Limhi i s of the third generation of the people who earlier had left the land of Zarahemla. His being king had come from patriarchal descent, his grandfather having been chosen by the voice of the people (v. 9). A knowledge of the first two generations is given in the following chapters of Mosiah. Limhi’s reason for preserving Ammon in his boldness (v. 11), suggests that death to intruders was common. If this supposition is correct, it was probably because of contention between Limhi’s people and the Lamanites as will also be shown in the next chapters.
Limhi’s great joy was more than learning of the people in Zarahemla being alive (vv. 13–14). As implied in the subsequent speech to his people, it was probably an answer to the king’s prayers (v. 33). The king’s willingness to be in bondage to the Nephites rather than the Lamanites reminds us of Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32).
Although the message of the parable is somewhat different, both Limhi and the wayward son recognized they were better off before transgression occurred (Mosiah 7:15). The bringing of the twelve other associates of Ammon was mentioned in the historical setting.