In this chapter we have, I. Isaac, the child of promise born into Abraham’s family, Gen. 21:1–8. II. Ishmael, the son of the bondwoman, cast out of it, Gen. 21:9–21. III. Abraham’s league with his neighbour Abimelech, Gen. 21:23–32. IV. His devotion to his God, Gen. 21:33.

Long-looked-for comes at last. The vision concerning the promised seed is for an appointed time, and now, at the end, it speaks, and does not lie; few under the Old Testament were brought into the world with such expectation as Isaac was, not for the sake of any great person eminence at which he…

The casting out of Ishmael is here considered of, and resolved on. I. Ishmael himself gave the occasion by some affronts he gave to Isaac his little brother, some think on the day that Abraham made the feast for joy that Isaac was safely weaned, which the Jews say was not till he was three years…

Here is, I. The casting out of the bond-woman, and her son from the family of Abraham, Gen. 21:14. Abraham’s obedience to the divine command in this matter was speedy— early in the morning, we may suppose immediately after he had, in the night’s visions, received orders to do this.

We have here an account of the treaty between Abimelech and Abraham, in which appears the accomplishment of that promise that God would make his name great. His friendship is valued, is courted, though a stranger, though a tenant at will to the Canaanites and Perizzites. I.

Observe, 1. Abraham, having got into a good neighbourhood, knew when he was well off, and continued a great while there. There he planted a grove for a shade to his tent, or perhaps an orchard of fruit-trees; and there, though we cannot say he settled, for God would have him, while he lived, to be…