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What is the background of the design?
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1. What is this about?
Here you see the confessional of “King David”.
It is designed to help churchgoers.
Towards rest, peace, and to stand righteous before God.
Perhaps even a royal invitation.
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Imagine:
Your conscience won’t let you rest.
You’ve kept something to yourself. You’ve hurt someone. You feel remorse.
Should you come clean or not?
The people of Amsterdam knew this feeling all too well.
That’s why Amsterdam’s popular confessional church has no fewer than 8 permanent confessionals.
Plus one spare.
More than any other church in Amsterdam.
Why go to confession?
For peace of mind.
Anonymously and protected by the seal of confession.
How does the church help?
Through images and words.
The ‘King David’ confessional depicts his struggle in wood and text.
To help you take that first step.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Decorative arch
2.1 Decorative arch, inviting quotes
2.1 Decorative arch, inviting quotes
Above the confessional, on the left and right, you see:
Left: “I have sinned against the Lord”
Right: “The Lord has taken away your sin”
Sculpture
of King David
2.2 King David in wood
You see:
A crown, referring to David's kingship and responsibility.
A staff, symbolizing authority and leadership.
A hand on the chest, representing reflection, repentance, and penance.
Woodcarving, drawing
2.3 A struggle carved in wood
Deception towards guilt, unrest and discontent: a demon
Guidance towards innocence, rest and peace: an angel
3. Background: why it makes sense
3. Background: why it makes sense
3.1 What is the confessional threshold?
3.1 What is the confessional threshold?
Imagine: your conscience is gnawing at you. You are considering going to confession. Should I do it or not? Taking the step into the confessional can be nerve-wracking. Why does it feel that way?
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The confessional threshold is in your head.
It is worth saying your mistakes out loud. Four common causes are:
Shame:Afraid of what the priest thinks
Vulnerability:You expose yourself, that feels unsafe
Despite: Hard to admit you were wrong
Debt:Your mistakes feel too heavy to say out loud
Why confess, after all?
There is also a force that invites:
No punishment, but remission: The priest does not condemn. He helps to heal.
Priests are not afraid of anything.They have already heard everything. Respect for honesty.
Confessional secrecy is absolute:What you say remains between you, the priest, and God.
It provides relief: Speaking it out clears your head. A clean slate.
The struggle recognizable in wood
Look at the details in the ornamental arch: see the demon and the angel.
The demon prevents him from confessing. The angel helps and points to the Lamb of God.
That battle in your head is normal. Art reminds you of it.
3.2 What about King David?
3.2 What about King David?
From shepherd to king of Israel. Made Jerusalem the capital. Defeated Goliath.
Poet of the Psalms. Ancestor of Jesus.
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Hero and musician
Everyone knows David and Goliath.
With a sling and a stone, he defeated the giant.
And so, he became a hero in one fell swoop. But David was also a musician.
He wrote songs.
We now know them as the Psalms.
You still read them in the Bible.
The King of Jerusalem
As king, David brought groups together.
He conquered Jerusalem.
And made it the capital. Today, millions come here.
To walk where David walked.
A person with flaws
David stood close to God.
He wanted to do the right thing. But he was not perfect.
He made choices with deep regret.
That is precisely why his story is relatable.
Even now.
3.3 His serious misstep
3.3 His serious misstep
David had everything. Yet things went wrong.
He saw Bathsheba. Slept with her. Had her husband killed.
He thought no one saw it. But it became known anyway.
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The misstep
David had everything. Then things went wrong.
He saw Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah.
He had her come. She became pregnant.
To hide it, he sent Uria to the front.
Uria was killed.
David thought: my secret is safe.
But God did see it.
How could a king fall?
In small steps.
He stayed at home while his army fought.
From his roof he saw Bathsheba.
He gave in to lust. Only to himself.
Relatable, even now
Secrets. Adultery. Abuse of power.
'No one sees it,' we think.
David thought that too. But guilt comes out.
Through remarks. Through suspicion.
Warning and the hope
Beware of the first, secret step.
But there is always a way out.
To clean up angrily.
3.4 He pleaded guilty
3.4 He pleaded guilty
David wanted to hide his mistakes.
It didn't work.
He was confronted. He pleaded guilty.
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David thought: my secret is safe.
But God the Lord saw it. God sent the prophet Nathan.
Nathan told a story about a rich man who stole a lamb.
David became furious.
Then Nathan said, "You are that man." David was startled.
He saw his mistake.
He pleaded guilty.
Changed heart
He stopped lying.
He no longer ran away.
Pride turned into humility.
Remorse became real.
Greatness
True greatness is not being perfect.
True greatness is daring to admit it.
Stepping towards the light.
Asking for help.
3.5 Receiving forgiveness: this is how he knew
3.5 Receiving forgiveness: this is how he knew
Through the Prophet Nathan, he was promised forgiveness the moment he admitted guilt.
The burden lifted. Guilt melted like snow in the sun. Joy returned to his prayers.
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Immediately
David confessed: ‘I have sinned.’
Immediately Nathan said on God’s behalf:
‘The Lord has taken away your sin.’ He heard it.
With his own ears.
No more doubt. Deep down
As long as he remained silent, he was unwell.
Both body and soul.
After his confession, the burden fell away.
The struggle ceased.
Peace returned.
Joy
That joy was his proof.
God did not forsake him.
He was given a clean slate. Read for yourself in:
Psalm 32 and Psalm 51
In Psalm 51:14: "Let me hear of joy and gladness again" in
Psalm 32:1: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven
"King David" Confessional
"King David" Confessional
Conclusion: Does the design lower the threshold for confession?
Conclusion: Does the design lower the threshold for confession?
The design is actually a royal invitation.
It helps, it provides support. It significantly lowers the threshold for confession.
To clean up the heart.
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1. No mistake too big
David: adultery and murder.
Forgiveness nonetheless. God's love is greater.
2. No rejection
"I have sinned" → "You are forgiven."
No judgment. But grace.
3. A priest helps
Natan held up a mirror to David.
The priest does that in confession as well.
4. You are not alone
Even the greatest king failed.
Admitting mistakes is royal.
5. Hiding is pointless
God already saw it.
The truth will come out eventually.
6. Evil grows in steps
No one starts as a murderer.
Confession stops the growth in time.
Conclusion
The design is not decoration.
It is an invitation:
Speak out. Walk out with a cheerful attitude. Just like David.
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