True repentance reaches its peak when a nation completely lets go of the false illusions of security it once trusted. It requires a total break from past habits, leading to a declaration of absolute and exclusive dependence on God. This complete return involves abandoning both national and spiritual failures.
The people first declare an end to their political and military reliance on foreign powers. They admit that placing their trust in the king of Assyria was useless and commit to never seeking his help again. Alongside this, they abandon their military ambitions and their reliance on physical strength in battle [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators is that this military reliance refers specifically to turning to Egypt, the main supplier of the horses and chariots the people depended on [רש"י, אבן עזרא, מלבי"ם, אברבנאל]. Another perspective suggests this means they will no longer send riders on horseback to Assyria to beg for military aid [רד"ק, צאינה וראינה].
Beyond military matters, the people also reject their spiritual failures. They commit to ending their worship of statues, calves, and idols crafted by human hands, refusing to treat these objects as divine. A unique moral approach offers a different view of trusting in the work of human hands, seeing it as a reference to giving charity. In this light, it serves as a warning against the foolish mindset of someone who sins intentionally, wrongly believing that the charity they give with their own hands will act as a ransom to protect them and appease God [אהבת יהונתן].
After stripping away all reliance on human alliances, military might, and false gods, the people arrive at a profound realization. They understand that their only true hope lies with God. They compare themselves to an orphan, which serves as a symbol for a person entirely without power, lacking natural support, or anyone to offer help [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, מלבי"ם, רד"ק]. Recognizing that they have absolutely no one else to lean on, the Israelites turn to God. They understand that only with Him will they find compassion, mercy, and strength when they feel weak and orphaned from all other sources of aid.