One of the most dissatisfied among the people was Gideon, an officer of the king's army. There is no reason to suspect that he was a wicked man, although he held an office under King Noah. Later he proved that he possessed all the virtues of a good, pure, and wise man. In the revolution that now arose between King Noah and his people, Gideon sought to slay the king. But Noah escaped to the tower he had constructed near the site of the temple. There Gideon, sword in hand, quickly followed him. The king mounted to the top of the tower, where he accidentally caught sight of an invading army of Lamanites in the Land of Shemlon, which lay near by. In the terror caused by this unexpected sight, he appealed to the patriotism of Gideon, and besought him to spare his life, so that he, as their king, could lead his people into battle and to safety. Noah made this plausible excuse, not that he cared for his people, but that he might preserve his life. Gideon consented to spare Noah's life, and the king, in mortal terror, ordered his people to flee into the wilderness so as to escape the advancing hosts of Lamanites.