The character of King Noah, one of Zeniff’s sons, was not positive: he was disobedient and debauched, excessive and extravagant, sacrilegious and idolatrous, and flattering and deceiving. It is bad enough to sin but far worse to cause others to sin—which Noah did. Noah had an “edifice complex,” constructing elegant public buildings and towers and a palace and temple with fine woodwork and precious metals. He heavily taxed his people to finance all his public works.
Noah and his accomplices in crime and sin spent their time in drunkenness and riotous and promiscuous living. The people became bloodthirsty and boastful, so they were ripening for destruction. In such debased conditions came the warning voice of the prophet Abinadi.
Abinadi is much like John the Baptist. The parallels are striking: lone prophets ministering to two law-of-Moses societies, both preaching repentance, both fulfilling the office of Elias in testifying of the Messiah, and both preparing the way for him. Both were bold, both were colorful, and both were killed by wicked political rulers.