When the Jaredites wanted a king, the brother of Jared warned them: "surely this thing leadeth into captivity" (Ether 6:23). This warning is not alone in the Book of Mormon. King Mosiah also commented on the potential dangers of kings (see Mosiah 29:16-24). A similar situation is also found in the Bible. The people of Israel, like the people of Jared, suddenly wanted to change to a monarchial form of government. The prophet Samuel, who was the judge or ruler over Israel, was saddened by his people's request. But the Lord revealed the real problem when he told Samuel, "they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them" (1 Samuel 8:7). Then the Lord told Samuel to give in to their request after warning them of the consequences of their wishes (see 1 Samuel 8:11-18). Sadly, the Israelites, just like the Jaredites, refused to obey the voice of their prophet and seer.
In the case of the Jaredites, the prediction of kingship leading to captivity proved true. Kib, and later his son Shule, were taken captive by rivals. From the illustration below, the reader should notice how short the time was between the brother of Jared's prophecy and its fulfillment. [CES, Book of Mormon Student Manual: Religion 121 and 122, 1989, p. 139] [See the commentary on Mosiah 29:5]
Ether 6:23 Surely this thing [Kingship] leadeth into captivity ([Illustration]): The following genealogical chart illustrates the early part of Jaredite history. Notice how short the time was between the brother of Jared's prophecy and its fulfillment. [CES, Book of Mormon Student Manual: Religion 121 and 122, 1989, p. 139]