Why did Noah hold a council to decide Abinadi’s fate?

Thomas R. Valletta

“That Noah shared jurisdiction with his priests is not surprising given the limited judicial role kings played in ancient Israel. Israel’s king seldom participated in everyday judicial matters. … Similarly, King Noah participated in Abinadi’s trial probably because the case arose in the capital city and involved charges of lying against the king (and his household). Because the claims against Abinadi also involved priestly matters (i.e., the charge of false prophecy against the people), King Noah could not adjudicate the case without respecting the jurisdiction of his priests” (Kerr, “Ancient Aspects of Nephite Kingship,” 98).

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