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I suspect the opposite is true. He was killed, and his later followers decided that this “must have been” part of a larger plan,

Not so, there are many scriptures which contradict that idea.

Mathew 4
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

It is very plain that Jesus could have been king to all of the world, not just Israel if that is what he had of been after.

John 18:36
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Also why do you think he said three swords were enough? it is plain that with only three swords his apostles would not be too willing to fight but would be enough of a threat to make the guards willing to negotiate.

If the apostles would have had no weapons they would have all been taken, not just Jesus, Jesus did not want any of his apostles taken nor killed.

If all of his apostles would have had weapons it would have been a bloody battle, Jesus may or may not have been taken and some of the apostles would likely have been killed.

Any of these scriptures alone shows that Jesus did not have the king ship of Israel in mind.

Luke 9:27
But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

Luke 17:21
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

We can see right there that Jesus does not have his mind on earthly things but heavenly things.