An illumination device functioning as both a flashlight and an area table lamp having a flexible neck that connects a light housing to a base. The illumination device includes at least one light source mounted in the light housing for projecting light through either a diffusing lens to function as an area light or a projecting lens to function as a flashlight. An improved flexible neck for an illumination device is also disclosed that has a dampening mechanism and a retaining mechanism disposed in an elongated solid resilient body. The retaining mechanism counters the resilient force of the resilient body to retain a selected position of the flexible neck while the dampening mechanism serves to dampen a bouncing effect that commonly occurs in flexible necks of flashlights.