Incwadi YeBhayibheli Ye-12—2 AmaKhosi

Umlobi: UJeremiya

Yalotshelwa: EJerusalema naseGibithe

Ukuloba Kwaphela: 580 B.C.E.

Isikhathi Esihlanganisiwe: Cishe ngo-920–580 B.C.E.

 1. Imiphi imilando elandiswa encwadini yamaKhosi esiBili, futhi yini elwelwayo?

INCWADI yamaKhosi esiBili iyaqhubeka ilandelela inkambo enesiyaluyalu yombuso wakwaIsrayeli nowakwaJuda. UElisha wacosha ingubo kaEliya yamahlombe futhi wabusiswa ngezingxenye ezimbili zomoya kaEliya, enza izimangaliso ezingu-16, ezidlula ezingu-⁠8 zikaEliya. Waqhubeka eprofetha ngenhlekelele eyayiyokwehlela uIsrayeli ohlubukayo, lapho kunguJehu kuphela owabonisa ukushisekela uJehova isikhashana. Amakhosi akwaIsrayeli aqhubeka ecwila ngokwengeziwe ebubini, kwaze kwaba yilapho ekugcineni umbuso wasenyakatho uwa phambi kwabaseAsiriya ngo-740 B.C.E. Embusweni waseningizimu wakwaJuda, amakhosi ambalwa avelele, ngokuphawulekayo uJehoshafati, uJehowashi, uHezekiya, noJosiya, alinqanda okwesikhashana igagasi lokuhlubuka, kodwa ekugcineni uNebukadinesari wakhipha isahlulelo sikaJehova ngokuchitha iJerusalema, ithempeli lalo, nezwe lakwaJuda ngo-607 B.C.E. Kanjalo iziprofetho zikaJehova zagcwaliseka, nezwi lakhe lalwelwa!

 2. Yini engashiwo ngokuqondene nokubhalwa kwencwadi yamaKhosi esiBili nokuba kwayo ingxenye yohlu lwezincwadi zeBhayibheli, futhi ihlanganisa yiphi inkathi?

² Njengoba ekuqaleni incwadi yamaKhosi esiBili yayiyingxenye yomqulu owodwa kanye neyamaKhosi okuQala, osekushiwo ngokuqondene nokubhalwa kwayo nguJeremiya kusebenza ngendlela efanayo nalapha, njengoba kunjalo nangobufakazi bokuba kwalencwadi ingxenye yohlu lwezincwadi zeBhayibheli nobuqiniso bayo. Yaqedwa cishe ngo-580 B.C.E. futhi ihlanganisa inkathi eqala ngokubusa kuka-Ahaziya wakwaIsrayeli cishe ngo-920 B.C.E. futhi iphele ngonyaka ka-37 wokuthunjwa kukaJehoyakini, ngo-580 B.C.E.​—⁠1:⁠1; 25:⁠27.

 3. Imiphi imivubukulo ephawulekayo esekela incwadi yamaKhosi esiBili?

³ Imivubukulo esekela umlando wencwadi yamaKhosi esiBili inikeza ubufakazi obengeziwe bokuba iqiniso kwawo. Ngokwesibonelo, kukhona iTshe LakwaMowabi elidumile, elimbhalo walo unikeza ukulandisa kwenkosi yakwaMowabi uMesha ngempi eyayiphakathi kukaMowabi noIsrayeli. (3:​4, 5) Kukhona futhi umbhoxo webasalt emnyama kaShalimaneseri III waseAsiriya, manje okubukiswa ngawo eMnyuziyamu WaseBrithani eLondon, ogagula inkosi yakwaIsrayeli uJehu ngegama. Kunemibhalo yenkosi yaseAsiriya uThigilati-Phileseri III (Pul), ephawula amagama amakhosi amaningana akwaIsrayeli nawakwaJuda, kuhlanganise noMenahemu, uAhazi, noPeka.​—⁠15:​19, 20; 16:​5-⁠8.a

 4. Yini efakazela ukuthi incwadi yamaKhosi esiBili iyingxenye ebalulekile yemiBhalo ephefumlelwe?

⁴ Ubufakazi obucacile bobuqiniso balencwadi butholakala endleleni engagwegwesi ngokuvelele echaza ngayo ukukhipha kukaJehova izahlulelo zakhe kubantu bakhe siqu. Njengoba okokuqala umbuso wakwaIsrayeli bese kuba owakwaJuda iba incithakalo, sicaciselwa ngamandla esahlulelo sikaJehova esingokwesiprofetho esikuDuteronomi 28:​15–29:​28. Ekubhujisweni kwaleyomibuso, “intukuthelo kaJehova yavuthela lelizwe ukuba alehlisele zonke iziqalekiso ezilotshwé kulencwadi.” (Dut. 29:​27; 2 AmaKh. 17:​18; 25:​1, 9-11) Ezinye izenzakalo ezilotshwe encwadini yamaKhosi esiBili zichazwe kwezinye izindawo emiBhalweni. KuLuka 4:​24-27, ngemva kokuba uJesu ekhulume ngoEliya nangomfelokazi waseSarepita, ukhuluma ngoElisha nangoNahamani ekuboniseni isizathu sokuba angamukelwa njengomprofethi endaweni yakubo. Kanjalo, zombili izincwadi zamaKhosi okuQala nawesiBili zibonakala ziyingxenye ebalulekile yemiBhalo Engcwele.

