The comment that Limhi was a just man appears to place him on the same side of the internal conflict as Gideon, in spite of being the son of the king. Nevertheless, Limhi did not desire that his father should die, even though it appears clear that he was happy enough to have deposed him. Gideon is clearly important in Limhi’s new government from the beginning, and it is to him that Limhi turns in order to send people to find Noah and the priests.
What they find is some of the people who fled with Noah, but who then rebelled. The story is told quickly, and the fact that they executed Noah by fire is given to provide the fulfilment of Abinadi’s prophecy that the king would be like a garment in a fire (Mosiah 12:10).
The short line telling that the priests were to be put to death, but fled, becomes important later in the relation. As Mormon is writing, he certainly knows that they will have an important role to play later, so he makes certain to tell his readers that they have escaped.