But he came before his Maker in all humility, with sorrow in his heart.
Arrows and slings. At the time of Lehi, the Jews were not, generally speaking, great hunters. In the early days, the pursuit of wild beasts either for the protection of the domestic animals and the cultivated fields, or for food, was a common occupation, both necessary and dangerous. We read of Nimrod, the "mighty hunter before the Lord" (Gen. 27:3). But generally the Hebrews in later times did not practise archery either for hunting or for sport. The bow and the arrow became weapons of war, the play things of soldiers and rulers in times of peace. To use either the bow or the sling successfully, it was necessary to possess great strength and long practice.
These facts account for the predicament of Nephi and his brothers. They were not really skilled archers. Or, their bows may not have been of the best material, or make. Or, they may not have understood how to take good care of them, since they were out of commission at this early stage of the journey.
At all events, Nephi was inspired to come to the rescue. The Lord could use him as his instrument. The older brothers, who ought to have had the knowledge and experience necessary to overcome the difficulty, proved their weakness by their inactivity and grumbling. Nephi proved his strength by his activity.
Slings. These were also effective weapons in the hands of a youth, like Nephi. The story of David and Goliath was well known by these boys. (I Sam. 17:32-53)
At the time of the Judges, the men of the tribe of Benjamin were celebrated for their skill as stone slingers. "Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss." (Judges 20:16)