Enter a new interesting individual, Gideon, who “drew his
sword, and swore in his wrath that he would slay…[K]ing [Noah].” As Gideon sought to fulfil that oath, we find
King Noah fleeing before him to the top of the big tower in town. At the top, King Noah noticed the Lamanites were
unexpectedly en route to attack the city.
The King plead with Gideon to spare his life because of it, for “they
will destroy my people” (v. 7). We are
led to believe that Gideon was very aware that the King didn’t care at all
about his people, but only about his own skin, as his later actions will
prove. “Nevertheless,” we read in verse
8, “Gideon did spare his life.”
Gideon shows great presence of mind and humility in
this. Gideon had sworn to kill this
wicked king, and felt a moral obligation to keep his word. Yet, weighing the good of the people against
his own good, he postponed his desire and spared the king’s life, acting for
the good of the people. Think how different
life would be if we all had this same presence of mind to put the needs of all
of us above our own needs. It is a
strengthening perspective that carries with it the power of unity.
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