John Gill Commentary 1 Kings 20:38

"So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes." — 1 Kings 20:38 (ASV)

So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way ,
&c.] 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 (1 Kings 20:41) .