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9. It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. {a brawling...: Heb. a woman of contentions} {a wide...: Heb. an house of society}
In the spacious houses in the East, several families lived together in society. A brawling woman would be a grievous disturbance to the little community; and a peaceable man would prefer the corner of the house-top,† exposed to all the inconveniences of wind and weather, to the ample accommodation of a wide house in the atmosphere of contention. (Verse 19; 25:24.) A solitary life without would be better than a quarrelsome life within. Some intervals of comfort might be abroad; none at home. Infinitely greater is this trial when it comes from a man's own flesh; when she, who ought to be “a crown to her husband,” becomes “rottenness to his bones” (Chapter 12:4); when she that is bound to be his choicest treasure, becomes his piercing scourge. ‘It cannot be but a miserable thing to behold, that yet they are of necessity compelled to live together, which yet cannot be in quiet together.’† The intent of the Divine ordinance is here contravened. For it would seem “good for the man to be alone,” rather than that his “help-meet” (Genesis 2:18) should turn to be his hindrance, and his curse. But how many bring this bitter trouble upon themselves! They plunge into the important connection on adventure; with no thought of the duties to be done, the temptations to be avoided, the crosses to be borne. They never sought direction in the momentous choice. The wife, not being sought from the LORD, came not from him, and brought no “favor” of him.† Illicit pleasure, avarice, or waywardness, brought a calamity, that no external accomplishments, no advantages of riches or rank, could for a moment counterbalance.
The only safe entrance into this ‘honourable estate’ is when each party (as Chrysostom instructs) commit themselves to God — ‘Bestow me as thou wilt, and on whom thou wilt.’† The only security for happiness is, when, with due regard of mutual fitness, mutual love is grounded reverentially upon the ordinance which makes of “twain one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24, with 24:67.) Contentions will be restrained by the preventive habit of Christian discipline; each considering that passion improves nothing, and patience much, and that it is far better to “give place” to each other, than “to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27.) The husband in his claim for submission will remember that he has found, not a servant but a wife. She, on her side, will not forget the beauty and order of graceful sacrifice and ready concession; and that her glory is departed from her should she lose “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit;” lovely in the sight of man, and “in the sight of God of great price.” (1 Peter 3:4.) ‘Each severally performs their faithful duties; everything around them acquires firmness and stability.’†
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