Flattery, as depicted in the Bible, is often associated with deceit and insincerity, serving as a tool for manipulation rather than genuine praise or encouragement. Within the context of Israel and Judah, flattery is frequently condemned by the prophets and is seen as a symptom of spiritual and moral decay.

Biblical References and Context

1. Psalm 12:2-3 : "They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks proud things." This passage highlights the prevalence of deceitful speech among the people, including flattery, which is seen as a betrayal of truth and integrity. The psalmist calls for divine intervention to silence those who use flattery for selfish purposes.

2. Isaiah 30:9-10 : "For this is a rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. They say to the seers, 'Do not see,' and to the prophets, 'Do not prophesy to us the truth. Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.'" Here, the people of Judah are described as rejecting the truth in favor of comforting lies, which includes the desire for flattering words that align with their own desires rather than God's truth.

3. Ezekiel 12:24 : "For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations within the house of Israel." The prophet Ezekiel condemns the false prophets who use flattery to deceive the people, promising peace and prosperity when destruction is imminent. This misuse of flattery is portrayed as a grave sin that leads the people away from repentance and true worship.

4. Micah 2:11 : "If a man of wind were to come and invent lies: 'I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,' he would be just the prophet for this people!" Micah criticizes the people of Israel for their preference for prophets who flatter them with promises of abundance and indulgence, rather than confronting them with the reality of their sin and the need for repentance.

Theological Implications

Flattery in the biblical narrative is often linked to a broader theme of rebellion against God. It reflects a desire to hear what is pleasing rather than what is true, leading to a distortion of God's message and a departure from His commandments. The prophets consistently warn against the dangers of flattery, emphasizing the need for sincerity and truthfulness in one's relationship with God and others.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

The use of flattery by Israel and Judah serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of valuing human approval over divine truth. It underscores the importance of integrity and honesty in communication, as well as the need for discernment in recognizing and rejecting falsehoods. The biblical condemnation of flattery calls believers to seek truth and authenticity in their interactions, aligning their words and actions with the teachings of Scripture.2 Samuel 19:41-43
And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan?
Nave's Topical Index

That the Seven Sages Flourished in the Reign of Romulus, when the ...
... the division of the people were called Israel, were conquered ... the two tribes which
were called Judah, and had ... then not through error, but in flattery; so that ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 that the seven sages.htm

The Unseen Watcher
... of the Most High, not to speak words of flattery, but to ... "Thus saith the Lord of
hosts; The children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm

Results of Transgression
... in Judah and in Jerusalem." 2 Chronicles 2:7 ... he was at length unable to withstand
the flattery offered him ... for the honor of "the name of the Lord God of Israel.". ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 4 results of transgression.htm

Prophets and Prophets. (xxiii. 9-32, xxvii-xxix, Etc. )
... and dear His age-long relations to Israel had been ... upon which the ethically certain
doom of Judah would arrive ... life that had surely been his by flattery and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 prophets and prophets xxiii.htm

Whom the Lady Miriam Sent
... none other than the friendly son of Judah, his assistant ... at once for aid to further
his seeking through Israel. ... "Thou hast repaid me with the flattery of thy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlvi whom the lady.htm

Letter Liii. To Paulinus.
... the presence of the persons, or upon an insincere and exaggerated flattery; but
one ... of Ammon, and in the seventh and eighth place of Judah and of Israel? ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liii to paulinus.htm

Letter cxxxviii. (AD 412. )
... I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
not according ... For in this Cicero spoke either praise or flattery: if he ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxxviii a d 412.htm

Matt. Ii. 4, 5
... it He shall come that should rule Israel, they proceed ... afterwards to add what follows,
out of flattery to the ... not the least among the princes of Judah," and he ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily vii matt ii 4.htm

The Poetical Books.
... which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied out ... Messiah; it is a consolation
to afflicted Israel; it is ... which no splendor can dazzle and no flattery seduce ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vii the poetical books.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... from one another for the night; [785] or, again, how his son Judah slept with ... disciples,
"Verily I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." [801] We ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Who was Daniel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who is the king of the South in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.org

What is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | GotQuestions.org

Flattery: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus