Genesis

The LORD fulfills his promise to Sarah—she conceives and bears Abraham a son, whom Abraham names Isaac. Isaac is circumcised at eight days old. Abraham is 100 years old when Isaac is born. Sarah says that God has brought laughter to her, and now everyone who hears about it will laugh along with her.

After Isaac is weaned, Sarah sees Hagar’s son Ishmael playing with Isaac, and she gets angry. She demands that Abraham cast out both Hagar and her son. God assures Abraham, who is upset, that he will provide for Ishmael, so Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael into the wilderness with provisions.

After they run out of water, Hagar settles Ishmael under a bush and walks away, unwilling to watch him die. When she weeps, the angel of God speaks to her, telling her not to be afraid; he will make a great nation of Ishmael. Then Hagar sees a well of water, and she gives Ishmael a drink. Ishmael grows up in the wilderness, and God is with him.

Meanwhile, Abimelech asks Abraham to swear loyalty to him, since God has made Abraham prosper, and Abimelech has treated Abraham fairly. Abraham swears. Later, when Abimelech’s servants seize one of Abraham’s wells, Abraham brings seven ewe lambs, and the two men make a covenant; the acceptance of the lambs is a witness that the well belongs to Abraham. Abraham continues to live in Beer-sheba, in the land of the Philistines.