Benjamin clearly draws the lines around the nature of the Nephite king. He is human even though rightfully consecrated through his lineage and ruling through the power of God. While God is declared to be behind the throne, he is not declared to sit on the throne.
Anthropological: It is interesting that the nature of kingship among the Zarahemlaites is sufficiently tenuous that Benjamin notes that he rules because “I have been chosen by this people.” Of course he also notes that he rules by lineal right (“consecrated by my father”) and as with all things, by the grace of God. Nevertheless, there is no apparent assumption of regnal privilege here. Benjamin rules at the sufferance of the population.
This revelation of Benjamin’s dependence upon his subjects for the right to rule fits with general anthropological understanding of many ancient or less complex civilizations. Most societies have rules that are intended to be obeyed. The issue comes in the ability to enforce those rules. Radcliffe-Brown describes the options open to societies, which may be paraphrased as; 1) a moral sanction where each person in the community would express their displeasure with the person, 2) a ritual sanction where the force of religion is brought upon the guilty, making them “unclean” or otherwise unfit for joining with the community, or 3) a penal sanction, where some person or persons empowered by the society inflicts punishment under law (Radcliffe-Brown, A.R. Structure and Function in a Primitive Society. The Free Press, 1968, pp.214-215).
King Benjamin indicates in verse 13 that he has not suffered that his people be imprisoned. More that a simple “advantage” of his kingship, it may also be an indication that King Benjamin lacks Radcliffe-Brown’s third option of some accepted law-enforcer. We have no indication of a standing army, nor of any type of police in Nephite society at this time. While arguing from silence is dicey at best, in this case the corroboration comes from Benjamin’s indication of his rulership through the sufferance of his people. Benjamin rules at their pleasure precisely because he has no other means of enforcing his rule. He cannot call in a loyal standing army. At this stage in the development of the Nephite society, King Benjamin wears the “king” title as much more of a formality than an indicator of power.