11. This troubled Abraham very much, because Ishmael was also his son.
12. But God said to Abraham, “Don't be worried about the boy and your slave Hagar. Do whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I have promised.
13. I will also give many children to the son of the slave woman, so that they will become a nation. He too is your son.”
14. Early the next morning Abraham gave Hagar some food and a leather bag full of water. He put the child on her back and sent her away. She left and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15. When the water was all gone, she left the child under a bush
16. and sat down about a hundred metres away. She said to herself, “I can't bear to see my child die.” While she was sitting there, she began to cry.
17. God heard the boy crying, and from heaven the angel of God spoke to Hagar, “What are you troubled about, Hagar? Don't be afraid. God has heard the boy crying.
18. Get up, go and pick him up, and comfort him. I will make a great nation out of his descendants.”
19. Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well. She went and filled the leather bag with water and gave some to the boy.
20. God was with the boy as he grew up; he lived in the wilderness of Paran and became a skilful hunter.
21. His mother found an Egyptian wife for him.
22. At that time Abimelech went with Phicol, the commander of his army, and said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.
23. So make a vow here in the presence of God that you will not deceive me, my children, or my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so promise that you will also be loyal to me and to this country in which you are living.”
24. Abraham said, “I promise.”
25. Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well which the servants of Abimelech had seized.