| God made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land,
...yes, and who ARE ALL the descendants of Abraham?
The descendants of Isaac and Jacob were to be given the promised land. Ishmael was not to receive it, he was to be a wild man. God did honor Ishmael. He promised that he would be the father of 12 rulers and a great nation, and he'd be fruitful. BUT in his sovereignty, the Lord established His covenant with Isaac (a miracle sent by God), who was the child of promise. The title to the promised land of Israel passed from Abraham to Isaac, and then to Jacob. Ishmael was the child of Abraham's attempt to fullfil God's promise through his own efforts.
"Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, Beacause the Lord has heard your affliction. He shall be a wild man, And every man's hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren." (Genesis 16:8-12)
That scripture is a very true prophecy.