That he might sooner gain access to the king, and audience from him. See Poole on "1 Kings 20:35". With ashes; whereby he changed the colour of it. Or, with a veil, 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.
Related Commentaries of 1 Kings 20:38
1 Kings 20:38
38 So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.