Proverbs 21:9

 The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about marriage relationships:

Proverbs 21:9

It is better to live in a corner of a roof

Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

God is blunt and to the point about His truths.   He doesn't hold back words when He relays His principles to us.  In this proverb he lays out a truth plain and simple for us to grasp.  He tells us what happens when we are in the home with a women (or, man) who is contentious in nature.   When a women (or, man) creates "strife" in her home, Solomon is telling us not to try to "fix" it.  We are to go to the farthest place in the home and allow the contention to cease.   He is not telling us to leave.  He is telling us to separate from the strife.   Strife in the heart needs work by the God of the Heart.   We can't fix what is hurting in the heart.  We don't "leave" it; we simply avoid it in a place we won't stir it.   In case we don't think God is sincere about this proverb He had Solomon pen the same words in Proverbs 25:24.   

Proverbs 25:24 (ESV Strong's)

24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

God is telling us that there are times to avoid conflict and not try to fix it.   We separate ourselves and allow God to do a work.   When God does His work we can continue the relationship.  By going to the roof we won't say something we shouldn't.  By going to the roof we won't be hurt by something said.    By going to the roof we acknowledge our inability to solve the situation and we can wait for God to do His Work.    Faith pleases God and releases Him to do His thing.   Sometimes getting away gives the other person the space they need to work out what's causing their conflict.  Solomon says the same things in Proverbs 21:19:

(ESV Strong's) 19 

It is better to live in a desert land

than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

In this proverbs it is going to a “desert” land. If the roof is not far enough away, the separation to a place of the “desert” is appropriate.  Solomon is telling us  that when a soft answer does not turn away wrath, than being separated is another step.  We may never be able to appease.  We may not always able to accommodate.   But we should always be ready to be apart.