The Old Testament is so filled with intriguing people and enticing stories that it does us good every now and again to make their acquaintance and hear their voices.

The Shunammite woman is one of these. While she may not be completely unknown, she has rarely been the focus of attention. In fact, the few times in history when she and her story have been singled out, she has still sometimes lost her identity. Rembrandt painted a stunning portrait of a haunted-looking woman obviously embarking on a long journey with a man and young boy standing beside her. For centuries this painting was erroneously believed to be of Abraham sending Hagar and Ishmael out into the wilderness. Finally in 1966 art historians determined that this was Rembrandt's "Departure of the Shunammite Woman," his tribute …