And it came to pass that the ^aarmy of the king returned, having searched in vain for the people of the Lord.

 2 And now behold, the forces of the king were small, having been reduced, and there began to be a division among the remainder of the people.

 3 And the lesser part began to ^abreathe out threatenings against the king, and there began to be a great contention among them.

 4 And now there was a man among them whose name was Gideon, and he being a strong man and an enemy to the king, therefore he drew his sword, and swore in his wrath that he would slay the king.

 5 And it came to pass that he fought with the king; and when the king saw that he was about to overpower him, he fled and ran and got upon the ^atower which was near the temple.

 6 And Gideon pursued after him and was about to get upon the tower to slay the king, and the king cast his eyes round about towards the land of ^aShemlon, and behold, the army of the Lamanites were within the borders of the land.

 7 And now the king cried out in the anguish of his soul, saying: Gideon, ^aspare me, for the Lamanites are upon us, and they will destroy us; yea, they will destroy my people.

 8 And now the king was not so much concerned about his people as he was about his ^aown life; nevertheless, Gideon did spare his life.

 9 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.

 10 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did pursue them, and did overtake them, and began to slay them.

 11 Now it came to pass that the king commanded them that all the men should ^aleave their wives and their children, and flee before the Lamanites.

 12 Now there were many that would not leave them, but had rather stay and perish with them. And the rest left their wives and their children and fled.

 13 And it came to pass that those who tarried with their wives and their children caused that their fair daughters should stand forth and plead with the Lamanites that they would not slay them.

 14 And it came to pass that the Lamanites had compassion on them, for they were charmed with the beauty of their women.