Mosiah 22:1 - 22:5

Mosiah 22:1 And now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage; and even they did cause that all the people should gather themselves together; and this they did that they might have the voice of the people concerning the matter.

A mass meeting was held with all the people to get opinions on how to escape the Lamanites.
[Through Ammon they would know how to get back to Zarahemla, so they now only had to figure out how to escape rather than how to escape and find their way to Zarahemla too.]

Mosiah 22:2 And it came to pass that they could find no way to deliver themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their women and children, and their flocks, and their herds, and their tents, and depart into the wilderness; for the Lamanites being so numerous, it was impossible for the people of Limhi to contend with them, thinking to deliver themselves out of bondage by the sword.

It was decided because of the efforts by force to free themselves from domination by the Lamanites had failed repeatedly, that they would take their possessions and escape into the wilderness to make their way back to Zarahemla.
[I guess up to this time Limhi wanted to stay in the land of Nephi so his object was to remove Lamanite domination of his people. Escape was not his object in times previous thinking he could either by force or other means remain in the land of Nephi. Wonder if he was thinking that since the Nephites appeared to have been destroyed as evidence by the land of bones his scouts had found and thinking is was the land of Zarahemla and that they had no where to go, they might as well make their stand in the land of Nephi where their homes were.]

Mosiah 22:3 Now it came to pass that Gideon went forth and stood before the king, and said unto him: Now O king, thou hast hitherto hearkened unto my words many times when we have been contending with our brethren, the Lamanites.

Gideon once more comes forth with again but this time with a plan to escape. He has been of value to the king in the past and wants to king to listen to him now.

Mosiah 22:4 And now O king, if thou hast not found me to be an unprofitable servant, or if thou hast hitherto listened to my words in any degree, and they have been of service to thee, even so I desire that thou wouldst listen to my words at this time, and I will be thy servant and deliver this people out of bondage.

Gideon says he has a plan to escape the Lamanites. His advise has been of great value in the past, so Limhi should at least listen to him now.

Mosiah 22:5 And the king granted unto him that he might speak. And Gideon said unto him:

King Limhi granted him permission to speak.