Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 7:15

"And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life." — 1 Samuel 7:15 (ASV)

And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. — Samuel's influence and supreme power 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 eventually arrived when, convinced by clear Divine instruction 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 favor of the new king, Saul.

However, his influence remained, and his authority, whenever he chose to exercise it, seems to have continued undiminished. On momentous occasions (see, for instance, 1 Samuel 15:33), we find king and nation submitting to his counsel and expressed will.