What does Proverbs 25:24 mean?

Solomon's advice about marriage, wives, and women is complicated. Even with his wisdom, Solomon turned away from God's intended plan for one man to marry one woman. First Kings 11 indicates Solomon had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. Yet he learned no earthly pleasure could replace honor for God. In Ecclesiastes 1:2, Solomon proclaims "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." Many of the proverbs contained in this book, therefore, can be seen as life lessons Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) learned "the hard way."

While the imagery here is of an unpleasant wife, the concept applies to either spouse. A married couple could live in a spacious house, but if one gives the other no peace, they have only a house but not a home. This verse is identical to Proverbs 21:9 and similar to Proverbs 21:19. Personal peace with little material wealth is better that no peace with plenty of luxury.

When God created Eve to be Adam's wife, He said she would be "a helper fit for him" (Genesis 2:18). Marriage unites two human beings to be partners. Peter counsels wives to "let [their] adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" (1 Peter 3:4). He tells husbands to "live with your wives in an understanding way" and reminds them that their wives are "heirs with you of the grace of life" (1 Peter 3:7). These principles apply equally to both spouses. Godly peace-keeping requires both partners to apply love, rather than verbal abuse.