OKUQUKETHWE INCWADI YAMAKHOSI ESIBILI

 5. Ikuphi ukusola nesigwebo uEliya akukhipha kuAhaziya, futhi ngani?

⁵ UAhaziya, inkosi yakwaIsrayeli (1:​1-18). Ngenxa yokuwa lapho isemzini wayo, lendodana ka-Ahabi iyagula. Ithumela ukuba kuyobuzwa kuBali-Zebubi, unkulunkulu wase-Ekroni, ukuthi izolulama yini. UEliya uvimba izithunywa futhi uzibuyisela emuva enkosini, eyisola ngokungabuzi kuNkulunkulu weqiniso futhi eyitshela ukuthi ngenxa yokuthi ayibuzanga kuNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli, izokufa nakanjani. Lapho inkosi ithumela induna namadoda angu-50 ukuba bayolanda uEliya futhi bamlethe kuyo, uEliya ubiza umlilo ezulwini ukuba ubaqothule. Kwenzeka okufanayo enduneni yesibili nabangu-50 bayo. Kuthunyelwa induna yesithathu nabangu-50, futhi kulokhu uEliya uyabayeka ngenxa yesicelo senhlonipho senduna. UEliya uhamba nabo ukuya enkosini futhi uyaphinda ukhipha isigwebo sokufa kuAhaziya. Inkosi iyafa njengoba nje uEliya ayeshilo. Khona-ke uJehoramu umfowabo ka-Ahaziya uba yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli, ngoba uAhaziya akanayo indodana ezothatha isikhundla sakhe.

 6. UEliya uhlukana noElisha ngaphansi kwaziphi izimo, futhi kuboniswa kanjani ngokushesha ukuthi “umoya kaEliya” uhleli phezu kukaElisha?

⁶ UElisha ulandela uEliya esikhundleni (2:​1-25). Kufika isikhathi sokuba uEliya athathwe. UElisha uhambisana naye ohambweni lwakhe ukusuka eGiligali ukuya eBethele, eJeriko, futhi ekugcineni ukuya ngaphesheya kweJordani. UEliya uhlukanisa amanzi aseJordani ngokuwashaya ngengubo yakhe yobuprofethi. Njengoba ebona inqola yempi yomlilo namahhashi omlilo imhlukanisa noEliya futhi ebona uEliya ekhuphuka ngesivunguvungu, uElisha wamukela izingxenye ezimbili zomoya kaEliya abezithenjisiwe. Ngokushesha uyabonisa ukuthi “umoya kaEliya” uhlalé phezu kwakhe. (2:​15) Ecosha ingubo kaEliya ewile, uyisebenzisa ekuhlukaniseni amanzi futhi. Khona-ke uphulukisa amanzi amabi eJeriko. Esendleleni eya eBethele, abafana abancane bayamklolodela: “Yenyuka wena-mpandlandini! Yenyuka wena-mpandlandini!” (2:​23) UElisha unxusa uJehova, bese kuphuma amabhere amabili ezinsikazi ehlathini abulale angu-42 alamabhobhodlana ayizichwensi.

 7. UJehova ubasindisa ngasizathu sini oJehoshafati noJehoramu?

⁷ UJehoramu, inkosi yakwaIsrayeli (3:​1-27). Lenkosi iyaqhubeka yenza okubi phambi kukaJehova, inamathela ezonweni zikaJerobowamu. Inkosi yakwaMowabi ibithela kwaIsrayeli kodwa manje isiyahlubuka, futhi uJehoramu uthola usizo eNkosini yakwaJuda uJehoshafati nasenkosini yakwaEdomi ekulweni noMowabi. Endleleni lapho kuyohlaselwa, amabutho abo afika endaweni engenamanzi futhi asezokufa. Lamakhosi amathathu ayehla aya kuElisha ukuyobuza kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe. Ngenxa kaJehoshafati othembekile, uJehova uyawasindisa futhi unikela abakwaMowabi kuwo.

 8. Iziphi ezinye izimangaliso uElisha azenzayo?

⁸ Ezinye izimangaliso zikaElisha (4:​1–8:​15). Njengoba abantu abakweletayo sebezothatha amadodana akhe amabili bawayise ebugqilini, umfelokazi wenye yamadodana abaprofethi ufuna usizo kuElisha. Ngokuyisimangaliso wandisa amafutha amancane asendlini yomfelokazi ukuze akwazi ukuthengisa ngokwanele ukuba akhokhe izikweletu zakhe. Owesifazane weseShunemi uqaphela uElisha njengomprofethi kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, futhi yena nomyeni wakhe bamlungisela ikamelo angalisebenzisa lapho eseShunemi. Ngenxa yomusa wakhe, uJehova umbusisa ngendodana. Eminyakeni ethile kamuva, lomntwana uyagula futhi uyafa. Ngokushesha lowesifazane uya kofuna uElisha. UElisha uhambisana naye ukuya ekhaya lakhe, futhi ngamandla kaJehova uyamvusa lomntwana. Lapho ebuyela emadodaneni abaprofethi eGiligali, ngesimangaliso uElisha ususa “ukufa ekhanzini” ngokwenza ukuba izintandela ezinobuthi zingabulali. Ngemva kwalokho upha amadoda ayikhulu izinkwa zebhali ezingu-20, kodwa ‘kuyasala.’​—⁠4:​40, 44.

 9. Iziphi izimangaliso ezenziwayo ngokuqondene noNahamani, nangensimbi yembazo?

⁹ UNahamani, induna yebutho laseAramu (eSiriya), unochoko. Intombazane yakwaIsrayeli eyisithunjwa itshela umkaNahamani ukuthi kukhona umprofethi eSamariya ongamelapha. UNahamani uya kuElisha, kodwa esikhundleni sokuba amelaphe yena qobo lwakhe, uElisha umane nje uthumela izwi lokuthi makaye eMfuleni iJordani ayogeza khona kasikhombisa. UNahamani kuyamcasula lokhu kuntuleka okusobala kwenhlonipho. Imifula yaseDamaseku ayingcono yini kunamanzi akwaIsrayeli? Kodwa uyancengwa ukuba amlalele uElisha, futhi uyelapheka. UElisha uyenqaba ukwamukela isipho njengomvuzo, kodwa kamuva inceku yakhe uGehazi ilandela uNahamani futhi icela isipho ngegama likaElisha. Lapho ebuya futhi ezama ukukhohlisa uElisha, uGehazi ushaywa uchoko. Kwenziwa esinye futhi isimangaliso lapho uElisha enza ukuba insimbi yembazo intante emanzini.

