Gideon, formerly an officer in King Noah's army, presented himself before King Limhi, and reminded him that many times in the past the king had hearkened to his advice when the king was contending with the Lamanites.
Gideon also said that if the king had found his former opinions worthy, and if they proved to have had merit, then he begged the king to listen to "my words at this time, and I will be thy servant and deliver this people out of bondage."
King Limhi granted Gideon the opportunity to speak.
Gideon reminded the king of certain features in the city's defenses. In the wall that surrounded the city there was a pass, and through it was a means of escape. The Lamanite guards that were placed there "by night are drunken." The plan was to notify all the people to gather their flocks and herds, "that they may drive them into the wilderness by night." Then Gideon would go according to the king's command and give the guards a tribute of wine. Then when they were in a drunken stupor, the Nephites would make good their escape through the pass that lies to the left of the Lamanites' camp. Later they would unite and take their course into the wilderness going around the Land of Shilom, and from there would go to Zarahemla.