מלכים א, פרק י״א, פסוק ט״ז

The military campaign in Edom was a prolonged operation designed to achieve an absolute victory. Joab remained in the region for six months alongside the entire Israelite fighting force that participated in the war [רד״ק]. The purpose of this long stay was to finish burying the dead, as well as to continue the fighting until they had killed [שטיינזלץ] every male in Edom [רד״ק].