Textual: This is the beginning of a chapter in the 1830 edition, and therefore likely a division made by Mormon on the plates. As is common with Mormon’s editorial practice, he has made a break at the end of a copied speech, and before another begins. At the beginning of this section, Mormon gives his synoptic description of what happens.
Social: This is clearly a break in the speech. Benjamin has to send messengers among the people to get their reply. Rather than the previous exclamation of the people that Benjamin could either hear or feel, this particular case required a more extensive canvassing of the people. It is possible that this was also an opportune time for a break, allowing the people to talk among themselves, and eat if they desired.
In any case, the servants of the king went among the people questioning their response. Benjamin is looking for a particular response, the willingness to enter in to a new covenant, a new name, and become a new people. This is, for Benjamin, much more important than the coronation of the king on which he has spent so little time (see verse 6 below for what Benjamin desired of his people). Because this is not an individual covenant, but a communal covenant, the response of the community is sought. Benjamin cannot be satisfied that many declare it, he needs to know that the whole of the community is ready to undertake this change. Therefore, he must send representatives to question the clans, rather than rely on what he might be able to hear, see, or feel from the tower.