It is apparent that Abraham does not accept that Sarah can have a child, and so he pursues another possibility.

And Abraham said to God: said may not be suitable to introduce a plea, wish, request. Note Good News Translation: “He asked God.”

O that Ishmael might live in thy sight!: live in thy sight is literally “live before you,” an idiom that means “live under your special care.” See Hos 6.2; Jer 30.20; Isa 53.2. New English Bible translates “If only Ishmael might live under your special care,” and Revised English Bible “… enjoy your special favor.” This plea is an indirect way of saying “I wish Ishmael could receive the promises you have made to me.” Good News Translation translates “Why not let Ishmael be my heir?” We can also say, for example, “I beg you to let Ishmael receive the promises you have made to me,” “Please let Ishmael receive your favor,” or “If it pleases you, do through Ishmael the things you have promised me.” One translation has “Why can’t you let Ishmael take over all my things?” Others have something like “It would be better if you would take care of Ishmael and bless him.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .