This is the first time we see a disconnect between the righteousness of the king and the people. Typically, the king is given as the representative of all the people and therefore the cause of the people turning against God. Com is the exception. This chapter was not originally separated from the previous chapter in our current editions of the Book of Mormon, so the reason that there is such a disconnect can easily be lost if we select and read this chapter separately from the previous one.
In Ether 10:33-34, we learned: “And in the days of Com there began to be robbers in the land; and they adopted the old plans, and administered oaths after the manner of the ancients, and sought again to destroy the kingdom. Now Com did fight against them much; nevertheless, he did not prevail against them.”
Com attempted to be righteous, but the secret combinations had begun to take hold of the people’s hearts. Thus, Com not only “did not prevail” against the robbers, but he similarly did not prevail against his own people’s turn to wickedness, as seen in their rejection of the prophets.