Upon the death of their chief leader it was the custom of the Lamanites for the second in command to succeed to the position of chief leader. Amalickiah knew this, and deeply plotted the death of Lehonti, the commander-in-chief. He fomented a plan whereby Lehonti would die, as it were, a natural death, and caused that a trusted servant of his own would administer a slow poison to Lehonti until he died. With Lehonti out of the way, Amalickiah became their leader and chief commander.