It shall be accomplished, to wit, that which was last mentioned, that vanity should be his recompence. Or, it, i.e. his branch, mentioned in the next clause of the verse, from which it is understood in this former clause, as is very usual in the Holy Scripture, shall be consumed, or cut off. Before his time, i.e. when by the course of nature and common providence it might have continued and flourished much longer. His branch; either,
1. His glory and prosperity. Or rather,
2. His children, by comparing Job 15:34, where the desolation is said to fall upon all the congregation and tabernacles of these men; and so he reflects upon Job, who lost his children. Shall not be green, i.e. shall not continue to flourish, as it had done.