An explanation please?

Question

2 Samuel: 14
27 And unto Absalom (there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar): she was a woman of a fair countenance.

2 Samuel: 18
18 Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, (I have no son) to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.

2 Chronicles: 11
20 And after her he took (Maachah the daughter of Absalom); which bare him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith

Now the questions:
How many sons did Absalom have?
Who's Machaah's father?

Answer 1

Absalom had three sons born to him (2 Samuel 14:27). Thus, it would seem odd that he would have to set up a monument to himself, claiming, "I have no son to keep my name in remembrance."

There are a couple possibilities for this. It may be that on account of his actions (murder, 13:23-33; treason, 15:1-12), Absalom's sons were taken from him. David, on account of his actions (adultery, 12:9-15; failing to protect his daughter, 13:1-20; failing to punish Amnon for raping Tamar, 13:21-22; failing to punish Absalom for murdering Amnon, 13:23-33, etc.) lost three of his sons. It may have happened the same for Absalom.

It might also be possible that Absalom's sons remained, but he simply did not consider them to be worthy to keep his name in remembrance in Israel. Throughout the Bible record of Absalom's life, we are witness to a self-absorbed man, and it may be that this attitude even reigned his thoughts with regard to his own offspring.

Answer 2

This verse (14:27) says that Absalom had three sons. Why then, a few chapters later (18:18), does Absalom say that he has no sons?

You are taking it out of context. (no not really, but they like to explain away contradictions that way)

Answer 3

Many historians believe that the these are two different Absaloms.

Answer 4

lets see he had none and his wife cheated on him. There problem solved.