It appears as if Samuel died around the time of Saul’s confrontation with David outside one of the caves near Engedi.1 This timing is significant. With the death of the prophet, there is no mediator who could help David and Saul to reconcile.2 It also followed the public announcement of Saul in which he acknowledged/accepted the Lord’s judgment that was spoken through Samuel (see 1 Samuel 13:13–14; 1 Samuel 15:26–29).3
1 Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah.