What did the Jews of Jesus' day consider the high point of Israel's history?
The Jews of Jesus' day regarded the kingdom of David and Solomon, especially Solomon's glorious reign, as the high point of Israel's history. The Queen of Sheba testified that the half had not been told. The twelve expected such a kingdom to be restored, but with Messiah as a greater than Solomon.
Les explains that in the thinking of the Jews of Jesus' day, the kingdom that stood as the high point in all of Israel's history was David's and Solomon's, especially Solomon's. It was arrayed in such glory that the Queen of Sheba said the half had not yet been told. The twelve understood that this kind of kingdom was once again going to be brought back to the nation of Israel, but instead of a Solomon it would be a greater than Solomon—the Messiah who would be their King. So they asked Him whether He would at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel.