Like the early Mormon settlers of Missouri and Illinois, the people of Zeniff grew strong enough to threaten the political and social security of their Lamanite neighbors. An understandable source of conflict, this eventually led to multiple battles with and bondage to the Lamanites. Of course, they would not have fallen into bondage to the Lamanites if they had not turned from the Lord.
When the Nephites went to battle in the strength of the Lord (v. 17), they were not destroyed. In the first battle between Zeniff's people and Laman's armies, Laman lost 3043 while Zeniff lost only 279 (v. 18-19).