A prolonged and complex spiritual crisis unfolds when an entire population clings to old habits and idolatry, failing to form a genuine connection with God. A deep divide exists between the divine demand for pure, exclusive worship and the reality on the ground, where foreign beliefs are mixed with sacred practices.
The primary question among commentators is the identity of those who continue in these corrupt ways. One approach identifies them as the foreign Samaritan nations brought into the land, who initially accepted the faith only out of fear [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. According to this view, they continue to act just as they did in their native lands, or as they were instructed by their idolatrous priest upon arriving. Their lack of reverence for God is due to the fact that their fear is not sincere; it stems entirely from the terror of the lions that previously attacked them.
Conversely, another perspective suggests that these people are the Israelites themselves. This refers either to the ten tribes exiled to foreign countries [מלבי״ם, רד״ק] or to the few Israelites who remained in the land after the destruction [רלב״ג]. In this context, even in exile, they maintain the same idolatrous practices they performed in Samaria. True fear of God demands exclusive devotion to Him. When the Israelites combine the worship of God with idols, they are viewed as not fearing Him at all. Unlike the foreign nations, the Israelites were explicitly commanded against such practices, making their divided loyalty a complete failure of reverence [מלבי״ם, רד״ק].
Despite these differing identifications, there is a shared understanding regarding the outcome. Whether it is the Samaritans, who should have embraced the Torah completely upon their conversion rather than repeating the mistakes of the exiled Israelites, or the Israelites themselves, both groups fail to maintain a proper and complete Jewish way of life. Neither group follows the laws, ordinances, or commandments required of them.
The historical memory of Jacob's name being changed to Israel carries deep meaning in this context of idolatry. Some explain that this recalls the specific moment when Jacob commanded his sons to remove all foreign gods from their midst, immediately after which God revealed Himself and changed Jacob's name [רד״ק]. Others note that the name Israel was given after Jacob struggled with and defeated the angel with God's help. This event was meant to teach the nation that God reigns supreme over any spiritual power or celestial system. Therefore, it remains absolutely forbidden to worship any spiritual entity other than God [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].