Jared and hist brother gathered all their posterity together and asked what they could do for their people before they died. The people wanted them to establish a king over all the people.
"And now behold, this was grievous unto them. And the brother of Jared said unto them: Surely this thing leadeth into captivity." (Ether 6:23)
They didn't really like the idea. I think he perhaps saw a little into the future, knowing that there would be something that happened to the people, knowing the influence of a king, for better or worse, depending on their righteousness or wickedness.
It turns out that indeed he was right. Jared's son, Orihah, was made king. He was a good man, and the people prospered under his rule.
"And it came to pass that Orihah did walk humbly before the Lord, and did remember how great things the Lord had done for his father, and also taught his people how great things the Lord had done for their fathers." (Ether 6:30)
A good, righteous king will teach people correct principles and have them do good things.
Kib, Orihah's son, took over as king, and his son drew away a faction of people and took Kib (his own father) captive.
"And when he had gathered together an army he came up unto the land of Moron where the king dwelt, and took him captive, which brought to pass the saying of the brother of Jared that they would be brought into captivity." (Ether 7 5)
After much back and forth, Shule, another one of Kib's sons, became king, and he was a righteous king.
"And he did execute a law throughout all the land, which gave power unto the prophets that they should go whithersoever they would; and by this cause the people were brought unto repentance." (Ether 7:25)
Through the laws that were established by the righteous king, people were brought to repentance.
One leader can have a great influence over so many people.
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