The Shunammite Woman האשה השונמית

Her name is not given in the Tanakh — only the place: Shunem. She is called something else, and the phrase stands in the text: "a great woman." Not a wealthy one — a great one.

She persuaded Elisha, who was passing by, to eat bread with her; then she said to her husband: I know that he is a holy man of God; let us make him a small room on the roof, and put a bed there, a table, a chair and a lamp. And so they did.

Elisha asked what could be done for her — should he speak on her behalf to the king or the commander of the army? Her answer is quoted in full, and it is about dignity: "I dwell among my own people." Nothing is needed. Then his servant pointed out: she has no son, and her husband is old. And the promise came: at this season next year you will embrace a son.

The son was born and grew. One day in the field his head hurt; he was carried to his mother, sat on her knees until noon and died. She laid him on the prophet's bed, shut the door, ordered the donkey saddled and rode off. To her husband she said only shalom — all is well. Elisha's servant ran out to ask whether all was well, and she gave him the same answer. But when she reached the prophet himself, she caught hold of his feet and would not let go.

She refused to go back alone, and Elisha went with her. The boy revived.

Later, during the seven-year famine, she went at the prophet's word to the land of the Philistines, and on returning came to the king to ask for her house and field back — and got them, together with all the income of the years she had been away.