שופטים, פרק ב׳, פסוק י״ט

The tragic cycle of the period of the judges stemmed from a superficial and temporary repentance. The spiritual awakening of the nation depended entirely on the physical presence of their leader rather than a profound internal transformation.

The people only improved their ways because of the constant rebukes of the judge, who acted on behalf of God. Because the leader was unable to instill fundamental, lasting change within the nation, his death removed the only barrier to their poor behavior. Without someone to correct them, the people immediately reverted to their old ways [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This rapid moral decline, happening the moment the judge passed away, is the direct reason the nation was once again handed over to plunder and ruin [מלבי״ם].

Not only did they return to their previous state, but they also acted even more corruptly than the ancestors who lived before the judge took power [מצודת דוד]. The primary approach among commentators is that the people did not omit a single wicked deed from the practices of their ancestors. Instead of abandoning their stubborn habits, they clung to them entirely, ensuring every bad action was repeated [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective emphasizes the ultimate consequence of this stubbornness. Because they refused to leave anything out of their wicked path, they bear full responsibility for their choices and will ultimately face judgment for all the disasters brought upon them [רש״י].