Genesis 21:10 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

1892 She was enraged by this fact, and perceived it was but a beginning and earnest of greater evil designed by him against her beloved Isaac; being also guided by the wise counsel and providence of God, as appears from Genesis 21:12. Though the fact was done by Ishmael, yet Sarah plainly saw that this and other like carriages were from his mother's instigation and encouragement, who being of an imperious and petulant disposition, as appears from Genesis 16:4,9, in all probability comforted herself, and animated her son, by that right he had to his father's inheritance as he was his first-born, as may be gathered both from the custom of women in such cases, and from the last words of this verse. Besides, if the mother had been continued, she would easily have prevailed with Abraham to fetch the child back again.