Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 13:6

"Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, wherewith he made Israel to sin, but walked therein: and there remained the Asherah also in Samaria.)" — 2 Kings 13:6 (ASV)

Nevertheless they departed not. —The restoration of Divine favor did not result in the abolition of the irregular worship introduced by Jeroboam I as the state religion of the northern kingdom. This is written, of course, from the point of view of the Judean editor of Kings, who lived long after the events he describes, writing during the period of the exile. It does not appear from the history of Elijah and Elisha, incorporated in his work, that either of those great prophets ever protested against the worship established at Bethel and Dan.

The house of Jeroboam —Some manuscripts, the Syriac, Targum, and Arabic omit “house.” But the specification of the dynasty is here very appropriate.

But walked therein. —Rather, therein they walked; the reading of the Septuagint (Alex.), Vulgate, and Targum being probably correct. It is the conduct of the nation that is being described.

And there remained the grove also in Samaria. —Rather, and moreover the Asherah stood (that is, was set up) in Samaria. The Asherah was the sacred tree, so often depicted in Assyrian art. It symbolized the productive principle of nature, and was sacred to Ashtoreth. With the return of peace, and the renewal of prosperity, luxury also soon reappeared, and the idolatry that specially countenanced it lifted up its head again. (See the Note on 2 Kings 17:16.)