פירוש על הושע 11:2

The more they called to them, the more they went away from them As much as the prophets call to teach them the good way, so did they turn their backs to run away from them.

and they would slaughter sacrifices to the baalim. It is customary for Scripture to speak in this manner. Comp. (above 4:7) “The more they have increased, the more they have sinned against Me”; (Ex. 1:12) “And the more they afflicted them, the more they increased.”