It is obvious that Lehi the Nephite general had a great reputation among the Lamanites. And when they found out that he was in charge of the defense of the city of Noah they would liked to have retreated and found another place to attack. However, they had felt so desperate to be able to report back to Amalickiah some activity of their military adventure that would please him that they took an oath to attack the city of Noah regardless of what they found there. Of course, it was a great shock to them to find the famous commander Lehi in charge, but they determined to go ahead and attack anyway.