When a new king takes power, the historical record carefully establishes his foundational background. The account details the essential biographical facts that mark the beginning of his rule, specifically noting his exact age at the time he assumes the throne and the total number of years he eventually reigns from the capital city of Jerusalem.
Alongside the king's own details, the record highlights the identity and hometown of his mother. In preserving her name, a slight variation exists within the textual tradition. The formal written text spells her name one way, while the accepted spoken tradition dictates a slightly different pronunciation [מנחת שי].