It is important to point out that this narrative, like the regular cycle narratives, describes a very local episode, giving the details in a contained geographic area; yet it attributes the story at various points to Israel, that is, the nation. Thus when the text states that Abimelek ruled over Israel three years (9:22), it is clear that his rule, according to the details of the story, is actually quite localized.9 He does not reign over all Israelite territory!10
