The early chapters of Samuel describe dramatic events in Israel which changed the constitution of the kingdom. Israel was the kingdom of God, the LORD being their king and the appointer of their judges. However, in the days of Samuel a human king was chosen to sit on the throne of the LORD over Israel. The kingdom still remained the kingdom of God and it will also exist again in the future when Jesus returns and sits upon the same throne of the LORD as “the King of Israel”.
Once David was anointed by Samuel to be king over Israel instead of Saul, as is usually the way in God’s purpose, he did not reign immediately. He first had to suffer persecution at the hands of men who attempted to kill him. Hebrews 12:6Waiting for response for Hebrews 12:6
Samuel was the last of the Judges because in his days the people desired a king and, after this was granted, a human ruler sat on the throne of the LORD over Israel.