The other problem is that elders have different personalities and opinions.
I have seen in the past two individuals who both committed the same sin (according to the WT definition of a sin) apply to be reinstated. The first person met with the 'entrenched in their way' three elderly elders who weighed up the evidence and said NO emphatically.
The second person met with three different elders two of whom were newly appointed. This trio looked at the evidence and welcomed this second person back wholeheartedly.
I think you have seen something similar with your experience.
But that in itself shows that in spite of the prayers said by elders asking for divine guidance it is clear that holy spirit isn't directing their decisions. It's just men. And mostly opinionated men desperate to cling on to their high ranking status of elder by towing the company line.