At the King's command, the unfriendly throng that had gathered in Noah's counsel chamber, including among them his wanton priests, attempted to seize Abinadi to carry out the dread decision of the wasted king. Protected by divine power he "withstood them"; they were unable to overcome the strength Abinadi received from On High.
Do me no harm; do not even "touch me," was his defiant challenge to them. "God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me."
Emboldened by the knowledge he had of the wondrous ways of the Lord, and further strengthened by his inspired calling to proclaim them, Abinadi warned the priests and their cohorts, who had become a disorderly crowd, that, as yet, he had not delivered to them, the message the Lord had given him, and, besides, he had not answered the request made to him by the priests to explain certain words spoken by the Prophet Isaiah. Until this was done, Abinadi declared that the Lord would not "suffer him to be destroyed."
I will do the things the Lord has commanded me to do. (See COMMENTARY ON THE BOOK OF MORMON, Vol.. I, p. 31) The faith and integrity of Abinadi knew no bounds. He said, "I must fulfil the commandments wherewith God has commanded me"; moreover, he charged the priests, "You hate the truth, you are dismayed by the things I say of your wickedness; you, therefore, are angry with me and hope to completely destroy me that your sins may be blotted out amongst men and remembered, by them, no more."
God permitted Noah and his priests to reach "that goal, beyond which, the last effort of human wickedness cannot pass."
Noah imagined that by doing away with Abinadi, his own sins would be known to none but himself. This, too, was the idea of his companions. Today, it is the conclusion of many who think their vices, as well as their virtues, are unknown to God above. There is a God in heaven who knoweth all things.
Men, sometimes, seek to pervert His ways to abet their own wicked plans. They excuse themselves in doing that which is most to be eschewed; at the same time they point to a merciful Father who neither wishes to punish nor to inflict sorrow upon His wayward children.
God is slow to anger, but, if ever the thought presents itself to you that your actions are not known to Him, remember the words of King David, "Understand,...he that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see? He that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? (Ps. 94:8-10) All our ways are known to the Lord.
Cognizant of the enmity of King Noah and his priests, their designs against him and the conspiracy into which they had entered to destroy him, Abinadi was, nevertheless, determined to fulfill his divine commission though it may cost his life.
How like the faith of the Prophet Lehi was the unquestioning belief of Abinadi, this heroic servant of God. How like the firmness of purpose shown by Nephi in doing the will of the Lord was the resolute quality of his mind. Abinadi knew but one course to pursue, "I will do the things the Lord has commanded me to do."
We may learn, here, a lesson in Obedience. Read, if you will, the story told in the Bible, that dear and precious book, of Esther and Mordecai. The story of Abinadi found in the Book of Mormon is equally impressive, also the story of Lehi and Nephi.
In terms of years, about eighty had passed since he and his family left their homeland in Judea to seek a land which God had prepared for them, the same fidelity and devotion shown by Lehi in obeying the voice of the Lord, was manifest by Esther in her loyalty to her fathers, and by Mordecai, her cousin, whose determination to worship, only the True and Living God, thwarted the evil designs of Haman to destroy God's chosen people.
In remembrance of their faithfulness, the Jews, in humble supplication to the Giver of all Good, offer a prayer in which we will do well to unite. Let us borrow a portion of its words and add the names of Lehi and Nephi, not forgetting those of Esther and Mordecai, and beseech that same Mighty Ruler-
"Imbue us, O God, with the faith of former generations of Israel. Give us courage and steadfastness that," like Lehi, Thy servant of old, we may learn to listen to the promptings of that Still Small Voice which cometh from Thee to lead, and to direct, and to warn of things to come. "Uphold us," that like Nephi, "we may walk undaunted in the path of duty and loyalty even though it cost all we hold dear."
As is often the case when evil men are confronted with the truth concerning their wicked practices, when the good in them is smothered by depraved yearnings, and the darkness about them, like a beast, seeks to devour the pure and the noble; they no longer hate the bad, despise the lewd, and shrink from error, but, instead, they treat with wrath and derision the person to whom their guilt is known. They condemn the wise, and scorn the just. King Noah refused to turn from his wicked ways as the prophet of the Lord called him to do, but in the place of repentance, he added anger to the crimes he had already committed, and judged his accuser to be insane because Abinadi declared the Word of God.