10. Abonakaliswa kanjani amabutho kaJehova anamandla, futhi uElisha ubaxosha kanjani abaseSiriya?

¹⁰ Lapho uElisha exwayisa inkosi yakwaIsrayeli ngozungu lwabaseSiriya lokuyibulala, inkosi yaseSiriya ithumela ibutho eDothani ukuba liyobamba uElisha. Lapho ibona umuzi uzungezwe amabutho aseSiriya, inceku kaElisha ingenwa itwetwe. UElisha uyayiqinisekisa: “Ungesabi, ngokuba abanathi baningi kunabanabo.” Khona-ke uyathandaza ecela ukuba uJehova enze inceku yakhe ibone ibutho elikhulu elinoElisha. ‘Bheka, intaba igcwele amahhashi nezinqola zomlilo nxazonke zakhe uElisha.’ (6:​16, 17) Lapho abaseSiriya behlasela, umprofethi uyaphinda uthandaza kuJehova, abaseSiriya bashaywa ngobumpumputhe bengqondo futhi baholelwa enkosini yakwaIsrayeli. Nokho, esikhundleni sokuba babulawe, uElisha utshela inkosi ukuba ibenzele idili bese ibathumela ekhaya.

11. Zigcwaliseka kanjani iziprofetho zikaElisha eziphathelene nabaseSiriya noBeni-Hadadi?

¹¹ Kamuva, iNkosi yaseSiriya uBeni-Hadadi ivimbezela iSamariya, futhi kuba khona indlala enkulu. Inkosi yakwaIsrayeli isola uElisha, kodwa lomprofethi ubikezela inala yokudla ezoba khona ngosuku olulandelayo. Ebusuku, uJehova ubangela ukuba abaseSiriya bezwe umsindo wempi enkulu, kangangokuthi bayabaleka, beshiya konke ukudla kwabo ukuba kuthathwe amaIsrayeli. Ngemva kwesikhathi esithile uBeni-Hadadi uyagula. Lapho ezwa umbiko wokuthi uElisha ufikile eDamaseku, uthumela uHazayeli ukuba ayobuza ukuthi uzolulama yini. Impendulo kaElisha ibonisa ukuthi lenkosi izofa nokuthi uHazayeli uzoba inkosi esikhundleni sayo. UHazayeli uyaqikelela ukuthi lokhu kuba njalo ngokuba ayibulale yena inkosi futhi athathe ubukhosi.

12. UJehoramu indodana kaJehoshafati uba wuhlobo olunjani lwenkosi?

¹² UJehoramu, inkosi yakwaJuda (8:​16-29). Phakathi nalesikhathi, kwaJuda, uJehoramu indodana kaJehoshafati manje uyinkosi. Akabi ngcono kunamakhosi akwaIsrayeli, njengoba enza okubi phambi kukaJehova. Umkakhe yindodakazi ka-Ahabi uAthaliya, omfowabo, naye othiwa uJehoramu (ngokufushanisa kuthiwa uJoramu), ubusa kwaIsrayeli. Ekufeni kukaJehoramu wakwaJuda, indodana yakhe uAhaziya iba inkosi eJerusalema.

13. UJehu ukufeza ngamuphi umkhankaso onjengombani ukugcotshwa kwakhe?

¹³ UJehu, inkosi yakwaIsrayeli (9:⁠1–10:​36). UElisha uthumela enye yamadodana abaprofethi ukuba iyogcoba uJehu ukuba abe inkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli nokuba imthume ayobulala yonke indlu ka-Ahabi. UJehu akapholisi maseko. Uya kuJehoramu, inkosi yakwaIsrayeli, oseJizreyeli lapho elulama khona emanxebeni awathole empini. Umlindi ubona iviyo lisondela, futhi ekugcineni ubika enkosini: “Ukuqhuba kufana nokuqhuba kukaJehu indodana kaNimishi; ngokuba uqhuba kungathi uyahlanya.” (9:​20) UJehoramu wakwaIsrayeli noAhaziya wakwaJuda babuza ngenjongo kaJehu. UJehu uphendula ngokubuza: “Ukuhlala kahle kuni, kusekuningi ukufeba nokulumba kukanyoko uIzebeli, na?” (9:​22) Njengoba uJehoramu ephenduka ebaleka, uJehu umciba ngomcibisholo enhliziyweni. Isidumbu sakhe siphonswa lapho esiqeshini sikaNaboti, njengenkokhiso eyengeziwe ngegazi elingenacala elachithwa uAhabi. Kamuva uJehu namadoda anaye basukela uAhaziya, bemhlasela futhi efela eMegido. Kufa amakhosi amabili emkhankasweni kaJehu wokuqala oshesha njengombani.

