In hopes of attaining his father's dream, Joseph sent messengers to the ruler of the neighboring kingdom of Almeria, Ibn Sumadih, a traditional enemy of Granada. He promised to open the gates of the city to the king's army if he promised to install Joseph as king in exchange for his submission and allegiance. At the last moment, Ibn Sumadih pulled out, and on the eve of the supposed invasion, word of the plot got out. When word reached the populace, people claimed that he killed the king and was about to betray the kingdom.