When verse 7 indicates that “this matter of their contention was settled by the voice of the people,” it is not exactly correct. The question was certainly put to the people, and the voice of the people was in favor of retaining the judges, but that did not mean that the division in their society was over.
Further information about the nature of this division comes in verse 8, where we find that “those who were in favor of kings were those of high birth.” That “high birth” suggests that they may have had ties with the families who had been in line to become kings prior to the arrival of the Nephites. They were people who had power in wealth and position, and felt that they deserved more of both. The fact that it was important families behind this division likely influenced many to support them.
At the same time that there was internal political and religious division, one of those who had desired to be a Nephite king, now king among the Lamanites, again stirred his people to war against the Nephites. Amalickiah’s armies had been defeated at the city of Noah by Chief Captain Moroni’s defensive efforts, and Amalickiah developed a personal hatred for Moroni. He “had sworn to drink the blood of Moroni.”
Mormon could not help but add that this “promise which he made was rash.” Mormon let’s his audience know that Amalickiah will not be successful, even before Mormon began to describe what Amalickiah did to try to fulfill the promise.