XXXIV.
The boy grew and throve, inasmuch as noble [traits]
were native to him from his ancestors. Abraham had
[numbered] 100 years when, to his joy, his wife bore him
a son: he had waited for this for a long time, since the2775
Lord first through His own word foretold this day of
happiness. Now the matter so happened that his wife
once saw Ismael playing before Abraham where they
were both seated at a banquet, holy in heart, and all2780
their household retainers were drinking and singing.
Then the noble woman spoke, as wife to husband:
"Forgive me, my dear lord, keeper of the ring! But
bid Agar depart elsewhere, and take Ismael with her.2785
We should no longer be together, for my pleasure, if I
might have my way. Never shall Ismael share the
heritage with Isaac, my own son, after thee, when thou
yieldest up thy spirit from the body."2790
Then was Abraham heavy at heart, because he must
drive away his own son into exile; then speedily the
True God came to his aid, for He knew that the heart
of the man was in dire straits. The King of the Angels,2795
the Eternal Lord, spoke to Abraham:
"Let the sorrow and heart-felt grief slip from thy
breast, and obey the woman, thy wife. Bid both Agar
and Ismael to go away, [send] the boy from thy home.2800
I will make his race far-spreading and powerful in the
number of its sons, prosperous in blessings, as I promised
thee by my word."
Then the man obeyed his Master and drove from his
home the sad-minded pair, [drove] from his patrimony2805
the woman and his own son....[39]
"Clear it is and manifest that the True God, the King
of Glory, is on thy side, since he gives thee the victory,
with wise power, and strengthens thy heart[40] with2810
divine gifts. Therefore thou hast succeeded hitherto
in whatsoever thou hast begun to perform against
friend or foe, in word or deed. The Lord our Master
thrusteth forward thy desires with His own hands:
that is widely known among men. I pray thee now,2815
chief of the Ebrews, by my words, to give me a faithful
assurance of thy pledge that thou wilt be a true friend
to me, in return for the good things which I have given2820
for thy glory, since thou camest solitary from afar into
this country with the tread of an exile. Requite me
now with thy favor, so that I may not be sparing of land
and pleasure to thee. Be propitious now to this people2825
and city of mine, if Our Almighty Lord who holdeth the
fates will grant that thou mayst further distribute riches
and pleasing treasures, and set up thy landmarks, among2830
the warriors in this country."
Then Abraham gave pledges to Abimeleh that he would
[do] thus.