Abraham and Sarah didn't have
children when God told him that
He would make him a great nation.

Sarah suggested that Abraham and
her handmaiden Hagar have a child
for her, they named him Ishmael.

Ishmael was not well loved by the
family. After Isaac was born,
Ishmael and Hagar were cast out
of their home.

God took compassion on them, and
promised Hagar that Ishmael would
be a great nation also.