The people of Ammon have already received the guards of the Lamanite king who fled when Amalickiah framed them for the king’s assassination (Alma 47:29). The relatively recent arrival of the Ammonites from the land of Nephi would suggest the people of Ammon as the best hosts for more Lamanites who are under covenant not to fight the Nephites. Even though the Ammonites had begun in Jershon, the war had caused their relocation to Melek (Alma 35:13). As hypothesized in the case of Laman (one of the king’s guards who had taken Moroni’s wine to the Lamanites guarding Nephite prisoners at Gid), there was probably a language difference in the two peoples. (See commentary accompanying Alma 55:8.) Language compatibility would have been another reason for assigning these paroled prisoners to Melek and the Ammonites.
Because these Lamanites have no weapons and have promised not to fight the Nephites again, this aspect forms another common element with the people of Ammon. The absence of weapons may make it easier for the newly arrived Lamanites to keep their oath.