Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 20:38

38 So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disgnised himself with ashes upon his face.

That he might sooner gain access to the King, and Audience from him. See on, ver. 35.

Whereby he changed the colour of it. Or, with a vail, or cloth, or band; (as the Hebrew Doctors understand the Word) whereby he might seem to have bound up his Wound, which probably was in his Face; for it was to be made in a very conspicuous place, that it might be visible to Ahab and others.