John Gill Commentary 2 Kings 17:40

"Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner." — 2 Kings 17:40 (ASV)

Howbeit, they did not hearken, but did after their former
manner .
] They did not repent of their idolatries, but persisted in them, and even when they were in captivity in Assyria, or such of them as were left in the land.