1 Kings 20:38

“So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, etc.] As he went from Aphek, the place where the battle had been fought, to Samaria, his royal seat: and disguised himself with ashes upon his face; the Targum is, he covered his eyes with a vail, or piece of cloth, which he wrapped about his head, as men do when they have got a wound or bruise in such a part, which seems very probable; for had he besmeared his face with ashes, clay, or dust, or any such thing, he could not so easily have got it off, as in (<112041>1 Kings 20:41).”

“Ashes - Rather, “a bandage” (and in 1 Kings 20:41). The object of the wound and bandage was double. Partly, it was to prevent Ahab from recognizing the prophet’s face; partly, to induce him to believe that the man had really been engaged in the recent war. return to 'Top of Page'”

“With ashes - Or, with a cloath, or band; (as the Hebrew doctors understand the word) whereby he bound up his wound, which probably was in his face; for it was to be made in a conspicuous place, that it might be visible to Ahab and others. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:39”

“disguised: Kg1 14:2, Kg1 22:30; Sa2 14:2; Mat 6:16 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:39”

“With these wounds he placed himself in the king's path, and disguised himself (יתחפּשׂ as in Sa1 28:8) by a bandage over his eyes. אפר does not mean ashes (Syr., Vulg., Luth., etc.), but corresponds to the Chaldee מעפרא, head-band, τελαμών (lxx). 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:39”