The answer is: Burned his house down while still inside it

1 Ki 16:18

King Zimri's fiery end is one of the more dramatic tales found in 1 Kings. To recap, Zimri came to power in a swift coup, culminating in taking out his predecessor on a royal carpet—talk about a power move! However, Zimri's reign lasted only seven days. Yes, you read that right! Given his brief rule, it almost seems like he was the king who was here one minute and gone the next, making his downfall all the more intriguing.

What’s particularly fascinating is how he met his end; in an act of desperation when faced with his enemies. As the troops of Omri, his rival, closed in, Zimri chose a dramatic option—he would hold fast inside his palace and set it ablaze. This moment echoes a common theme throughout history: it's better to go out in a blaze of glory than to surrender.

Zimri’s drastic action resonates through other fiery tales in the Bible, such as the account of Sodom and Gomorrah, which also met their fiery fate due to decisions led by morality—a question of righteous living taken to radical extremes. His story reminds us of the sudden shifts of fortune seen numerous times in Biblical narratives. Kings and leaders are often portrayed as fleeting figures who grace power only temporarily, further emphasizing that in the grand tapestry of life, might doesn’t always equate to lasting legacy.