The setup of this strategy was to send a believable-looking supply unit to provision the city beyond Antiparah. Since the Lamanites had begun to leave their fortified cities to disrupt the supply lines, they would most likely take the bait and come out against Helaman and his army. Antipus marched out from Judea after enough time had passed that the spies would report Helaman’s column to the leader in Antiparah, but would not notice the movement of Antipus’ men.