And after these things (κα μετα ταυτα). That is, the time of the Judges then began. Cf. Judges 2:16.

Until Samuel the prophet (εως Σαμουηλ προφητου). The terminus ad quem. He was the last of the judges and the first of the prophets who selected the first king (Saul) under God's guidance. Note the absence of the Greek article with προφητου.