What does 1 Samuel 8:1 mean?

This chapter marks the beginning of Israel's transition from the period of the judges to the period of the kings. The narrative jumps forward, possibly as much as thirty years. Samuel is now considered old in the eyes of the people, probably between nearing seventy years of age.

Samuel has made his sons judges over Israel. Perhaps he was following the example that he grew up with. When Samuel served in the tabernacle of the Lord at Shiloh, the sons of Eli, the priest of Israel, served under him as priests (1 Samuel 1:3). This was the normal course of things for priests; according to the law of Moses, the descendants of Levi served at the tabernacle in various roles. Being a Levite came with this duty to the nation, and those not part of the tribe of Levi could not serve in the tabernacle.

The judges over Israel were different, though. They did not inherit their position from their father. Judges were raised up by God to be deliverers and spiritual leaders of the people. Samuel may not have appointed his sons to be judges in the sense that term is used in the book of Judges (Judges 2:16–19). Perhaps he installed them in the courtroom sense, as in Deuteronomy 16:18. In that case, their role would have been to settle disputes in a specific local area. Since the description is this verse is "over Israel," it may have been a combination of the two. It's also possible that the people of Israel expected Samuel's sons to take his place after he died.