John Trapp on Esther 1:22

Verſe 22. That every man ſhould beare rule in his own houſe] Aequum sanè edictum, modò moderatum, A righteous Decree, had it been but rightly made uſe of, and not abuſed to tyranny and rough-dealing. Ariſtotle ſaith, that the husband ought to have a civil power over his wife, as being her better in honour, ſpeech, gravity and dignity. Menander and Euripides ſay the ſame; holding it unfit that the hen ſhould crow, that the woman ſhould uſurp authority over the man: this, Nature and Scripture do both condemne. But why ſhould theſe Perſian Princes at this time ſend forth ſuch an Edict as this? was it becauſe this good Law of Nature began to be depraved and obliterated among them; as it was among the Egyptians, where the Queen is more honoured then the King, and in private houſes the wife then the husband, as Diodorus Siculus reporteth?Lib. 2. Bibl. c. 2. Or had they a minde to divulge their own ſhame, and to tell the world that they were leaſt maſters at home, and muſt therefore have a law made to force obedience? Or was it not (laſtly) to countenance the Kings raſh and unlawful putting away of his wife, for ſo light a cauſe: like as Cambyſes their late King having a minde to marry his own ſiſter, made a Law, that any man ſhould have liberty to do the like? Whatever it was that moved them to ſend forth this Decree, ſurely there was little need to excite men to uſe their authority over their wives; ſith they are apt enough to do ſo without bidding. Therefore Saint Paul after, wives ſubmit your ſelves unto your own husbands, doth not ſay,Col. 3.19. and ſubjoyne, husbands rule over your wivess, but husbands love your wives, and be not bitter againſt them.

And that it ſhould be publiſhed according to the language of every people] That ſo being particularly underſtood, it might appear more authentical and weighty; and ſo take away the hatred from the Law-givers for the wrong they had done the Queen. Some render it thus, that he ſhould ſpeak according to the language of his own people, that is, ſay they, that each man ſhould keep and obſerve the liberty of his own Nation, by commanding his people, and governing his own family, without any contradiction.