מלכים ב, פרק י״ז, פסוק כ״ב

Deeply rooted habits often outlast the circumstances that created them. The Israelites' ongoing involvement in idolatry did not stem from outside force or coercion, but from their own free choice and ingrained behavior. They continued in the sins originally established by Jeroboam entirely of their own accord.

This willing participation became especially clear when the physical barriers to proper worship were finally removed. King Hoshea eliminated the road guards who had previously blocked the people from traveling to Jerusalem. Yet, even with the path completely open, the Israelites still willingly clung to their sinful ways and refused to abandon them [מצודת דוד].