14. Sigcwaliseka kanjani isiprofetho sikaEliya esiphathelene noJezabeli?

¹⁴ Manje sekulandela uIzebeli (uJezabeli)! Njengoba uJehu egijima ngamahhashi ngokunqoba eya eJizreyeli, uJezabeli uvela efasiteleni lakhe ezilungise ngokweqile. UJehu akahlabeki neze umxhwele. “Mphonseni phansi,” etshela izinceku ezithile. Nango ephonseka phansi, igazi lakhe lisaphazeka odongeni nasemahhashini amgandayayo. Lapho beya komgcwaba, bathola ugebhezi lwekhanda, izinyawo, nezintende zezandla zakhe kuphela. Lokhu kuwukugcwaliseka kwesiprofetho sikaEliya, ‘izinja zimdlile, ubé njengomquba ebusweni bomhlaba esiqeshini sezwe laseJizreyeli.’​—⁠2 AmaKh. 9:​33, 36, 37; 1 AmaKh. 21:⁠23.

15. Yibaphi abantu abahlukahlukene uJehu ahlangana nabo endleleni eya eSamariya?

¹⁵ Ngokulandelayo, uJehu uyala ukuba kubulawe amadodana ka-Ahabi angu-70, futhi unqwabelanisa amakhanda awo esangweni laseJizreyeli. Wonke amadoda avumelana noAhabi eJizreyeli ayabulawa. Manje, uya enhloko-dolobha yakwaIsrayeli, eSamariya! Endleleni uhlangana nabafowabo baka-Ahaziya abangu-42, abaya eJizreyeli, bengazi ngokwenzekayo. Bayathathwa futhi bayabulawa. Kodwa manje kuba khona ukuhlangana okwehlukile. UJehonadaba indodana kaRekabi uyaphuma ukuhlangabeza uJehu. Embuzweni kaJehu othi, “Inhliziyo yakho ilungelene nenhliziyo yami njengeyami ilungelene neyakho na?” uJehonadaba uphendula ngokuthi, “E.” Khona-ke uJehu umenza ukuba ahambe naye ngenqola yakhe ayozibonela ngokwakhe “ukushisekela [kwakhe] uJehova.”​—⁠2 AmaKh. 10:​15, 16.

16. Singesiqothula kangakanani isenzo sikaJehu esimelene nendlu ka-Ahabi noBali?

¹⁶ Lapho efika eSamariya, uJehu uqothula konke okusele kuka-Ahabi, ngokwezwi likaJehova kuEliya. (1 AmaKh. 21:​21, 22) Nokho, kuthiwani ngenkolo kaBali enyanyekayo? UJehu uthi, “UAhabi wamkhonza uBali kancane, kepha uJehu uyakumkhonza kakhulu.” (2 AmaKh. 10:​18) Ebabizela endlini kaBali bonke labakhulekeli bamademoni, ubenza bagqoke izambatho zabo ezibabonakalisayo futhi uyaqiniseka ukuthi akekho umkhulekeli kaJehova phakathi kwabo. Khona-ke uthumela amadoda anaye ukuba ababulale, engavumeli noyedwa ukuba aphunyuke. Indlu kaBali iyabhidlizwa, futhi iphendulwa indawo yezindlu zangasese, ezihlala kuze kube usuku lukaJeremiya. ‘UJehu umchitha kanjalo-ke uBali kwaIsrayeli.’​—⁠10:⁠28.

17. Yini uJehu ahluleka kuyo, futhi uJehova uqala kanjani ukuletha isijeziso kuIsrayeli?

¹⁷ Nokho, ngisho noJehu oshisekayo uyahluleka. Ngani? Ngokuthi uyaqhubeka elandela amathole egolide uJerobowamu awamisa eBethele nakwaDani. “[Akagcini] ukuhamba emthethweni kaJehova uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli ngayo yonke inhliziyo yakhe.” (10:​31) Kodwa ngenxa yesenzo sakhe endlini ka-Ahabi, uJehova uthembisa ukuthi inzalo yakhe iyobusa phezu kukaIsrayeli kuze kube sesizukulwaneni sesine. Ezinsukwini zakhe, uJehova uqala ukuqeda ingxenye yombuso esempumalanga, ebangela ukuba uHazayeli waseSiriya ahlasele uIsrayeli. Ngemva kokubusa iminyaka engu-28, uJehu uyafa futhi ulandelwa indodana yakhe uJehowahazi.

18. Lushafiswa kanjani uzungu luka-Athaliya kwaJuda, futhi yini ephawulekayo ngokubusa kukaJehowashi?

¹⁸ UJehowashi, inkosi yakwaJuda (11:⁠1–12:​21). Indlovukazi engunina, uAthaliya, iyindodakazi kaJezabeli ngokwenyama nangokomoya. Lapho izwa ngokufa kwendodana yayo uAhaziya, iyaleza ukuba ubulawe wonke umkhaya wasebukhosini bese ihlala esihlalweni sobukhosi. Indodana ka-Ahaziya esewusana uJehowashi kuphela esindayo ekufeni lapho ifihlwa. Ngonyaka wesikhombisa wokubusa kuka-Athaliya, uJehoyada umpristi ugcoba uJehowashi njengenkosi futhi ubangela ukuba uAthaliya abulawe. UJehoyada uqondisa abantu ekukhulekeleni uJehova, ufundisa lenkosi esencane imithwalo yayo yemfanelo phambi kukaNkulunkulu, futhi wenza amalungiselelo okulungisa indlu kaJehova. Ngezipho, uJehowashi ubuyisela emuva ukuhlasela kukaHazayeli inkosi yaseSiriya. Ngemva kokuba esebuse iminyaka engu-40 eJerusalema, uJehowashi ubulawa izinceku zakhe, futhi uAmasiya indodana yakhe uqala ukubusa njengenkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

19. (a) Ikuphi ukukhulekela kwamanga okuqhubekayo phakathi nokubusa kukaJehowahazi noJehowashi kwaIsrayeli? (b) UElisha uyiphetha kanjani inkambo yakhe njengomprofethi kaJehova?

