Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 8:1

"And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel." — 1 Samuel 8:1 (ASV)

This verse implies a long period, probably no less than twenty years, for which we have no account other than the brief notice in 1 Samuel 7:13–17. The general idea conveyed is of a time of peace and prosperity, similar to the periods under other judges.