"When David Heard" is a contemporary a cappella setting of the death of David's son Absolom by composer Benjamin Broening. Originally composed as a mixed voice setting by Broening in 1988, a men's voice version was commissioned by John Liepold for the Virginia Glee Club's 1992-1993 season.
The work sets the text of the Thomas Tomkins anthem "When David Heard" in a challenging arrangement that dramatically shifts key and tonality several times, representing the grieving of David. There is a solo voice line setting of David's lament "Would to God I had died for thee, my son," sung by Matthew Benko during the 1992-1993 season.
The Virginia Glee Club performed "When David Heard" during the 1992-1993 season as part of a set of pieces based on the story of David and Absolom. The men's voice version received its premiere at the Kickoff Concert (1992) on October 24, 1992. The group recorded it on Music for a Noble Acoustic.