“Abraham said to God: Would that Ishmael might live before You” (Genesis 17:18). “God said: But Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac, and I will keep My covenant with him for an eternal covenant, for his descendants after him” (Genesis 17:19). “Would that Ishmael might live before You” – Rabbi Yudan said in the name of Rabbi Yehuda bar Simon: This is analogous to a friend of the king, to whom he would provide a stipend. The king said to him: ‘I wish to double your stipend.’ He said to him: ‘Do not seek to provide me such great satisfaction; would that you not revoke the previous one.’ So, [Abraham said:] “Would that Ishmael might live before You.” “God said: But Sarah your wife.”