And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land - a mysterious providence holding back the famine until he was in circumstances to feel it in all its rigour. Thus, like Jonah, whom the storm did not overtake until on the mighty deep at the mercy of the waves, does the sinner feel as if "the stars in their courses were fighting against" him (Judges 5:20).
And he began to be in want - the first stage of his bitter experience, and preparation for a change.