According to Hugh Nibley, in the book Nathan the Babylonian (Nathan ha-Babli), Nathan witnessed the crowning of the Jewish king in captivity… . He describes the coronation. In view of the important part the choir plays in the kingship ceremony and the open invitation for ancestor to be present, it is interesting that king Benjamin said, “I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together that I might rid my garments of your blood, at this period of time when I am about to go down to my grave, that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God” (Mosiah 2:28). The choir also sang the “song of redeeming love” that Alma talks about later on (see Alma 5:9,26). [Hugh W. Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Semester 1, pp. 441, 443] [See the commentary on Mosiah 2:7]
“King Benjamin Farewell Adress”
In mentioning that “I am about to go down to my grave” (Mosiah 2:28), King Benjamin most certainly classified his speech as a farewell address. According to an article by John Welch and Daryle Hague, William S. Kurz has published a detailed study comparing twenty-two farewell addresses from the classical and biblical traditions. Kurz has identified twenty elements common to the farewell addresses in general. Although Kurz knows no single speech that contains all of these elements, some contain more than others. Moses’ farewell speech contains sixteen elements (see Deuteronomy 31-34); Paul’s, fourteen (see Acts 20); and Socrates’, eleven.
It is remarkable that King Benjamin‘s oration contains as many or more elements of the ancient farewell address than any of Kurz’s examples. In fact, recent research finds Benjamin’s speech to be the most complete example of this speech typology yet found anywhere in world literature.
Kurz’s Twenty Elements (Same Elements in Benjamin’s Speech)
1. The speaker summons his successors. (Mosiah 1:9-10; 2:1,9)
2. He cites his own mission as an example. (Mosiah 2:12-14,18)
3. He states his innocence/ his duty fulfilled. (Mosiah 2:15,27-31
4. He refers to his impending death. (Mosiah 1:9, 2:26,28)
5. He exhorts his audience. (Mosiah 2:9,40-41; 4:9-10; 5:12)
6. He issues warnings & final injunctions. (Mosiah 2:31-32,36-39; 3:12,25; 4:14-30; 5:10-11)
7. He blesses his audience. (Not clearly found but see “blessed” in Mosiah 2:41)
8. He makes farewell gestures. (Possibly implied in Mosiah 2:28; see 2 Nephi 9:44)
9. He names tasks for his successors. (Mosiah 1:15-16; 2:31; 6:3)
10. He gives a theological review of history. (Mosiah 2:34-35; 3:13-15)
11. The speaker reveals future events. (Mosiah 3:1,5-10)
12. Promises are given. (Mosiah 2:22,31; 4:12; 5:9)
13. He appoints/refers to successor. (Mosiah 1:15-16; 2:31, 6:3)
14. Rest of people bewail loss of leader. (Not found)
15. Future generation addressed, (Mosiah 3:23-27; 4:14-15)
16. Sacrifices and covenants are renewed. (Mosiah 2:3; 5:1-7)
17. Care is given for those left. (Mosiah 4:14-26; 6:3)
18. Consolation is given to inner circle. (Mosiah 5:15)
19. Didactic speech is made. (Mosiah 3:16-21)
20. Ars moriendi. (Possibly in Mosiah 2:28)
[John W. Welch and Daryle R. Hague, “Benjamin’s Speech: A Classic Ancient Farewell Address,” in Reexploring the Book of Mormon, pp. 120-121]