The servants have responsibility for the flocks, and the scattering of the flocks sees them in dereliction of their duty. Of course a king must respond to such an offense, but he would be unable to act against the true culprits because they are not present. Nevertheless, such an offense would have to be punished, or it would be a signal that the king did not notice, and was therefore weakening. Indeed, the king had executed previous servants for the same problem.