The people obeyed King Noah's command and fled into the wilderness. But the forces of the Lamanites, unencumbered with women and children, soon overtook them. Then the coward king commanded the men to continue their flight and leave their wives and children to the mercy of the enemy. Some obeyed and fled further into the uninhabited regions where they would not be found. Others preferred to stay and, if necessary, perish with those to whom they were the natural protectors. Those who stayed, in the agony induced in them when the Lamanites drew near, sent their fairest daughters to plead with their enemies for their lives. This act saved them. For the dark warriors of King Laman were so charmed with the beauty of the Nephite women that they spared all their lives. Yet, notwithstanding this, they took the Nephites captives, and carried them back to Lehi-Nephi where they gave the Nephites permission to retain their homes and lands, but under very demanding conditions.
There were two conditions imposed by the Lamanite captors.. First, they should surrender King Noah into the hands of the Lamanites. Second, they were to deliver up to the Lamanites one-half of every thing they possessed, and continue paying this tribute of one-half of their gains year after year.
King Noah's son, Limhi, who was a righteous man and who was among the captured Nephites, was not desirous that his father should be delivered to the Lamanites for he knew that they would destroy him, yet he also knew of his father's many sins. Being a just man, Limhi did not interfere with the demands of the Lamanites wherein his own people were spared their lives.
Gideon now sent men to search for King Noah so that he might be turned over to the Lamanites. They found the deserters-all except Noah and his priests. They also found that these men were ashamed of their cowardly flight, that they swore in their hearts that if their wives and children and the men who had remained with them had been killed, they would have revenge, and, if it so be, perish in like manner. To this end they resolved to return to Lehi-Nephi.