1 Samuel 25:1
And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran. And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.
The death took place while David was being hunted by Saul, after Abiathar son of Ahimelech escaped Saul's slaughter of the priests and fled to David, who promised him safeguard because the same enemy sought both their lives. It was an irreparable loss to the nation, the fall in death of a great and good prophet and eminent judge, mourned with deep and heartfelt grief. From his youth Samuel had lived before Israel with integrity of heart, judging Israel all the days of his life with faithfulness, obedience and devotion, so that although Saul was the acknowledged king, Samuel wielded the more powerful influence. By contrasting Saul's course with Samuel's, the people saw their mistake in desiring a king in order to be like the nations around them. Many looked with alarm on society rapidly becoming permeated with irreligion and godlessness under the widespread influence of their ruler's example, which gave Israel good reason to mourn that Samuel, the prophet of the Lord, was dead.