This passage describes the transformation of Limhite pride into humility. While verse 10 suggests that they were becoming humble, the second and third military failures (vv. 11–12) stripped away the last vestiges of pride in their military prowess and forced them to accept the reality of their altered circumstances.
The Limhite humility took two forms. First, they resigned themselves to Lamanite domination, allowing themselves to be “smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened.” While their abandonment of any kind of resistance is a logical consequence of the terrible military losses they have suffered, the most important form of humility (v. 14) is when they humble themselves before the Lord, realizing that only he can save them. They no longer have pride in their strength or skill. They no longer believe they can extricate themselves. In their utmost extremity, they finally call upon Yahweh.