I think King Lamoni commanded me to care for his sheep with his other servants because it would keep me out of trouble while he had more important things to do. He would deal with the Nephite later.
The king’s father was preparing a great feast for his sons, the kings of various lands. King Lamoni was one of those sons and was expected to be there at the celebration. Of course, Lamoni was eager to go. Thus, before we were commanded to water the flocks, we were supposed to prepare his horses and his chariots for his journey. So, that’s what I was doing when I was urgently called from the king’s stables to an audience with the king. (and no Aaron, I wasn’t hoping to get another peek at his daughter.)
When I finished with the horses, I went to see the king. He was completely different. His countenance was that of a distressed man. I thought it was a bad time, so I turned to leave. One of the servants stopped me and said “Rabbanah, the king wants you to stay.” Calling me Rabbanah was a bit out of place I thought. The title Rabbanah is reserved for the powerful or great kings.
I turned back to the king and asked him what I could do for him. He remained silent. Minutes passed, then what seemed like an hour. It was during that hour I was filled with the Spirit of God and was shown the thoughts of the king.
When his servants reported back to the king what happened at the Waters of Sebus, and they laid a collection of bloody arms before the king, the king was so astonished he became fearful. He attributed to me and my strength power that was not my own. Which in fact it was not my own, so the king had it right. The king asked the servants if I might be the Great Spirit. They didn’t know but they testified I couldn’t be slain and thus I was more than a man. But the king concluded I was the Great Spirit.
The Great Spirit was a tradition handed down from their fathers. Notwithstanding they believed in the Great Spirit, they supposed that whatever they as kings did was right. In truth, they knew better, otherwise the king would not have feared so exceedingly. He feared he had done wrong in slaying his servants.
I finally broke the silence and asked the king, “Is it because you heard that I defended your servants and your flocks, and killed seven of their men with the sling and with the sword, and smote off the arms of others, to defend your flocks and your servants; is it this that causes your marveling?”
The king didn’t dare respond. So I did. I asked him why he marveled so much. Then I tried to put him at peace by telling him I was just a man; and his servant, and that I was willing to do what he commanded as long as it was right.
He knew I could discern his thoughts which added to his concern about me. He finally opened his mouth and asked “Who are you? Are you that Great Spirit who knows all things?”
That was the question of questions. How great are the Lord’s ways? I was hoping for the right opening and yet I knew when I stood against the men at the Waters of Sebus, the Lord was in this work. Of course, it is His work. I am just a participant. So now the king wonders if I am the Great Spirit. When I said I was not the Great Spirit, he asked how I knew the thoughts of his heart. As a king wielding great power and with a history of slaying a servant or two, he recognized the hesitancy of servants to speak openly, let alone boldly. He insisted I speak boldly. He was ready for the truth. He asked about my power to protect his flocks even to the killing and cutting the arms off the attackers.
He told me that if I told him about my power he would give me whatever I desired. He even offered protection from his armies, but recognized I was more powerful than they were. Well, what I desired was quite harmless. I wanted him to believe what I was sent to teach. I told him exactly that. I said that if he would believe and harken to what I taught, I would tell him by what power I protected his flocks and preserved the lives of his servants.
He then set the mighty change into action. He committed to believe all my words. I wondered if Aaron, Omni, and Himner were having similar conversations with the kings of the other lands. Later, I learned they weren’t.
Alma 18 – Book of Mormon
