Ibn Rashid made a feint towards Kuwait and then marched on Riyadh. Ibn Saud once again outmaneuvered his enemy. Instead of rushing to relieve Riyadh, he led his forces into the territory of the Al Rashid, heading towards Hail. Word of the plundering of Al Rashid land quickly reached Ibn Rashid's men as they laid siege to Riyadh. While they were faced by stout walls and stiff resistance outside Riyadh, their own lands and loved ones were vulnerable to the depredations of their enemy. The army of Ibn Rashid broke up as the bedouin hastened home to protect their own.
Encouraged by the obvious irresolution of Ibn Rashid's remaining forces, the defenders of Riyadh were able to sally forth, under the command of Ibn Saud's father, Abdul Rahman, and hasten their departure.
By the end of the season, Ibn Saud had the victory of the battle of Dilam to his credit and could justly claim to have consolidated his position in a remarkably short space of time. He was now in a position to go on the offensive once again.