A consistent OT pattern: it's the LEADERS of Israel who persecute God's messengers (Jezebel vs. Elijah, Saul vs. David, people of Ephraim vs. Gideon, King Jehoiakim vs. Jeremiah). The motive: wanting power, credit, and avoidance of suffering.

Specific examples: Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah right after Mount Carmel (should have led national repentance); Saul tries to kill David while David plays worship music for him; Gideon's own people want to kill him, then the Ephraimite leaders fight him after his victory; Jehoiakim cuts up and burns Jeremiah's scroll. Jeremiah 7:25-26 summarizes: "Since the day your fathers came out of Egypt, I have sent my servants the prophets... yet they did not listen." Three motives behind rejection: (1) wanting power/control over their own kingdom/lives, (2) wanting credit (the gospel gives zero credit to humans), (3) wanting to avoid suffering (prophets bring bad news). These same motives drive modern rejection of the gospel.