Having reminded the inhabitants of Zarahemla of the four-hundred-year prophecy, Samuel turns to focus on those of their specific city. If it weren’t for the fewer numbers but more righteous citizens of the city, it would be destroyed right then (vv. 12–13). As a further warning, when the righteous are cast out they will be destroyed (v. 14). The city of Zarahemla was destroyed at the time of the crucifixion of Christ, and it was destroyed by fire as the Lord threatened at this time (see 3 Nephi 8:8). The same principle that applies to the nations apparently applies to the cities: “He leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes” (1 Nephi 17:38). This cursing Samuel also foretold (see below).
The city of Gideon, which Samuel also warned along with other cities (Helaman 13:15–16), may have repented. When the Savior spoke to the Nephites after he was crucified, he mentioned many cities that were destroyed (3 Nephi 9:2–10), Mormon mentioned three of those in this abridgment (3 Nephi 8:8–10), but Gideon was not mentioned.