He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
He brought me to the banqueting house - Hebrew, 'house of wine.' Historically fulfilled in the joy of Simeon and Anna in the temple over the infant Saviour, and that of Mary too (cf. Luke 1:53); typified. Exodus 24:9-11; also in the erection of the temple of Solomon, the spiritual banqueting house of Israel. Spiritually, the bride or beloved is led (Song of Solomon 2:4) first into the King's chambers, thence is drawn after Him, in answer to her prayer; is next received on a grassy couch under a cedar kiosk; and at last in a 'banqueting hall,' such as Josephus says Solomon had in his palace, 'wherein all the vessels were of gold.' The transition is from holy retirement to public ordinances-the tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament Church, and in the New Testament Church worship and the Lord's Supper (Psalms 36:8). The bride, as the Queen of Sheba, is given "all her desire" (Psalms 63:5): type of the heavenly feast hereafter (Isaiah 25:6; Isaiah 25:9).
His banner ... love. After having rescued us from the enemy, our victorious "Captain" (Hebrews 2:10) seats us at the bauquet, under a banner inscribed with His name, "love" (1 John 4:8). His love conquered us to Himself. This banner rallies round us the forces of Omnipotence as our protection. It marks to what country we belong-heaven, the abode of love; and in what we most glory-the cross of Jesus Christ, through which we triumph (Romans 8:37). Compare with "over me," "underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27).