The gemara in sanhedrin discusses Aaron Hakohen and his decision to make the eigel. Although he saved bnei yisroel, because they had already killed Hur, and if they killed Aaron (a Kohen..) they would be deserving to be wiped out. So he decided to go with them so he doesn’t die and let them attain forgiveness for the eigel then him getting killed and getting wiped. STILL, he was held responsible for doing heshbonos and not dying Al kiddush Hashem and not doing the eigel. So too by penina, her intentions were pure and ended up doing a lot of good… but lemaaseh…not up to her to do these heshbonos and was held responsible for the hurt she caused.