¹⁹ UJehowahazi noJehowashi, amakhosi akwaIsrayeli (13:​1-25). Indodana kaJehu uJehowahazi iyaqhubeka nokukhulekela izithombe, futhi uIsrayeli uba ngaphansi kweSiriya, nakuba uJehowahazi engasuswa esihlalweni sobukhosi. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi uJehova uyawakhulula amaIsrayeli, kodwa ayaqhubeka nokukhulekela ithole kukaJerobowamu. Ekufeni kukaJehowahazi, indodana yakhe uJehowashi ithatha isikhundla sakhe njengenkosi kwaIsrayeli, ngesikhathi omunye uJehowashi ebusa kwaJuda. UJehowashi wakwaIsrayeli uyaqhubeka nokukhulekela izithombe kukayise. Ekufeni kwakhe indodana yakhe uJerobowamu iba inkosi. Kuphakathi nokubusa kukaJehowashi lapho uElisha egula khona futhi efa, ngemva kokusho isiprofetho sakhe sokugcina sokuthi uJehowashi uzonqoba iSiriya kathathu, esigcwaliseka ngesikhathi saso. Isimangaliso sokugcina okuthiwa senziwa uElisha senzeka ngemva kokufa kwakhe, lapho umuntu ofile ephonswa endaweni ayengcwatshwe kuyo, wavuka ngokushesha lapho ethinta amathambo kaElisha.

20. Chaza ukubusa kuka-Amasiya kwaJuda.

²⁰ UAmasiya, inkosi yakwaJuda (14:​1-22). UAmasiya wenza okulungile emehlweni kaJehova, kodwa uyahluleka ukubhubhisa izindawo eziphakemeyo ezisetshenziselwa ukukhulekela. Uhlulwa empini uJehowashi wakwaIsrayeli. Ngemva kokubusa iminyaka engu-29, ubulawa ozungwini. UAzariya indodana yakhe wenziwa inkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

21. Kwenzekani phakathi nokubusa kukaJerobowamu II kwaIsrayeli?

²¹ UJerobowamu II, inkosi yakwaIsrayeli (14:​23-29). UJerobowamu wesibili oba inkosi kwaIsrayeli uyaqhubeka ekukhulekeleni kwamanga kukayisemkhulu. Ubusa eSamariya iminyaka engu-41 futhi uyaphumelela ekubuyiseleni kwaIsrayeli izindawo ezilahlekile. UZakariya indodana yakhe uyamlandela esihlalweni sobukhosi.

22. Yini elandiswayo ngokuphathelene nokubusa kuka-Azariya kwaJuda?

²² UAzariya (u-Uziya), inkosi yakwaJuda (15:​1-⁠7). UAzariya ubusa iminyaka engu-52. Uqotho phambi kukaJehova kodwa uyahluleka ukuchitha izindawo eziphakeme. Kamuva, uJehova umshaya ngochoko, futhi indodana yakhe uJothamu inakekela imisebenzi yasebukhosini, iba inkosi ekufeni kuka-Azariya.

23. UIsrayeli uhlushwa yiziphi izinto ezimbi njengoba esongelwa abaseAsiriya?

²³ UZakariya, uShalumi, uMenahemu, uPhekaha, noPheka, amakhosi akwaIsrayeli (15:​8-31). Ngokwesithembiso sikaJehova, isihlalo sobukhosi sakwaIsrayeli sihlala endlini kaJehu kuze kube sesizukulwaneni sesine, uZakariya. (10:​30) Ngokufanelekile, uba inkosi eSamariya, futhi ezinyangeni eziyisithupha kamuva ubulawa umbulali. UShalumi, ogabadele isikhundla, ubusa inyanga eyodwa kuphela. Ukukhulekela kwamanga, ukubulawa kwamakhosi, nokuboshwa kozungu kuyaqhubeka kuhlupha uIsrayeli njengoba amakhosi oMenahemu, uPhekaha, noPheka edlula elandelana. Phakathi nokubusa kukaPheka iAsiriya iyahlasela. UHosheya ubulala uPheka, okumenza abe inkosi yokugcina yakwaIsrayeli.

24. Ngemva kukaJothamu, uAhazi wakwaJuda wona kanjani ngokuqondene nokukhulekela?

²⁴ UJothamu noAhazi, amakhosi akwaJuda (15:​32–16:​20). UJothamu uqhuba ukukhulekela okuhlanzekile kodwa uyeka izindawo eziphakemeyo zilokhu zikhona. UAhazi indodana yakhe ulingisa amakhosi akwaIsrayeli ongumakhelwane ngokwenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova. Lapho ehlaselwa inkosi yakwaIsrayeli neyaseSiriya, ucela usizo enkosini yaseAsiriya. AbaseAsiriya bayamsiza, ethumba iDamaseku, futhi uAhazi uya lapho ukuyohlangana nenkosi yaseAsiriya. Ebona ialtare lokukhulekela lapho, uAhazi uyala ukuba kumiswe elinjengalo eJerusalema, futhi uqala ukwenza umhlatshelo kulo esikhundleni sokuwenza ealtare lethusi elisethempelini likaJehova. Indodana yakhe uHezekiya iba inkosi yakwaJuda esikhundleni sakhe.

