 Zimri's suicide by self-immolation is not unique in ancient narratives.The legendary king Sardanapalus of Assyria supposedly died in this manner, and there are similar accounts on the deaths of the historical kings Shamash-shum-ukin of Babylon (reigned 667-648 BC) and Sinsharishkun of Assyria (reigned c. 627-612 BC).Barnes notes that Zimri was the last king of Israel to use Tirzah as his capital city.