In Genesis, we see Eve was created from Adam’s side, not from his head or his foot. The woman isn’t supposed to rule over the man. But, the man is not supposed to step all over the woman in a relationship. Neither should have authority above God, because both are human. Instead, Christ is to be the sole authority. And, the man should be the spiritual head. But, as with the Shunammite, that doesn’t always happen.
In a true, loving relationship, neither side should be selfish. Yes, the man is the spiritual head, but he, in turn, has an authority he has to obey. And, being the spiritual head does not give him to right to do whatever he wants. Spiritual authority has nothing to do with what color to paint the walls of your living room, for instance. It doesn’t give a man the right to go out with the boys and ignore his wife all the time, though he may certainly decide that he needs a break once in a while. Spiritual authority especially doesn’t give him the right to disobey God. In fact, he should always be giving of himself for his wife, as we see in our next verses.
