But the cowardly Noah did not lead his people against the Lamanites at all. He ordered the Nephites to flee for their lives and he was at the head of the pack as they raced out of the city:
“And now the king was not so much concerned about his people as he was about his own life; nevertheless, Gideon did spare his life. And the king commanded the people that they should flee before the Lamanites, and he himself did go before them, and they did flee into the wilderness, with their women and their children. And it came to pass that the Lamanites did pursue them, and did overtake them, and began to slay them. Now it came to pass that the king commanded them that all the men should leave their wives and their children, and flee before the Lamanites.”