zidzukulu za Aaroni, anali otanganidwa kupereka nsembe zopsereza ndi mafuta a nyama mpaka madzulo. Choncho Alevi amakonza zawo ndi za ansembe, ana a Aaroni.
Anthu oyimba nyimbo, zidzukulu za Asafu, anali pa malo awo potsata zomwe analemba Davide, Asafu, Hemani ndi Yedutuni mlosi wa mfumu. Alonda apazipata anali pa chipata chilichonse ndipo kunali kosafunika kuti achoke pa ntchito yawo, poti abale awo Alevi ankawakonzera zonse.
Kotero pa nthawi imeneyi ntchito yonse ya Yehova ya chikondwerero cha Paska ndi nsembe zopsereza pa guwa la Yehova inachitika monga analamulira mfumu Yosiya. Aisraeli amene analipo anachita chikondwerero cha Paska pa nthawi imeneyi ndi kuchita mwambo wa chikondwerero cha Buledi Wopanda Yisiti, kwa masiku asanu ndi awiri. Paska yofanana ndi iyi sinachitikepo ku Israeli kuyambira nthawi ya Samueli ndipo palibe mmodzi mwa mafumu a Israeli anachitapo chikondwerero cha Paska ngati anachitira Yosiya pamodzi ndi ansembe, Alevi ndi Ayuda onse ndi Aisraeli amene anali pamodzi ndi anthu a mu Yerusalemu. Chikondwerero cha Paska ichi chinachitika mʼchaka cha 18 cha ulamuliro wa Yosiya.
Imfa ya Yosiya
Zimenezi zitachitika, pamene Yosiya anakonzanso Nyumba ya Mulungu, Neko mfumu ya Igupto inapita kukachita nkhondo ku Karikemesi ku mtsinje wa Yufurate, ndipo Yosiya anapita kukamenyana naye. Koma Neko anatumiza amithenga kwa iye kunena kuti, “Kodi pali mkangano wanji pakati pa iwe ndi ine, iwe mfumu ya Yuda? Ine sindikuthira nkhondo iwe pa nthawi ino, koma nyumba imene ndili nayo pa nkhondo. Mulungu wandiwuza kuti ndifulumize choncho leka kutsutsana ndi Mulungu amene ali ndi ine, mwina adzakuwononga.”
Komabe Yosiya sanatembenuke kumusiya iyeyo, koma anadzizimbayitsa ndi kukalowa mʼnkhondo. Iye sanamvere zimene Neko ananena molamulidwa ndi Mulungu koma anapita kukamenyana naye ku chigwa ku Megido.
Anthu oponya mivi analasa mfumu Yosiya, ndipo iye anawuza akuluakulu ake, “Chotseni. Ndavulazidwa kwambiri.” Choncho anamuchotsa iye mʼgaleta lake, ndipo anamuyika mʼgaleta lina limene anali nalo ndipo anabwera naye ku Yerusalemu kumene anamwalirira. Iye anayikidwa mʼmanda a makolo ake. Ndipo Ayuda ndi Yerusalemu yense anamulira.
Yeremiya anapeka nyimbo za maliro chifukwa cha Yosiya, ndipo mpaka lero lino amuna ndi akazi onse oyimba amakumbukira Yosiya pa nyimbo zawo za maliro. Izi zinakhala mwambo mu Israeli ndipo zinalembedwa mʼNyimbo za Maliro.
Zochitika zina za ulamuliro wa Yosiya ndi ntchito za kudzipereka kwake, monga zinalembedwa mʼMalamulo a Yehova, zochitika zonse, kuyambira pachiyambi mpaka pa mapeto, zalembedwa mʼbuku la mafumu a Israeli ndi Yuda.
Tsono anthu a mʼdzikomo anatenga Yehowahazi mwana wa Yosiya namuyika kukhala mfumu mu Yerusalemu mʼmalo mwa abambo ake.
Yehowahazi Mfumu ya Yuda
Yowahazi anali wa zaka 23 pamene anakhala mfumu ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa miyezi itatu. Mfumu ya Igupto inamuchotsa pa udindo wa ufumu mu Yerusalemu ndipo inakhometsa msonkho dziko la Yuda wa makilogalamu 3,400 asiliva ndi agolide. Mfumu ya Igupto inakhazika Eliyakimu, mʼbale wake wa Yehowahazi kukhala mfumu ya Yuda ndi Yerusalemu ndipo anasintha dzina la Eliyakimu kukhala Yehoyakimu. Koma Neko anatenga Yowahazi mʼbale wake wa Eliyakimu ndi kupita naye ku Igupto.
