[Ezekiel Bathfire]

I have to agree with you. To the Catholic, who reads only 2% of the Bible, or to the atheist, who reads only to mock, such facts appear trivial. However the True Christian can find deeper faith in such verses:

1Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam – an exact and verifiable date
the son of Nebat – just in case there was ever another Jeroboam
reigned Abijam over Judah – thus giving context and political meaning and nuances to the demeanor and outlook of Abijam.
2 Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. – indicating that he might have ruled from somewhere else, but that as, at the time, his sort of king only reigned in Jerusalem,
and his mother's name was Maachah, - More checkable facts. So much that must be true! Thus we have good reason to accept all that is written.
the daughter of Abishalom. Pinning the lady down to a specific person! More checkable facts.

See how this ties in with
1Ki:15:9: And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah.
1Ki:15:10: And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.

From which we can confidently say that Abijam and Asa were brothers.

And it is also so well put! I well remember when I was no more than 6 years old, my father set me to learn the Bible by heart (just in case of a disaster when no Bible was available). I complained at such verses, but he, as he beat me for insolence, and possible blasphemy, in his paternal wisdom replied, “Ezekiel, my boy you will find that the Path to Salvation is filled with Trivia, for trivia is the only important thing in the world. Trivia is God’s Wisdom – but God’s Wisdom is the wisdom whose significance we do not currently grasp.”

And I have found that to be true.

As you say, It is “neat.”