Genesis 21:1

The LORD kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised.

Genesis 21:2

She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would.

Genesis 21:3

And Abraham named their son Isaac.

Genesis 21:4

Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded.

Genesis 21:5

Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.

Genesis 21:6

And Sarah declared, "God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me.

Genesis 21:7

Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!"

Genesis 21:8

When Isaac grew up and was about to be weaned, Abraham prepared a huge feast to celebrate the occasion.

Genesis 21:9

But Sarah saw Ishmael-- the son of Abraham and her Egyptian servant Hagar-- making fun of her son, Isaac.

Genesis 21:10

So she turned to Abraham and demanded, "Get rid of that slave-woman and her son. He is not going to share the inheritance with my son, Isaac. I won't have it!"

Genesis 21:11

This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was his son.

Genesis 21:12

But God told Abraham, "Do not be upset over the boy and your servant. Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.

Genesis 21:13

But I will also make a nation of the descendants of Hagar's son because he is your son, too."

Genesis 21:14

So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar's shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Genesis 21:15

When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush.

Genesis 21:16

Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. "I don't want to watch the boy die," she said, as she burst into tears.

Genesis 21:17

But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, "Hagar, what's wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.

Genesis 21:18

Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants."

Genesis 21:19

Then God opened Hagar's eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink.

Genesis 21:20

And God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness. He became a skillful archer,

Genesis 21:21

and he settled in the wilderness of Paran. His mother arranged for him to marry a woman from the land of Egypt.

Genesis 21:22

About this time, Abimelech came with Phicol, his army commander, to visit Abraham. "God is obviously with you, helping you in everything you do," Abimelech said.

Genesis 21:23

"Swear to me in God's name that you will never deceive me, my children, or any of my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so now swear that you will be loyal to me and to this country where you are living as a foreigner."

Genesis 21:24

Abraham replied, "Yes, I swear to it!"

Genesis 21:25

Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech's servants had taken by force from Abraham's servants.

Genesis 21:26

"This is the first I've heard of it," Abimelech answered. "I have no idea who is responsible. You have never complained about this before."

Genesis 21:27

Abraham then gave some of his sheep, goats, and cattle to Abimelech, and they made a treaty.

Genesis 21:28

But Abraham also took seven additional female lambs and set them off by themselves.

Genesis 21:29

Abimelech asked, "Why have you set these seven apart from the others?"

Genesis 21:30

Abraham replied, "Please accept these seven lambs to show your agreement that I dug this well."

Genesis 21:31

Then he named the place Beersheba (which means "well of the oath"), because that was where they had sworn the oath.

Genesis 21:32

After making their covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech left with Phicol, the commander of his army, and they returned home to the land of the Philistines.

Genesis 21:33

Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he worshiped the LORD, the Eternal God.

Genesis 21:34

And Abraham lived as a foreigner in Philistine country for a long time.