Yehoyakimu Mfumu ya Yuda
Yehoyakimu anali wa zaka 25 pamene anakhala mfumu, ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu zaka 11. Iye anachita zoyipa pamaso pa Yehova Mulungu wake. Nebukadinezara, mfumu ya ku Babuloni anachita naye nkhondo ndipo anamumanga ndi zingwe zamkuwa ndi kumutenga kupita naye ku Babuloni. Nebukadinezara anatenganso zipangizo za ku Nyumba ya Yehova kupita nazo ku Babuloni ndipo anaziyika mʼnyumba ya Mulungu wake kumeneko.
Zochitika zina za pa ulamuliro wa Yehoyakimu, zinthu zonyansa zimene anachita ndi zonse zinapezeka kuti zinali zomutsutsa zalembedwa mʼbuku la mafumu a Israeli ndi Yuda. Ndipo Yehoyakini mwana wake analowa ufumu mʼmalo mwake.
Yehoyakini Mfumu ya Yuda
Yehoyakini anali ndi zaka 21 pamene anakhala mfumu ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu kwa miyezi itatu ndi masiku khumi. Iye anachita zoyipa pamaso pa Yehova. Nthawi ya mphukira, mfumu Nebukadinezara inayitanitsa Yehoyakini ndipo inapita naye ku Babuloni, pamodzi ndi ziwiya zamtengowapatali za mʼNyumba ya Mulungu wa Yehova, ndipo anayika Zedekiya malume wake kukhala mfumu ya Yuda ndi Yerusalemu.
Zedekiya Mfumu ya Yuda
Zedekiya anali ndi zaka 21 pamene ankakhala mfumu, ndipo analamulira mu Yerusalemu zaka 11. Iye anachita zoyipa pamaso pa Yehova Mulungu wake ndipo sanadzichepetse yekha pamaso pa mneneri Yeremiya amene ankayankhula mawu a Yehova. Iye anawukiranso mfumu Nebukadinezara amene anamulumbiritsa mʼdzina la Mulungu. Iyeyo anali wosamva ndipo anawumitsa mtima wake. Sanatembenukire kwa Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli. Kuwonjezera apo, atsogoleri onse a ansembe ndi anthu ena anapitirapitira kukhala osakhulupirika, kutsatira machitidwe onse onyansa a mitundu ina ndi kudetsa Nyumba ya Yehova Mulungu wawo, imene anayipatula mu Yerusalemu.
Kugwetsedwa kwa Yerusalemu
Yehova, Mulungu wa makolo awo, ankatumiza mawu kwa iwo kudzera kwa amithenga ake kawirikawiri, chifukwa ankawamvera chisoni anthu ake ndi malo ake okhalapo. Koma iwo ananyoza amithenga a Mulungu, anapeputsa mawu awo ndipo ankaseka aneneri ake mpaka anawutsa mkwiyo wa Yehova pa anthu ake ndipo panalibenso mankhwala owachiritsa. Yehova anabweretsa mfumu ya anthu a ku Babuloni, imene inapha anyamata awo ndi lupanga ku malo opatulika, ndipo sanasiye kaya mnyamata kapena mtsikana, wamkulu kapena wokalamba. Mulungu anapereka onsewo kwa Nebukadinezara. Iye ananyamula kupita nazo ku Babuloni zipangizo zonse za mʼNyumba ya Yehova Mulungu wawo, zazikulu ndi zazingʼono zomwe, ndi chuma cha mʼNyumba ya Yehova ndiponso chuma cha mfumu ndi akuluakulu ake. Iwo anayatsa moto Nyumba ya Mulungu, ndipo anagwetsa makoma a Yerusalemu. Anatentha moto nyumba zonse zaufumu ndipo anawononga chilichonse chimene chinali chofunika.
Iye anagwira ukapolo anthu otsala amene anapulumuka ku lupanga ndi kupita nawo ku Babuloni, ndipo anakhala antchito ake ndi ana ake mpaka pamene ufumu wa Peresiya unakhazikitsidwa. Dziko linakondwera ndi masabata ake. Pa nthawi yonse ya chipasuko chake nthaka inapuma, mpaka zaka 70 zinakwana pokwaniritsa mawu a Yehova amene anayankhula kudzera mwa Yeremiya.
Mʼchaka choyamba cha Koresi mfumu ya Peresiya, pofuna kukwaniritsa mawu a Yehova amene anayankhula kudzera mwa Yeremiya, Yehova anakhudza mtima wa mfumu ya Peresiya kuti alengeze mu ufumu wake wonse ndipo anazilemba:
Chimene mfumu Koresi ya Peresiya ikunena ndi ichi:
“Yehova, Mulungu wakumwamba wandipatsa ine mafumu onse a dziko lapansi ndipo wandisankha kuti ndimumangire Nyumba ya Mulungu ku Yerusalemu ku Yuda. Aliyense wa anthu ake pakati panu, Yehova Mulungu wake akhale naye, ndipo apite.”