The question asked by the bewildered king was quickly answered by those who had watched the display of Ammon's power, both defensive and offensive. They, too, were perplexed. In their unknowing and superstitious minds they weighed the facts as they saw them; never before in their experience had one man withstood the onslaught of so many; at no time had the Nephite's strength waned, nor had his courage failed. His servants pondered as the king silently suppressed his disquieted emotions. Under a sense of their own weakness they at length observed to their master that the Nephite could not be slain, neither could the king's flocks be scattered when Ammon was with them.
The king's astonishment grew apace as his servants' testimony of Ammon's great loyalty and devotion to him mounted. The king feared and trembled. Seeing the amazed terror that confounded not only the king, but his entire entourage, the servants of the king quickly concluded that no mere man has so great power, and therefore Ammon is as the king implied, more than a man. But, however, whether he is the Great Spirit they knew not; nevertheless, they did know that the Nephite is a friend of the king.
Goaded on by the pronged thoughts of his servants whom he had slain, the king grew remorseful. Distressed of mind, and weak in body by those terrifying reflections, he, nevertheless, sought no pretext upon which he might excuse before Ammon, who he thought was the Great Spirit, his rash actions because of the loss of his cattle. He felt constrained to admit doing wrong.