Why did Lamoni ask Ammon if he wanted to live among the Lamanites? Alma 17:22

Why did Lamoni ask Ammon if he wanted to live among the Lamanites? Alma 17:22

This is my favorite story in the entire Book of Mormon. Ammon, a Nephite prince, is converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and decides to go on a mission. He goes to the land of Ishmael to preach to the descendants of Ishmael who had become Lamanites. His father is really worried about him leaving, but the Lord promises his father, Mosiah, that they will be safe.

As soon as Ammon gets to the land of Ishmael, the Lamanites bind him (like they do all Nephites) and took him before the king. It was up to the king to decide what to do with him.

So Ammon is bound and at the mercy of King Lamoni, a descendant of Ishmael. He could easily choose to kill him, so why does he instead ask if Ammon wants to live among the Lamanites.

Maybe Lamoni was asking it in a scoffing way. Something like, "Haha, what's this? A Nephite? Does the poor wittol Nephite want to wiv wiff Lamanites?"

Or maybe Lamoni was confused, "What were you thinking? Did you really want to live with the Lamanites?"

Answer:
I don't know why he asked this, but it offered Ammon the perfect opportunity to respond:

"Yes! I want to live with this people for a while, and maybe even until the day I die."

Something about Ammon's response pleased Lamoni, who promptly loosed his bands and offers that tropey, predictable and utterly dehumanizing gift - the highest symbol of his pleasure and acceptance of Ammon, one of his daughters' hand in marriage. Seems likely she had no say in the matter, which disgusts me.

Ammon says, "Actually, I would like to be your servant."

And that's how it all begins.