King James Bible Dictionary

General references
Job 17:5; Job 32:21-22; Psalms 5:8-9; Psalms 12:2-3; Psalms 36:2; Psalms 49:13; Psalms 49:18; Proverbs 6:24; Psalms 78:36; Proverbs 5:3; Proverbs 7:5; Proverbs 7:21; Proverbs 14:20; Proverbs 19:4; Proverbs 19:6; Proverbs 20:19; Proverbs 22:16; Proverbs 24:24; Proverbs 25:26; Proverbs 26:28; Proverbs 27:21; Proverbs 28:23; Proverbs 29:5; Daniel 11:21; Daniel 11:34; Luke 6:26; Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4-6; Jude 1:16

Instances of:

By Jacob
Genesis 33:10

By Gideon
Judges 8:1-3

By Mephibosheth
2 Samuel 9:8

By woman of Tekoah
2 Samuel 14:17-20

By Absalom
2 Samuel 15:2-6

By Israel and Judah
2 Samuel 19:41-43

By Adonijah
1 Kings 1:42

By Ahab
1 Kings 20:4

By false prophets
1 Kings 22:13

By Darius's courtiers
Daniel 6:7

By Herodians
Luke 20:21

By Tyrians
Acts 12:22

Tertullus flatters Felix
Acts 24:2-4

Paul flatters Felix
Acts 24:10

By Agrippa
Acts 26:2-3

FLAT'TERY, noun

1. False praise; commendation bestowed for the purpose of gaining favor and influence, or to accomplish some purpose. Direct flattery consists in praising a person himself; indirect flattery consists in praising a person through his works or his connections.

Simple pride for flattery makes demands.

Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.

2. Adulation; obsequiousness; wheedling.

3. Just commendation which gratifies self-love.