1 AND now it came to pass that when Abinadi had finished these sayings, that the king commanded that the priests should take him [ Why would he have commanded the priests to take him and not the guards? Were the guards not present at that time? In vs 5 he then commands the guards to take Abinadi. ] and cause that he should be put to death. [ Or is he saying to rule against him so that he can legally put him to death? ]

2 But there was one [ He singles him out because he is different and he stands alone. ] among them whose name was Alma, he also being a descendant of Nephi. [ so is this how or why he is different? Were the rest of the priests all Mulekites? If they were all Mulekite descendants then they would have been more favorable to the traditions of their fathers which was more secular in nature. (Omni 1:17) ] And he was a young man, [ Is this how he is different? Where the rest of the priests old? ] and he believed the words which Abinadi had spoken, [ Was he different because he believed Abinidi? We can suppose that since all three characterists were brought out that he was different for all three reasons. ] for he knew concerning the iniquity which Abinadi had testified against them; therefore he began to plead with the king that he would not be angry with Abinadi, but suffer that he might depart in peace.

3 But the king was more wroth, [ Any dissension here would put the King on notice that the words of Abinidi were connecting with some people, and if it was connecting with his priests then he had big problems already. He had to act fast. No wonder he was so upset. ] and caused that Alma should be cast out from among them, [ So first he throws Alma out. Then he begins to realize that he needs to stop him as well. What will Alma do? Will he cause more dissension? ] and sent his servants after him that they might slay him. [ The answer: He must kill Alma as well so he sends his servants now to find and kill Alma. ]

4 But he fled from before them and hid himself that they found him not. And he being concealed for many days did write all the words which Abinadi had spoken. [ So he has the presence of mind to make good notes of what Abinidi said while he was hiding. These are the words which Mormon will later use to reconstruct the dialog. We know that Mormon had access to Almas words and maybe he had writings from others of what happened, such that he had access to both sides of the story maybe making the dialog appear more realistic. ]

5 And it came to pass that the king caused that his guards should surround Abinadi and take him; [ So the guards must not have been present until now as he earlier tells the Priests to take Abinidi not the guards; now he is instructing the guards to do so. ] and they bound him and cast him into prison.

6 And after three days, [ What does it suggest in that it took so long to come up with charges against Abinidi? ] having counseled with his priests, he caused that he should again be brought before him.

7 And he said unto him: Abinadi, we have found an accusation against thee, [ A crime to charge you with. ] and thou art worthy of death. [ What are they trying to do here? If they threaten him with his life then maybe he will recant, and get him to see if he really believes unto death what he has taught. ]

8 For thou hast said that God himself should come down among the children of men; [ Why does this threaten them so? Why would this be justification for the death penalty? ] and now, for this cause thou shalt be put to death unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast spoken evil concerning me and my people. [ What are the words that he said that were evil about them
? Mosiah 12:2 - That they would be brought into bondage due to their iniquities; if they do not repent they will be destroyed; 12:29 You pretend to preach the Law of Moses but you do not live it nor understand it; 13:28 that salvation comes through the atonement and the sacrifice of the son of God 15:11 - Repent and receive a remission of your sins. ]

9 Now Abinadi said unto him: I say unto you, I will not recall the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are true; and that ye may know of their surety I have suffered myself that I have fallen into your hands. [ How does Abinidi respond? Well it is not that you captured my per se; or in other words I could have remained quiet. But I did not; and I did not for a purpose, so that I could testify to you of your wickedness. ]

10 Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my words, [ So if your plan is to threaten me with death to have me recant - then you are wasting my time. ] and they shall stand as a testimony against you. [ How will his words be used as a testimony against them? ] And if ye slay me ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall also stand as a testimony against you at the last day. [ Note the logic of Abinidi. ]

11 And now king Noah was about to release him, for he feared his word; [ Do you think that the spirit had testified to King Noah to the point where he knew the words were true? Kings usually do not ever change their minds; so the fact that he was having doubts shows that he had been touched in some way.] for he feared that the judgments of God would come upon him.

12 But the priests lifted up their voices against him, [ So who changes the Kings mind? What do the Priests have to loose here? Well it is there job and their way of life and if they let Abinidi go free he is not going to stop until there is full blown rebellion - to the point were the priests will either have to repent and change or quit. ] and began to accuse him, saying: He has reviled [ Offended or insulted - So what do the Priests attempt to do? They appeal to the pride of the King; they make him feel that if he backs down he will loose face; he will be weak... The priests know how to manipulate the King to get what they want and they do so here. We get a glimpse of the real nature of the priests. ] the king. Therefore the king was stirred up in anger against him, [ Note the emotion that they enrage. When we make decisions under the duress of anger how good are our decisions? ] and he delivered him up that he might be slain.

13 And it came to pass that they took him and bound him, and scourged [ Whipped or beat ] his skin with faggots, [ Bundles of twigs, sticks or branches. ] yea, even unto death.

14 And now when the flames began to scorch him, he cried unto them, saying:

15 Behold, even as ye have done unto me, so shall it come to pass that thy seed shall cause that many shall suffer the pains that I do suffer, even the pains of death by fire; [ Abinidi knows how he is going to die and so he continues his warning from Mosiah 13:10 suggesting that what they do to him will come back to be the death to which they will be subjected - This prophecy is fulfilled when Noah is put to death by fire in Mosiah 19:20 and then the priests and their children in Alma 25: 4-12. ] and this because they believe in the salvation of the Lord their God.

16 And it will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with all manner of diseases because of your iniquities.

17 Yea, and ye shall be smitten on every hand, and shall be driven and scattered to and fro, even as a wild flock is driven by wild and ferocious beasts.

18 And in that day ye shall be hunted, and ye shall be taken by the hand of your enemies, and then ye shall suffer, as I suffer, the pains of death by fire.

19 Thus God executeth vengeance upon those that destroy his people. O God, receive my soul.

20 And now, *when ^aAbinadi [ A type of the manner in which the seed of his persecutors (the priests of Noah) would be destroyed (by fire)] had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death.