Two years later he "took the hands" of Bel-Merodach, and was thereby adopted by the god as his own son.

But he did not live long to enjoy the fruits of his victories.

He died December B.C.727, and another usurper, Ulula, possessed himself of the throne, and assumed the name of Shalmaneser IV.
His reign, however, was short.

He died while besieging Samaria, which had revolted after the death of its conqueror, and in December B.C.

722, a third general seized the vacant crown.