1 Samuel 7:15 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. — The influence and supreme power of Samuel only ended with his life. For a very long period — probably for at least twenty years after the decisive battle of Eben-ezer — Samuel, as “judge,” exercised the chief authority in Israel. The time at length arrived when, convinced by clear Divine monition that it was best for the people that a king should rule over them, Samuel the seer, then advanced in years, voluntarily laid down his high office in favour of the new king, Saul; but his influence remained, and his authority, whenever he chose to exercise it, seems to have continued undiminished, and on momentous occasions (see, for instance, 1 Samuel 15:33) we find king and nation submitting to his counsel and expressed will.