Hard lessons from the Father

In the book of 2 Kings, chapter 13, we start with Jehoahaz, who ruled Israel for seventeen years.  He was a wicked man and the Lord was unhappy with Israel because of it.  He allowed Syria to continuously conquer them.

Then, one day, the Israelite king prayed for the Lord's help.  And He did.  But the Israeli people continued their wicked ways and then He allowed Syria to destroy much of their army.

Why was it that the Lord helped Israel, after they pleaded for help, when they continued their evil ways?  Like an earthly father, the Lord God helped even when he knew they may not have learned their lesson.