25. UIsrayeli uya kanjani ekuthunjweni, futhi ngani?

²⁵ UHosheya, inkosi yokugcina yakwaIsrayeli (17:​1-41). Manje uIsrayeli uba ngaphansi kwabaseAsiriya. UHosheya uyahlubuka futhi ufuna usizo eGibithe, kodwa ngonyaka wesishiyagalolunye wokubusa kwakhe, uIsrayeli unqotshwa yiAsiriya futhi uyathunjwa. Waphela kanjalo umbuso wakwaIsrayeli wezizwe eziyishumi. Ngani? “Ngokuba abantwana bakwaIsrayeli babonile kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabo . . . bakhonza izithombe uJehova ashilo ngazo kubo ukuthi: Aniyikwenza lento. Ngalokho uJehova wathukuthelela uIsrayeli, wabasusa ebusweni bakhe.” (17:​7, 12, 18) AbaseAsiriya balanda abantu empumalanga ukuba bazohlala ezweni, futhi laba baba ‘abantu abesaba uJehova,’ nakuba beqhubeka bekhonza onkulunkulu babo.​—⁠17:⁠33.

26, 27. (a) UHezekiya wakwaJuda ukwenza kanjani okulungile emehlweni kaJehova? (b) UJehova uwuphendula kanjani umthandazo kaHezekiya ekuxosheni abaseAsiriya? (c) Sigcwaliseka kanjani futhi isiprofetho sikaIsaya?

²⁶ UHezekiya, inkosi yakwaJuda (18:⁠1–​20:​21). UHezekiya wenza okuhle emehlweni kaJehova, njengoba nje uDavide uyisemkhulu ayenzile. Ususa ukukhulekela kwamanga futhi udiliza izindawo eziphakemeyo, udiliza ngisho nanenyoka yethusi uMose ayeyenzile ngoba manje abantu sebeyayikhulekela. USaneheribi, inkosi yaseAsiriya, manje uhlasela uJuda futhi uthumba imizi eminingi ebiyelweyo. UHezekiya uzama ukumthenga ngesipho esikhulu, kodwa uSaneheribi uthumela isithunywa sakhe uRabi-Shake, oza ezindongeni zaseJerusalema futhi afune ngenkani ukuba kucelwe umaluju futhi ajivaze uJehova kuzwa abantu bonke. Umprofethi uIsaya uqinisekisa uHezekiya othembekile ngesigijimi senhlekelele kuSaneheribi. “Usho kanje uJehova, uthi: Ungesabi.” (19:⁠6) Njengoba uSaneheribi eqhubeka esongela, uHezekiya unxusa uJehova: “Manje, Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu, ake usisindise esandleni sakhe ukuba yonke imibuso yomhlaba yazi ukuthi wena-Jehova unguNkulunkulu, yebo, wena wedwa.”​—⁠19:⁠19.

²⁷ Ingabe uJehova uyawuphendula lomthandazo obonisa ukungabi nabugovu? Okokuqala, ngoIsaya, uthumela isigijimi sokuthi “ukushisekela kukaJehova” kuzosixosha isitha. (19:​31) Khona-ke, ngabo lobobusuku, uthumela ingelosi yakhe ukuba ibulale abangu-185 000 ekamu labaseAsiriya. Ekuseni ‘bonke bayizidumbu ezifileyo.’ (19:​35) USaneheribi ubuyela emuva enqotshiwe futhi uhlala eNineve. Lapho unkulunkulu wakhe uNisiroki uyaphinda uyahluleka ukumsiza ngoba kungesikhathi ekhotheme ekhuleka lapho amadodana akhe amabili embulala khona, kugcwaliseka isiprofetho sikaIsaya.​—⁠19:​7, 37.

28. UHezekiya udunyiswa ngani, kodwa wona ngani?

²⁸ UHezekiya ugulela ukufa, kodwa uJehova uyawulalela futhi umkhuleko wakhe futhi wandisa ukuphila kwakhe ngeminye iminyaka engu-15. Inkosi yaseBabele (Babiloni) ithumela izithunywa nezipho, futhi uHezekiya uyagabadela uzitshengisa yonke indlu yakhe yengcebo. UIsaya ube eseprofetha ukuthi ngelinye ilanga yonke into esendlini yakhe yengcebo iyothathwa iyiswe eBabiloni. Khona-ke uHezekiya uyafa, edunyiswa ngamandla akhe nangomhume awakha ukuze alethe amanzi aseJerusalema emzini.

29. Ikuphi ukukhonza izithombe uManase akumisayo, iyiphi inhlekelele ebikezelwa uJehova, futhi isiphi esinye isono uManase asenzayo?

²⁹ UManase, uAmoni, noJosiya, amakhosi akwaJuda (21:⁠1–23:​30). UManase ulandela uyise uHezekiya esikhundleni, futhi ubusa iminyaka engu-55, enza okubi emehlweni kaJehova ngezinga elikhulu. Ubuyisela izindawo eziphakemeyo zokukhulekela kwamanga, umisela uBali ama-altare, wenza uAshera (isigxobo esingcwele) njengoba kwenza uAhabi, futhi wenza indlu kaJehova indawo yokukhonza izithombe. UJehova ubikezela ukuthi uzoletha inhlekelele phezu kweJerusalema njengoba enza phezu kweSamariya, ‘elesula eligumbuqela.’ UManase futhi uchitha “kakhulu” igazi elingenacala. (21:​13, 16) Esikhundleni ulandelwa indodana yakhe uAmoni, oqhubekayo nokwenza okubi iminyaka emibili kuze kube yilapho ebulawa khona ababulali.

