The king-men were a political faction in the Nephite society during the latter half of the first century BC, specifically mentioned in the years around 67 BC to 62 BC. They desired a departure from the established free government of judges to a monarchy and comprised individuals who considered themselves of noble birth and higher social standing (Alma 51:8).
Their first significant conflict with the ruling government came to a head when they sought, through a legal petition, to depose the chief judge, Pahoran I, and establish a king. The opposing faction, known as the freemen, were determined to uphold the existing system of judges and the freedom it represented. The two groups clashed ideologically, with the freemen eventually prevailing in a popular vote, affirming their commitment to a free government (Alma 51:3-7). Despite their defeat in the courts of law, the king-men did not relinquish their agenda.
Tensions between the king-men and the established government escalated when the Lamanite army, under the command of Amalickiah, threatened Nephite security. The king-men openly rejoiced at this development and refused to support the Nephite armament, actively choosing not to defend their nation (Alma 51:13). Such actions led the chief Nephite commander, Moroni, to seek permission to enforce military support from the king-men or to sentence them to death. Moroni’s forces engaged the king-men, resulting in the death of approximately four thousand and the imprisonment of their leaders, with the survival of other king-men contingent on their willingness to fight for the Nephite cause under the “title of liberty” (Alma 51:14-21).
Furthermore, the king-men resurfaced several years later, rallying around a rebellion that temporarily deposed Pahoran and invited the prospect of a kingship. Once again met with fierce opposition from Moroni and the freemen, who viewed their actions as treasonous, especially during a time of war, the insurgency was quelled, and the king-men’s leaders, along with those who refused to defend their country, were executed according to the laws of the land (Alma 62:9). This action effectively culminated in the dissolution of the king-men as a known faction within Nephite society.