דברי הימים א, פרק א׳, פסוק כ״ח

When tracing the lineage of Abraham's family, the historical record carefully arranges his children to reflect familial hierarchy rather than simple chronological birth order. Isaac is placed ahead of his older brother, Ishmael. This deliberate ordering highlights Isaac's primary importance [ביאור שטיינזלץ], stemming directly from his status as the son of Abraham's primary wife [מלבי״ם].

Beyond social status, there is a deeper reason for this arrangement. Ishmael eventually repented for his past actions, and his genuine change of heart is shown by his willingness to step back and allow his younger brother to take precedence. This cooperative attitude stands in sharp contrast to the behavior of Esau, whose family line is detailed later [מלבי״ם].

Despite Isaac receiving the place of honor in this initial summary, the subsequent family records follow a specific structural pattern. The narrative first addresses and quickly concludes the descendants of Ishmael. This approach mirrors a familiar organizational method found in the Torah, clearing the way to focus entirely on the primary lineage of Isaac [ביאור שטיינזלץ].