Rhetoric: Benjamin neatly ties up his argument by returning to his introduction, again using himself as a focus. Although he has strongly argued that everyone can have the same relationship with Yahweh that he himself has had, here he underscores the social difference between the king and the people. Even though he is superior in privilege and rank, yet he also is “of the dust.” He is as much Yahweh’s creation as they, just as much an unprofitable servant as they. Benjamin has thus explored both sides of the servant/master relationship with his people, assured them that they are capable of entering into this relationship, described some of its blessings, and indicated that they will always be bound to Yahweh (their master) in gratitude because of his abounding grace. He seals this description by including himself in it.
Our modern assumptions may make us miss the significance of Benjamin’s words. An ancient audience would assume that their king was infinitely superior to them, sacred, and taboo. Many societies forbade ordinary persons to touch the king and, in some cases, even to look at him. This reverence for the king’s person obviously had implications for religious sanction as a tool for governance. It would not be unusual for Benjamin’s people, particularly the Zarahemlaites who were apparently more Mesoamericanized than the Nephites, to see Benjamin as more than a man, despite his strong affirmation that he was only a man. In this context, Benjamin’s placing himself on the same level as his people before Yahweh is a startling declaration, one that certainly would have impressed his audience.