Ishmael was not the covenant heir, yet Jehovah heard him, preserved him, blessed him, and made him the father of twelve princes.
Birth of Isaac and Departure of Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:1–21)
Ishmael’s mocking of Isaac was persecution against the covenant heir, leading to his expulsion and the preservation of God’s redemptive plan.
Hagar And Ishmael (Genesis 16:1–16): Historical Settings, Exegesis, And Theological Foundations
Hagar fled toward Egypt, but the Angel of Jehovah found her at a desert spring, commanded her return, named Ishmael, and proved that Jehovah hears and sees.