30. UJosiya ubuyela kanjani futhi ngasiphi isizathu kuJehova ngenhliziyo yakhe yonke?

³⁰ Abantu manje benza indodana ka-Amoni uJosiya inkosi. Phakathi nokubusa kwakhe kweminyaka engu-31, ubuyisa uJuda okwesikhashana endleleni eya ekubhujisweni ‘ngokuhamba ngendlela yonke kaDavide uyise.’ (22:⁠2) Uqala umsebenzi wokulungisa endlini kaJehova, futhi lapho, umpristi omkhulu uthola incwadi yoMthetho. Lencwadi iqinisekisa ukuthi imbubhiso iyofikela isizwe ngenxa yokungamlaleli kwaso uJehova, kodwa uJosiya uyaqinisekiswa ukuthi ngenxa yokuthembeka kwakhe, ngeke ifike ngosuku lwakhe. Ususa endlini kaJehova nakulo lonke izwe ukukhulekelwa kwamademoni futhi unabisela umsebenzi wakhe wokuphihliza izithombe eBethele, lapho ebhubhisa khona ialtare likaJerobowamu egcwalisa isiprofetho esikwawoku-⁠1 AmaKh. 13:​1, 2. Ulimisa kabusha iPhasika elenzelwa uJehova. “Kwakungekho-nkosi phambi kwakhe eyaphendukela kuJehova ngayo yonke inhliziyo yayo nangawo onke amandla ayo njengawo wonke umthetho kaMose.” (23:​25) Noma kunjalo, intukuthelo kaJehova isavutha ngenxa yezono zikaManase. UJosiya ufa empini elwa nenkosi yaseGibithe eMegido.

31. Iziphi izenzakalo ezehlela uJuda ngemva kokufa kukaJosiya?

³¹ UJehowahazi, uJehoyakimi, noJehoyakini, amakhosi akwaJuda (23:​31–24:​17). Ngemva kokubusa izinyanga ezintathu, indodana kaJosiya uJehowahazi ithunjwa inkosi yaseGibithe, futhi umfowabo uEliyakimi, ogama lakhe lishintshwa libe uJehoyakimi, ubekwa esihlalweni sobukhosi. Ulandela inkambo engalungile yoyisemkhulu futhi uba ngaphansi kukaNebukadinesari, inkosi yaseBabiloni, kodwa uyayihlubuka ngemva kweminyaka emithathu. Ekufeni kukaJehoyakimi indodana yakhe uJehoyakini iqala ukubusa. UNebukadinesari uvimbezela iJerusalema, uyalithumba, futhi uthatha ingcebo yendlu kaJehova uyiyisa eBabiloni, “njengokukhuluma kukaJehova” ngoIsaya. (24:​13; 20:​17) UJehoyakini kanye nezinkulungwane zabantu bakhe bayiswa ekuthunjweni eBabiloni.

32. Iziphi izenzakalo ezimangalisayo eziholela ekuchithweni kweJerusalema nezwe?

³² USedekiya, inkosi yokugcina yakwaJuda (24:​18–25:​30). UNebukadinesari wenza umalume kaJehoyakini uMathaniya abe inkosi futhi ushintsha igama lakhe liba nguSedekiya. Ubusa iminyaka engu-11 eJerusalema futhi uqhubeka enza okubi emehlweni kaJehova. Uyalihlubuka iBabiloni, ngakho ngonyaka kaSedekiya wesishayagalolunye, uNebukadinesari nayo yonke impi yakhe bayeza futhi bakha udonga lokuvimbezela oluzungeza iJerusalema. Ngemva kwezinyanga ezingu-18 umuzi uhlaselwa indlala. Ngakho kuvulwa izintuba ezindongeni, futhi uSedekiya ubanjwa lapho ezama ukubaleka. Amadodana akhe abulawa phambi kwakhe, yena wenziwa impumputhe. Ngenyanga elandelayo, zonke izindlu eziyinhloko zomuzi, kuhlanganise nendlu kaJehova nendlu yenkosi, ziyashiswa futhi izindonga zomuzi ziyabhidlizwa. Iningi labasindile liyiswa eBabiloni liyizithunjwa. UGedaliya umiswa ukuba abe umbusi phezu kwabambalwa abaphansi abasele emaphandleni akwaJuda. Nokho, uyabulawa, futhi abantu babalekela eGibithe. Kanjalo kusukela ngenyanga yesikhombisa ka-607 B.C.E., izwe lisala liyincithakalo ngokuphelele. Amazwi okugcina encwadi yamaKhosi esiBili akhuluma ngomusa inkosi yaseBabiloni ewubonisa uJehoyakini ngonyaka wama-37 wokuthunjwa kwakhe.

ISIZATHU SOKUBA IBE NENZUZO

33. Iziphi izibonelo ezinikezwa kumaKhosi esiBili okumelwe sizilandele?

³³ Nakuba ihlanganisa ukuwa kombuso wakwaIsrayeli nowakwaJuda, incwadi yamaKhosi esiBili ikhazimula ngezibonelo eziningi zezibusiso zikaJehova kubantu ngabanye ababonisa uthando ngaye nangezimiso zakhe ezilungile. Njengomfelokazi waseSarepati ngaphambi kwakhe, owesifazane waseShunemi wamukela isibusiso esikhulu ngenxa yomoya wokungenisa izihambi awubonisa kumprofethi kaNkulunkulu. (4:​8-17, 32-37) Amandla kaJehova okupha njalo aboniswa lapho uElisha esuthisa amadoda ayikhulu ngezinkwa ezingu-20, njengoba nje uJesu enza isimangaliso esifanayo kamuva. (2 AmaKh. 4:​42-44; Math. 14:​16-21; Marku 8:​1-⁠9) Phawula indlela uJehonadaba athola ngayo isibusiso ngokumenywa ukuba ahambe noJehu ngenqola yakhe ayobona ukubhujiswa kwabakhulekeli bakaBali. Ngani? Ngoba wathatha isinyathelo esiqondile ngokuphuma ayohlangabeza uJehu oshisekayo. (2 AmaKh. 10:​15, 16) Ekugcineni kunezibonelo ezinhle kakhulu zikaHezekiya noJosiya, ngokuthobeka kwabo nenhlonipho efanele ngegama likaJehova nangoMthetho wakhe. (19:​14-19; 22:​11-13) Lezi izibonelo ezinhle kakhulu okumelwe sizilandele.

