This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Genesis 21:10-21, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
One day, Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was not happy with Hagar, her servant, and her son Ishmael. She told Abraham to send them away, and he was very sad because he loved his son. But God spoke to Abraham and told him to listen to Sarah and do as she said. God promised that He would take care of Ishmael and make him the father of a great nation.
So early the next morning, Abraham gave Hagar some bread and water and sent her and Ishmael away. They wandered in the desert until their water was all gone. Hagar was so worried that she left Ishmael under a bush and went to sit far away so she wouldn’t have to watch him die.
But God heard the cries of Ishmael and sent an angel to help Hagar. The angel told Hagar to pick up Ishmael and showed her a well of water that she hadn’t seen before. God was with Ishmael, and he grew up to be strong and skilled with a bow. He married a woman from Egypt, and he became the father of a great nation, just like God had promised.
Biblical Lessons
- God keeps His promises and takes care of His people.
- Even when things are difficult and we are lost, God hears our prayers and provides for us.
- We should trust God’s plan even when it doesn’t seem to make sense.
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
Systematic Theology
A comprehensive, evangelical overview of Christian doctrine with Scripture at every point.
View on Amazon
A Call to Spiritual Reformation
Walks through Paul's prayers to teach believers how to pray biblically and God-centeredly.
View on Amazon
Faith Alone
Defends justification by faith alone as the heart of the biblical gospel and Reformation.
View on Amazon
Basic Christianity
A timeless introduction to who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him according to Scripture.
View on Amazon
Respectable Sins
Exposes the "ordinary" sins Christians often tolerate and calls us to gospel-driven holiness.
View on Amazon
Living the Cross-Centered Life
A call to keep Christ's cross at the center of our thinking, worship, and daily living.
View on Amazon
The Enemy Within
A modern, accessible summary of John Owen's teaching on indwelling sin and the believer's battle.
View on Amazon
Let the Nations Be Glad!
Missions-focused theology showing that worship is the goal of evangelism to the nations.
View on Amazon
The Sovereignty of God
A strong, Scripture-based defense of God's absolute rule over all things.
View on Amazon
The Bondage of the Will
Luther's classic defense of the Bible's teaching on human sin and God's sovereign grace.
View on Amazon
The Westminster Confession of Faith
A historic confession that systematically sets forth Reformed theology from Scripture.
View on Amazon
Biblical Preaching
Introduces the "big idea" approach to expository sermons, rooted in the biblical text.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Worship
Traces historic worship patterns and shows how to shape Christ-focused services today.
View on Amazon
The Universe Next Door
Surveys competing worldviews and contrasts them with the Christian view of reality.
View on Amazon
Christ of the Covenants
Explains the biblical covenants and how they reveal Christ and God's plan of redemption.
View on Amazon
The Glory of Christ
Calls believers to behold the glory of Christ as the great means of transformation.
View on Amazon
The Christian Life
A clear, doctrinally rich overview of salvation and Christian living.
View on Amazon