Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 21:11

"And the thing was very grievous in Abraham`s sight on account of his son." — Genesis 21:11 (ASV)

The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight. —Hebrew, the word (or matter) was evil exceedingly in Abraham’s eyes. It was not merely painful to him because of his natural affection for Ishmael (Genesis 17:18), but he also thought the proposal unjust.