34. Yini amaKhosi esiBili asifundisa yona ngokuqondene nokuhlonipha izinceku ezimisiwe nangokuqondene necala legazi?

³⁴ UJehova akakubekezeleli ukudelelwa kwezinceku zakhe azimisile. Lapho intsha eyizichwensi ihleka uElisha njengomprofethi kaJehova, waletha isijeziso esisheshayo. (2:​23, 24) Ngaphezu kwalokho, uJehova uyalihlonipha igazi labangenacala. Isahlulelo sakhe saba nzima endlini ka-Ahabi hhayi ngenxa nje yokukhulekela uBali kodwa nangenxa yokuchitha igazi okwakuhambisana nakho. Ngakho, uJehu wagcotshwa ukuba aphindiselele ‘igazi lezinceku zonke zikaJehova esandleni sikaJezabeli.’ Lapho kukhishwa isahlulelo kuJehoramu, uJehu wakhumbula amazwi kaJehova okuthi kwakungenxa ‘yegazi likaNaboti nelamadodana akhe.’ (9:​7, 26) Ngokufanayo, kwakuyicala legazi likaManase ekugcineni elaqinisekisa ukulahlwa kukaJuda. Enezela esonweni sakhe sokukhulekela kwamanga, uManase ‘wagcwalisa iJerusalema ngegazi kusukela ekuqaleni kuze kube-sekugcineni.’ Ngisho noma uManase kamuva aphenduka endleleni yakhe embi, icala legazi lahlala likhona. (2 IziKr. 33:​12, 13) Ngisho nokubusa okuhle kukaJosiya, nokususa kwakhe konke ukukhulekela izithombe, akukwazanga ukwesula icala lomphakathi legazi elalisukela ekubuseni kukaManase. Eminyakeni eminingi kamuva, lapho uJehova eletha abakhiphi besahlulelo sakhe eJerusalema, wathi kwakungenxa yokuthi uManase “wagcwalisa iJerusalema ngegazi elingenacala, lokhu uJehova akavumanga ukukuthethelela.” (2 AmaKh. 21:​16; 24:⁠4) Ngokufanayo, uJesu wathi iJerusalema lekhulu lokuqala leminyaka C.E. kwakumelwe libhubhe ngoba abapristi balo babengamadodana alabo abachitha igazi labaprofethi, ‘ukuba kufike phezu kwabo igazi lonke elilungileyo elachithwa emhlabeni.’ (Math. 23:​29-36) UNkulunkulu uxwayisa izwe ukuthi uzophindiselela igazi elingenacala eliye lachithwa, ikakhulukazi igazi ‘lababulewe ngenxa yezwi likaNkulunkulu.’​—⁠IsAm. 6:​9, 10.

35. (a) UEliya, uElisha noIsaya bafakazelwa kanjani ukuthi bangabaprofethi beqiniso? (b) Ngokuphathelene noEliya, yini uPetru ayishoyo ngesiprofetho?

³⁵ Ukuqiniseka okungaphazami uJehova agcwalisa ngakho izahlulelo zakhe zesiprofetho kuyaboniswa futhi kumaKhosi esiBili. Kulethwa ekunakekeleni kwethu abaprofethi abathathu abavelele, uEliya, uElisha, noIsaya. Iziprofetho zomunye nomunye wabo ziboniswa zigcwaliseka ngokuphawulekayo. (2 AmaKh. 9:​36, 37; 10:​10, 17; 3:​14, 18, 24; 13:​18, 19, 25; 19:​20, 32-36; 20:​16, 17; 24:​13) UEliya futhi ufakazelwa njengomprofethi weqiniso ngokuvela kwakhe nomprofethi uMose kanye nomProfethi Omkhulu uJesu Kristu, ekuguqulweni isimo entabeni. (Math. 17:​1-⁠5) Ebhekisela ebuhleni balesosehlakalo, uPetru wathi: “Sesinalo izwi lesiprofetho eliqinisekile kakhulu, enenza kahle ukuliqaphela kungathi liyisibani esikhanyayo endaweni emnyama kuze kuse, ikhwezi liphumele ezinhliziyweni zenu.”​—⁠2 Pet. 1:⁠19.

36. Kungani uJehova ababonisa umusa abantu bakhe, futhi kukhuliswa kanjani ukuthembela kwethu eMbusweni weMbewu?

³⁶ Izenzakalo ezibhalwe encwadini yamaKhosi esiBili zikwembula ngokucacile ukuthi isahlulelo sikaJehova kubo bonke abaqhubi benkolo yamanga nakubo bonke abachithi bangamabomu begazi elingenacala siwukubhujiswa. Nokho, uJehova wabonisa umusa kubantu bakhe “ngenxa yesivumelwano sakhe noAbrahama noIsaka noJakobe.” (2 AmaKh. 13:​23) Wabalonda “ngenxa kaDavide inceku yakhe.” (8:​19) Uyobonisa umusa ofanayo kulabo abaphendukela kuye namuhla. Njengoba sibukeza umlando nezithembiso zeBhayibheli, yeka ukuthi sibheka phambili ngokuqiniseka okujule kangakanani eMbusweni ‘wendodana kaDavide,’ uJesu Kristu iMbewu ethenjisiwe, lapho kungasayikuba khona ukuchithwa kwegazi nobubi!​—⁠Math. 1:⁠1; Isaya 2:⁠4; IHu. 145:⁠20.

[Imibhalo yaphansi]