Has God kept Israel under His control after all the times He punished them?
Yes. The Davidic covenant in II Samuel 7 promises that though God disciplines Israel as a father chastens a son, His mercy will not depart. History shows God has chastened them time after time, yet they remain under His control.
Les explains that in II Samuel 7 God speaks to David through the prophet, promising to establish David's royal bloodline. God says, "I will be his father, and he shall be my son; if he commit iniquity," He will discipline with the rod of men and the stripes of the children of men. Yet verse 15 begins with "But," meaning no matter how far Israel falls short or how unbelieving the nation becomes, God's mercy shall not depart. Les points out that looking back through history, God has chastened them time after time after time, but they are still under His thumb.
But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.