FLATTERY

 •  9 min. read  •  grade level: 7
General scriptures concerning
He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. (Job 17:55He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. (Job 17:5))
Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away. (Job 32:21-2221Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. 22For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away. (Job 32:21‑22))
Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. (Psalm 5:8-98Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. 9For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. (Psalm 5:8‑9))
They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: (Psalm 12:2-32They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. 3The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: (Psalm 12:2‑3))
For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. (Psalm 36:22For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. (Psalm 36:2))
This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. (Psalm 49:1313This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. (Psalm 49:13))
Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. (Psalm 49:1818Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. (Psalm 49:18))
Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. (Psalm 78:3636Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. (Psalm 78:36))
For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: (Proverbs 5:33For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: (Proverbs 5:3))
To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. (Proverbs 6:2424To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. (Proverbs 6:24))
That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. (Proverbs 7:55That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. (Proverbs 7:5))
With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. (Proverbs 7:2121With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. (Proverbs 7:21))
The poor is hated even of his own neighbor: but the rich hath many friends. (Proverbs 14:2020The poor is hated even of his own neighbor: but the rich hath many friends. (Proverbs 14:20))
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor. (Proverbs 19:44Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor. (Proverbs 19:4))
Many will entreat the favor of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. (Proverbs 19:66Many will entreat the favor of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. (Proverbs 19:6))
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. (Proverbs 20:1919He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. (Proverbs 20:19))
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. (Proverbs 22:1616He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. (Proverbs 22:16))
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: (Proverbs 24:2424He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: (Proverbs 24:24))
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. (Proverbs 25:2626A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. (Proverbs 25:26))
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. (Proverbs 26:2828A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. (Proverbs 26:28))
As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise. (Proverbs 27:2121As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise. (Proverbs 27:21))
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favor than he that flattereth with the tongue. (Proverbs 28:2323He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favor than he that flattereth with the tongue. (Proverbs 28:23))
A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet. (Proverbs 29:55A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet. (Proverbs 29:5))
And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. (Daniel 11:2121And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. (Daniel 11:21))
Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. (Daniel 11:3434Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. (Daniel 11:34))
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:2626Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26))
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:1010For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10))
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (1 Thessalonians 2:4-64But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (1 Thessalonians 2:4‑6))
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. (Jude 1616These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. (Jude 16))
INSTANCE OF
By Jacob
And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me. (Genesis 33:1010And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me. (Genesis 33:10))
By Gideon
And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that. (Judges 8:1-31And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. 2And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? 3God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that. (Judges 8:1‑3))
By Mephibosheth
And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? (2 Samuel 9:88And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? (2 Samuel 9:8))
By the woman of Tekoah
Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the Lord thy God will be with thee. Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak. And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid: To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth. (2 Samuel 14:17-2017Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the Lord thy God will be with thee. 18Then the king answered and said unto the woman, Hide not from me, I pray thee, the thing that I shall ask thee. And the woman said, Let my lord the king now speak. 19And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with thee in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of thine handmaid: 20To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth. (2 Samuel 14:17‑20))
By Absalom
And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. (2 Samuel 15:2-62And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. 4Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! 5And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. 6And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. (2 Samuel 15:2‑6))
By Israel and Judah
And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan? And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift? And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. (2 Samuel 19:41-4341And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan? 42And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift? 43And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. (2 Samuel 19:41‑43))
By Adonijah
And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings. (1 Kings 1:4242And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings. (1 Kings 1:42))
By Ahab
And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have. (1 Kings 20:44And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have. (1 Kings 20:4))
By false prophets
And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good. (1 Kings 22:1313And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good. (1 Kings 22:13))
By Darius's courtiers
All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. (Daniel 6:77All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. (Daniel 6:7))
By the Herodians
And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: (Luke 20:2121And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: (Luke 20:21))
By Tyrians
And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. (Acts 12:2222And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. (Acts 12:22))
Tertullus flatters Felix
And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. (Acts 24:2-42And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. (Acts 24:2‑4))
Paul correctly informs Felix
Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: (Acts 24:1010Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: (Acts 24:10))
By Herod Agrippa II
I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. (Acts 26:2-32I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. (Acts 26:2‑3))