Charles Ellicott Commentary Judges 9:22

"And Abimelech was prince over Israel three years." — Judges 9:22 (ASV)

Had reigned. —The verb is here sûr, not malak, as in Judges 9:6; but whether the change of word is meant to be significant we cannot say.

Over Israel — that is, over all the Israelites who would accept his authority—mainly the central tribes.