Famine


Abram

After receiving the Abrahamic Covenant and learning about the Promised Land of Canaan, Abram traveled in Canaan until severe famine drove him to Egypt. (Genesis 12)

Esau

Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

(Genesis 25:29-34)

Was Esau being dramatic, or was there no longer game to hunt in the land?

David

There was a 3-year famine in Israel under King David. David sought the LORD and went to resolve the bloodguilt of Saul's house by handing over 7 of Saul's sons to be hanged. When Saul, Jonathan, and his hanged sons were properly interred in Kish's tomb, God responded to the plea for the land. (2 Samuel 21:1-14)