Benjamin's speech is not a state of the union address—where all is rhetoric, self-approbation, and superficial syrup. Benjamin's words have real meaning, requiring real communication, and real commitment. He wants his people to "hearken" to his words.
The word "hearken" is a scriptural word of important doctrinal significance. There are three words concerned with perception of sound. The first is the verb, "to hear." This word implies that the sound is audible but no more. The individual doesn't have to understand the message, agree with it, internalize it or apply it. This aptly describes those who hear the word of the Lord and reject it. Of these Isaiah prophesied, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not (Isa 6:9). The words of James are just as instructive, be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was (James 1:22-24). Another scriptural example is found in the parable of the sower. In that story, the individual who hears but doesn't listen or hearken is likened unto the seed which fell by the way side, When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart (Matt 13:19). See also Ezek 33:31-32, Lu 16:31, and Jn 12:40.
The second verb is "to listen." Listening is one step above hearing. It requires effort on the part of the hearer. Effort is exerted to understand the message, the context, the speaker, the audience, and the meaning. It still doesn't require the listener to act on the information received, only to comprehend it and appreciate it. The word listen is not a biblical word, but the concept is found in a few scriptures, let every man be swift to hear (or listen), slow to speak, slow to wrath (James 1:19). He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him (Proverbs 18:13). Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer (Mor 8:8). Again, from the parable of the sower, the one who listens but doesn't hearken is likened unto the seed which fell into stony places, he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended (Matt 13:20-21).
Third, the verb, "to hearken," implies that the message is heard, understood, and applied to one's life and situation. It requires action. As faith is more than just belief, hearkening is more than just to hearing or listening. Therefore, It should be no surprise that this is the verb used in the scriptures on 487 different occasions. This verb encapsulates the essence of true religion, to hearken to the word of the Lord. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock (Matt 7:24-25). Again the parable of the sower teaches the principle, But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty (Matt 13:23). Benjamin's desire for his people to hearken is so that they may understand, and…that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to [their] view.