Verse 13 – Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies gives a very insightful definition for “fool.” It means to act stupidly, absurdly, or inconsistently. It can also mean being infatuated or acting out of emotion. It indicates any kind of straying from what is true, right, and prudent. A fool uses no caution in practical affairs and does not have the foresight to provide for the future. He is aimless, refuses counsel, and has no concern for the proper use of money or the planning of a career. He is always ready to form rash hopes, and carelessly commits to uncertain ventures. He is ungodly and easily provoked. His only reason for doing anything is merely because he wants to do it. He takes no pleasure in understanding, but trusts in his own heart or mind. It is easy to see how any son fitting any part of this description would bring heartache and loss to his father.
If the father also has a contentious and nagging wife, he is doubly cursed! A woman who complains all the time is as annoying as dripping water. Strife is damaging, costly, unhealthy, and as irritating as the sound of constant dripping. Christians ought not to be quarrelsome. 1 Peter 3:8-12 says, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
Strife is a product of the old nature and activates the death principle (Galatians 5:19-21). It is especially unseemly for a wife to be quarrelsome (Ephesians 5:21-33). If we are guilty of this kind of behavior, we need to ask the Lord to forgive us and to give us a sweet spirit that produces blessing and joy for those around us.
Verse 14 – A man can inherit riches from his father, but a prudent wife is a gift from the Lord. The value of a godly woman is spoken of in Proverbs 31:10-11: “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
What husband would not love such a wife? Money cannot buy such a woman. She is truly a gift from God.