I remember reading somewhere that this so called passage wasn't out of compassion or any goodness. Just look at the whole of his acts. Any rational person would conclude he was ruthless and he was sadistic. And, no I do not compare him by today's standards. How naive. In any time, his actions would be ruthless and sadistic.
"How naive. In any time, his actions would be ruthless and sadistic."
What an absurd statement. The current society define ruthless and sadistic. In fact the current society defines everything.
Not even 100 years ago it wasn't uncommon to see a 14, 15, or 16 year old girl get married to a 30 year old man. Very acceptable back then, today you go to jail for it.