Literary: Mormon intended for verses 1 and 2 to be read together. They form a contrasting parallel set. In verse 1 we have the positive effect of the preaching, and in verse 2 the antithesis. Stating the result in this parallel fashion only serves to highlight the iniquity of those who chose not to repent. By showing that there were those who repented and searched the scriptures, Alma manages to show that the message was correct and inspired, and that those who were capable of understanding it did receive it.
This is contrasted with the larger number of people who did not accept. First, they did not accept because of their own volition. We know that Amulek and Alma were effective in their role because they did convert some. These people must have hardened their hearts to the point where they were past feeling (as were Laman and Lemuel, 1 Nephi 17:45). They have thus elected this course on their own. As with most who so consciously reject the powerful testimony of the spirit, their response is not apathy, but open anger and a desire to lash out against the testimony that has been raised against them. It appears that the deeper the distance from the Spirit, the greater the anger when confronted by the testimony of that Spirit.