And Abraham said unto God
Being told he should have a son by Sarah, that should be his
heir, he is concerned for Ishmael what would become of him; and
who, being grown up, had doubtless a large share in his
affections, and it is highly probable he began to think he was
the promised seed, since he had lived to such an age, and had no
other son, and Sarah was past bearing children: but now
perceiving it would be otherwise, he puts up a petition for
Ishmael, whom he did not neglect upon the promise of another, and
to show his love to him, and regard for his welfare:
O that Ishmael might live before thee;
he prays that his life might be preserved, and that it might be
spent in the fear, worship, and service of God; so the Targum of
Jonathan,
``O that Ishmael might live and worship before thee,''and to the same sense Jarchi also; that he might enjoy the favour of God, his gracious presence and communion with him; that he might live a holy spiritual life here, acceptable and well pleasing to God, and possess eternal life hereafter: for we must take this prayer in as large a sense as we can suppose the heart of a father to be drawn forth in it for the good of his child; though it may greatly respect his sharing with the promised son in his blessings, and particularly regards the propagation of his offspring, or his living in his posterity at least; this was what the Lord took notice of, and answered him in.
